Cannabis use in pregnancy: a harm reduction approach is needed with a focus on prevention and positive intervention

Commentary on: Corsi DJ, Walsh L, Weiss D, et al . Association between self-reported prenatal cannabis use and maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes. JAMA 2019;322:145–52. Cannabis use is increasing in North America among young people aged 15 to 24 years including women who are pregnant. With recent legalisation in multiple jurisdictions, and discussion about its medical benefits for a variety of conditions, it is anticipated that cannabis use may further increase during pregnancy. Cannabinoids can readily cross the placenta and may disrupt the complex fetal endogenous cannabinoid signalling system. This may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous studies have varied in methodology and treatment of confounding …