Cannabinoid Encyclopedia

Focused research review

Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics: what the research says

Which cannabinoid evidence requires heightened review for pregnancy, pediatric, or developmental contexts?

Updated July 2026 30 research sources Human research included

The short answer

What is the bottom line?

Research has examined Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics. This page brings together 5 human-study sources, 18 research reviews, and 1 lab, animal, or mechanism source. The source set includes human research as well as earlier-stage studies. The studies do not all test the same product, dose, group of people, or outcome, so they cannot be reduced to one answer for every person or product. 1

Choose your next step

Want the quick path or the full picture?

Use this guide the way you need to. Start with the practical question, then open the study detail only when it helps answer something about Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics.

What researchers studiedSee the main areas and the evidence behind each one. Safety and limitsKeep product, dose, medications, and context in view. Open the sourcesGo directly to the studies and references used here.

Key takeaways

What to know first

  1. 1

    Research on Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics covers Pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts; those areas should not be combined into one claim. 1

  2. 2

    The source set includes human research as well as earlier-stage studies. 2

  3. 3

    Dose, formulation, route, study population, and outcome can change how closely a study applies to a real-world question. 3

Research areas

What researchers studied about Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics

These are the main questions represented in the current literature. Each link opens a source used to build the overview.

Too limited for a firm answer

Pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts

This part of the literature focuses on Pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. Studies may use different compounds, formulations, doses, routes, groups of people, and outcomes, so the details of each source matter. 2

How strong is the research?

Not every study answers the same question

This page separates research in people, research reviews, and earlier-stage biology before interpreting the larger question.

5 sources

Human studies

Research involving people is closest to everyday health questions. The product, dose, population, and outcome still determine what each study can show.

18 sources

Reviews and evidence summaries

Reviews can compare several studies at once. Their conclusion is only as strong and as relevant as the studies they include.

1 source

Lab, animal, and mechanism research

Early-stage research can explain biological interest. It cannot, by itself, show that the same effect happens in people.

Another 6 of 30 research sources could not be placed cleanly into those three groups from the recorded study details.

What these studies actually looked at

The research on Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics is not one kind of study. This source set includes 13 narrative or expert reviews, 5 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, 3 clinical studies in people, and 1 animal study. 3

The recorded populations or models include pregnancy, lactation, or reproductive context (17 sources) and pediatric, adolescent, or developmental context (12 sources). A result from one group or model should not be assumed to apply to another. 4

The most common recorded outcome focus is pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts (30 sources). Closely related outcome names can still describe different measurements. 5

The Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics source set also contains findings or reviews that remain too limited, indirect, or mixed for a broad answer. That uncertainty is part of the result, not an empty space to fill with assumptions. 6

Examples from the literature

What did the studies actually look at?

Each example names the research question and the study details recorded for that source.

narrative or expert review

[Consequences of tobacco, cocaine and cannabis consumption during pregnancy on the pregnancy itself, on the newborn and on child development: A review].

On this page, this source examines Cannabinoids and pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. 1

Study type
narrative or expert review
Population or model
pediatric, adolescent, or developmental context
Outcome focus
pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts
Evidence stage
evidence still limited

systematic review or meta-analysis

Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies.

On this page, this source examines CBD and pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. 2

Study type
systematic review or meta-analysis
Population or model
pregnancy, lactation, or reproductive context
Outcome focus
pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts
Evidence stage
evidence still limited

human research

Variation in Hospital Practices Regarding Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and Lactation.

On this page, this source examines Cannabinoids and pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. 3

Population or model
pregnancy, lactation, or reproductive context
Outcome focus
pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts
Evidence stage
human research

clinical study in people

Effects of maternal edible THC consumption on offspring lung growth and function in a rhesus macaque model.

On this page, this source examines THC and pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. 4

Study type
clinical study in people
Population or model
pregnancy, lactation, or reproductive context
Outcome focus
pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts
Evidence stage
mechanism-focused research

animal study

Oral Consumption of Cannabidiol During Pregnancy Alters Behavior in Mouse Offspring.

On this page, this source examines CBD and pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts. 5

Study type
animal study
Population or model
pregnancy, lactation, or reproductive context
Outcome focus
pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, adolescent, or developmental contexts
Evidence stage
preclinical research

Safety and limits

What should readers keep in mind?

Research on Cannabinoids and pregnancy/pediatrics should be read beside safety. A compound can be non-intoxicating or naturally occurring and still have pharmacologic effects, side effects, interactions, or product-quality concerns. 2

Research doses are descriptions of what a study tested. They are not personal dosing instructions. Questions involving medications, pregnancy, children, driving, liver health, heart health, or serious symptoms deserve professional medical guidance.

Drug interactions Pregnancy and children Driving and impairment All safety topics

Common questions

Questions people ask

Which cannabinoid evidence requires heightened review for pregnancy, pediatric, or developmental contexts?

Relevant research is collected here. The source set includes human research as well as earlier-stage studies. 7

Why is there not always a yes-or-no answer?

The sources may test different products, doses, people, and outcomes, so a single conclusion can hide important differences. 8

Where can I read the original studies?

Use the numbered citations and the source list at the bottom of the page to open PubMed or DOI records. 9

Sources

Read the research

The numbered sources below support the main overview. Links open the PubMed record or DOI in a new tab.

  1. 1
    [Consequences of tobacco, cocaine and cannabis consumption during pregnancy on the pregnancy itself, on the newborn and on child development: A review]. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited PubMed 25439854 DOI 10.1016/j.encep.2014.08.012
  2. 2
    Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 37648266 DOI 10.1136/bmj-2022-072348
  3. 3
    Variation in Hospital Practices Regarding Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and Lactation. human research PubMed 37729034 DOI 10.1089/bfm.2023.0138
  4. 4
    Effects of maternal edible THC consumption on offspring lung growth and function in a rhesus macaque model. clinical study in people; mechanism-focused research PubMed 39903192 DOI 10.1152/ajplung.00360.2024
  5. 5
    Oral Consumption of Cannabidiol During Pregnancy Alters Behavior in Mouse Offspring. animal study; preclinical research PubMed 41840986 DOI 10.1177/25785125251413416
  6. 6
    Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 36730710 DOI 10.1089/can.2022.0262
  7. 7
    Clinical efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for pediatric refractory epilepsy indications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 36206805 DOI 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114238
  8. 8
    Highly Purified Cannabidiol for Epilepsy Treatment: A Systematic Review of Epileptic Conditions Beyond Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 33754312 DOI 10.1007/s40263-021-00807-y
  9. 9
    Risks of Cannabinoid Exposure on Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited PubMed 40589083 DOI 10.1089/can.2025.0027
  10. 10
    Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 26724101 DOI 10.1016/s1474-4422(15
  11. 11
    Development and validation of the Cannabis Exposure in Pregnancy Tool (CEPT): a mixed methods study. human research PubMed 38627667 DOI 10.1186/s12884-024-06485-0
  12. 12
    Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain: revised consensus statement from the Canadian Pain Society. clinical study in people; human research PubMed 25479151 DOI 10.1155/2014/754693
See all 30 research sources

This complete source list is the deeper research layer for the page. Study type and evidence context are shown when they are available in the current record.

  1. Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis use: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 37648266
  2. High Stakes: Exploring the Impact of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 40164212
  3. Pharmacokinetics of Cannabis and Its Derivatives in Animals and Humans During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 35903331
  4. Risks of Cannabinoid Exposure on Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 40589083
  5. Management of Pediatric Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Review. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 34035677
  6. Effects of maternal edible THC consumption on offspring lung growth and function in a rhesus macaque model. clinical study in people; mechanism-focused research / 1 linked research note PubMed 39903192
  7. Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 36730710
  8. Variation in Hospital Practices Regarding Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and Lactation. human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 37729034
  9. Association of Cannabis with Apneic Episodes in a Breastfed Infant: A Case Study. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 38469628
  10. Clinical efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for pediatric refractory epilepsy indications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 36206805
  11. Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Review. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 41296368
  12. Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 28847562
  13. Impact of cannabinoids on pregnancy, reproductive health, and offspring outcomes. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 35662548
  14. Cannabis and synaptic reprogramming of the developing brain. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 34021274
  15. Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 32943535
  16. [Consequences of tobacco, cocaine and cannabis consumption during pregnancy on the pregnancy itself, on the newborn and on child development: A review]. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 25439854
  17. Smoke Alarm. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 37651516
  18. Development and validation of the Cannabis Exposure in Pregnancy Tool (CEPT): a mixed methods study. human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 38627667
  19. Maternal cannabis use in pregnancy, perinatal outcomes, and cognitive development in offspring: a longitudinal analysis of the ALSPAC cohort using paternal cannabis use as a negative control exposure. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 40353977
  20. Longitudinal Associations Between Cannabis Use during Pregnancy and Child Cognitive, Motor, and Language Development at 2 Years Old. evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 40121379
  21. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 26724101
  22. Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain: revised consensus statement from the Canadian Pain Society. clinical study in people; human research / 1 linked research note PubMed 25479151
  23. Highly Purified Cannabidiol for Epilepsy Treatment: A Systematic Review of Epileptic Conditions Beyond Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. systematic review or meta-analysis; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 33754312
  24. An Overview of Cannabinoid Interactions With Common Pediatric Antineoplastic Agents. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 42057496
  25. Marijuana and the Pediatric Population. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 32661188
  26. Oral Consumption of Cannabidiol During Pregnancy Alters Behavior in Mouse Offspring. animal study; preclinical research / 1 linked research note PubMed 41840986
  27. Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 27139708
  28. Recreational Cannabis Use During Human Pregnancy: Its Effects on the Placenta and Endocannabinoid System. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 41683846
  29. Cannabinoid Signalling in Immune-Reproductive Crosstalk during Human Pregnancy. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 33800053
  30. Cannabis for morning sickness: areas for intervention to decrease cannabis consumption during pregnancy. narrative or expert review; evidence still limited / 1 linked research note PubMed 37330589