Trends and Characteristics of Prenatal Cannabis Use in the US, 2002-2019

Introduction: The prevalence of prenatal cannabis use has nearly doubled in the U.S. from 2002 to 2017. As cannabis legalization continues to expand, this study aimed to estimate the recent trends in the prevalence of cannabis use, cannabis dependence, and cannabis risk perceptions among U.S. pregnant people. Methods: The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002-2019) was designed to be representative of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. The study sample included pregnant participants (aged 12-44 years; n=15,109). Cannabis consumption was defined as using cannabis at least once in the 30 days before assessment. Past 12-month cannabis dependence was defined on the basis of the DSM-IV. Joinpoint regression was used to test for significant changes in the trends while controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and family income. Analyses were conducted between August 2021 and April 2022. Results: No evidence of change in the prevalence of prenatal cannabis use was detected between 2016-2017 (5.8%) and 2018-2019 (4.7%) (prevalence difference= -1.1; 95% CI= -2.9, 0.7). The prevalence of cannabis dependence did not change significantly among pregnant people from 2002 to 2019. The percentage of pregnant people perceiving regular cannabis use (1-2 times/week) as a great risk remained stable from 2002 to 2007 (-53%) and declined sharply after (27%). Conclusions: Three of 4 pregnant people in the U.S. do not characterize regular cannabis use as a great risk. As cannabis legalization increases, public health efforts are needed to raise awareness of the possible harms associated with cannabis use. (C) 2022 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The prevalence of prenatal cannabis use has nearly doubled in the U.S. from 2002 to 2017. However, there has been no significant change in recent years. Cannabis dependence among pregnant people has remained stable over the past two decades. The perception of regular cannabis use as a great risk among pregnant people has decreased after 2007. With the increasing legalization of cannabis, there is a need for public health efforts to raise awareness of the potential harms associated with cannabis use.