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Cannabis

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There is no safe amount or way to use cannabis while pregnant. ​Using cannabis while pregnant can be harmful to your baby before and after birth. Cannabis can pass through the placenta to your growing baby. It can also pass from breastmilk to your baby during breastfeeding.

Cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause:

  • lower birth weight
  • problems with brain development, learning, and behaviour
  • problems with sleep and self-soothing (how babies calm themselves)
  • slower growth​

If you’re thinking about using cannabis to treat your nausea or morning sickness, talk to your healthcare provider. There are safer ways to treat nausea during pregnancy.

If you use cannabis while breastfeeding, it may:

  • change your mood
  • change how you make decisions (your judgment)

There is no known safe amount of cannabis to use while breastfeeding. It's safer not to use cannabis when you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Find out more about the effects of cannabis.




Current as of: July 25, 2023

Author: Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services