What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Substance use & misuse on August 3, 2026.

Prenatal cannabis advice shapes breastfeeding risk perceptions

Q: What did this research study find?

Only **25.46%** of participants reported receiving prenatal advice about cannabis use while breastfeeding, indicating that counseling was limited.

Advice About Cannabis Use While Breastfeeding, Maternal Risk Perceptions, and Perinatal Cannabis Use: A Cross-Sectional Study of 2017-2021 PRAMS Data.

Substance use & misuse • August 3, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This cross-sectional study analyzed 2017–2021 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System across 10 U.S. sites, representing a weighted sample of 794,866 participants. Only 25.46% reported receiving prenatal advice about cannabis use while breastfeeding. People who were asked about their breastfeeding intentions were more likely to report receiving this counseling than those who were not asked.

Those who received advice were also more likely to view cannabis use while breastfeeding as unsafe. Because the study was observational and cross-sectional, it shows an association rather than proving that counseling caused changes in beliefs or cannabis use. Still, the findings suggest that prenatal counseling remains limited and that stronger patient-provider communication could improve understanding of cannabis-related risks during lactation and the perinatal period.

💡 Key Findings

Only 25.46% of participants reported receiving prenatal advice about cannabis use while breastfeeding, indicating that counseling was limited.

Good

75%

People who were asked about their breastfeeding intentions were more likely to report receiving cannabis-related advice (27.77% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001).

Good

75%

Receiving prenatal advice was associated with a greater likelihood of viewing cannabis use while breastfeeding as unsafe (p < 0.001).

Good

75%

The authors conclude that strengthening patient-provider communication may improve understanding of cannabis-related risks during breastfeeding.

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

Clinical guidelines discourage cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation. The extent to which prenatal advice about cannabis use while breastfeeding is associated with maternal risk perceptions and perinatal cannabis use, however, remains unclear. We analyzed 2017-2021 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 10 U.S. sites that included questions on cannabis counseling, examining the association between prenatal advice received during prenatal care about cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation and perceived safety of cannabis use while breastfeeding and perinatal cannabis use patterns. We conducted descriptive analyses using weighted descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Among the weighted sample (N = 794,866), 25.46% (95% CI: 24.32, 26.62) reported receiving advice. There were significant sociodemographic differences in women who reported they were advised against breastfeeding while using cannabis compared to those that were not advised. Women who were asked about breastfeeding intentions more frequently reported receiving advice (27.77% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001). Women who received advice were also more likely to report that cannabis use while breastfeeding was not safe (p < 0.001). Prenatal counseling about cannabis use while breastfeeding remains limited but is associated with maternal risk perceptions. Strengthening patient-provider communication during prenatal care may improve maternal understanding of cannabis-related risks.