What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health, Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.) on January 1, 2026.

Why people use cannabis changes before, during, and after pregnancy

Q: What did this Review find?

**Medical and therapeutic motives appeared in 97% of observations** and were linked with persistent and frequent *cannabis* use.

Cannabis Use Motives Across the Reproductive Continuum: An Integrative Literature Review.

Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.) • January 1, 2026 • Review • Highly Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

This integrative literature review examined why people use cannabis across the reproductive continuum, including before conception, during pregnancy, and after birth. The review included 33 studies, most of which focused on the prenatal period. Because no studies focused exclusively on preconception, the authors synthesized 45 period-specific observations overall.

Medical and therapeutic reasons were the most consistent motive, appearing in 97% of the observations and being associated with more persistent and frequent use. Coping motives were also connected to use behavior and were especially prominent postpartum, while recreational and social motives appeared more often before conception. The authors conclude that understanding these changing motives could support non-stigmatizing, personalized interventions, improve communication with healthcare providers, and recognize the symptoms or benefits that users report without endorsing cannabis use during pregnancy.

💡 Key Findings

Medical and therapeutic motives appeared in 97% of observations and were linked with persistent and frequent cannabis use.

High

80%

Coping motives were associated with use behavior and were more prominent postpartum than during preconception or prenatal periods (100% vs. 80% vs. 79%).

High

80%

Recreational and social motives appeared more often before conception, showing that reasons for cannabis use vary across reproductive periods.

Good

75%

The review concludes that discussing motives may enable more tailored, non-stigmatizing interventions and help bridge communication barriers between patients and healthcare providers.

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

Cannabis is one of the most used substances in pregnancy, with an estimated 10% of U.S. pregnancies affected by cannabis use. Although research has linked fetal cannabis exposure to potential risks, many pregnant women continue to use cannabis for diverse medical and nonmedical reasons. Motives for substance use are modifiable targets for intervention that can be leveraged for tailored intervention and prevention strategies, yet little work has been done to integrate women's motives for cannabis use across the reproductive continuum. To address this gap, this integrative review examines literature on cannabis motives across reproductive time periods using the Whittemore and Knafl approach, to map the range of motives reported across studies, synthesize distinct motives into meaningful categories, and examine how motives are related to cannabis use behavior-including frequency, initiation and persistence. Overall, 33 studies met inclusion criteria with 27 focused on the prenatal period and no studies exclusively on preconception, for a total of 45 period-specific observations. Across the reproductive continuum, medical/therapeutic motives were frequently reported (97%) and were linked to persistent and frequent use. Coping motives were also linked to use behavior and were more prominent during postpartum compared to preconception or prenatal periods (100% vs. 80% vs. 79%, respectively). Recreational and social motives appeared more often preconception. Altogether, motives for cannabis use were varied and dynamic, but medical motives were the most consistent across the reproductive continuum. Motives can provide a framework for non-stigmatizing intervention that distinguishes symptom driven use, bridges provider communication barriers, and acknowledges patient reported benefits.