Cannabis Use During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

Key Takeaways:

Cannabis use during pregnancy is not safe in any form. THC and THCA both deliver the same psychoactive compound to your baby, potentially affecting brain and nervous system development.
“Legal” products aren’t necessarily safe. THCA flower, hemp-derived THC, and many CBD products may still contain THC or contaminants that can harm fetal growth.
THC reaches your baby no matter how it’s consumed. Whether smoked, eaten, or sipped in a drink, THC crosses the placenta and increases the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and developmental delays.
There are safe, medical alternatives for symptom relief. Talk with your provider about proven options for nausea, anxiety, and sleep issues that support your comfort and your baby’s health.

Various glass bottles with CBD oil, THC tincture and hemp leaves

Cannabis products, from edibles and THC drinks to “legal” THCA flower, are becoming easier to find across Wisconsin. While these products may seem like a natural or harmless alternative for managing pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness or nausea, it’s important to know: cannabis use is not safe during pregnancy, in any form.

In this article, we’ll explain why you’re noticing more cannabis products in Wisconsin, what makes THC, THCA, and even CBD risky for your baby, and other safe alternatives for pregnancy-related symptom relief.

How Cannabis Became So Widely Available in Wisconsin

In recent years, Wisconsin has seen a surge in cannabis-related products, largely due to legal gaps in the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill legalized hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% THC, but many manufacturers found a gray area — selling THCA, a compound that converts into THC when heated or metabolized.

Because THCA is tested before it becomes psychoactive, it falls below the legal limit, allowing these products to be sold in shops and marketed as “hemp” or “legal cannabis.” The result: dispensaries and THC drink brands are now widely available, even though their effects on the body mirror traditional marijuana.

THC vs. THCA — What’s the Difference?

The terms THC and THCA are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same, at least not until one turns into the other. Understanding the difference helps explain why these products are now appearing in Wisconsin stores and why they remain unsafe to use during pregnancy.

THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, the one responsible for producing a “high.” It affects areas of the brain that control memory, coordination, pleasure, and perception. When used during pregnancy, THC easily crosses the placenta, allowing it to reach the developing baby and potentially interfere with brain and nervous system development.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) is the precursor to THC. It’s found in raw or unheated cannabis plants and, in that form, doesn’t cause psychoactive effects. However, when THCA is heated, smoked, vaped, or baked into edibles, it converts into THC. That means even if a product is sold legally as “THCA flower” or “hemp-derived,” once it’s consumed, it behaves the same way in your body as marijuana.

But from a medical standpoint, there’s no meaningful difference between THC and THCA once the product is used: both deliver THC into your bloodstream and can negatively impact your baby’s growth and development.

Looking for more prenatal help and guidance? Download our Prenatal Care Guide!

How Cannabis Enters the Body — Smoking, Edibles, and THC Drinks

No matter how cannabis is used or consumed, the active compounds — primarily THC — are absorbed into your bloodstream and can reach your baby through the placenta. However, different methods of use affect how quickly and how strongly THC enters your system.

Smoking or Vaping Cannabis

When cannabis is smoked or vaped, THC is absorbed almost instantly through the lungs. This creates an immediate “high,” but also sends a quick and concentrated dose of THC into the bloodstream. From there, it can cross the placenta and enter the baby’s developing system within minutes. Smoke exposure also contains harmful chemicals, similar to those in tobacco smoke, which can increase risks for low birth weight and preterm birth.

Edibles and Gummies

Edibles may seem like a safer alternative because they do not involve smoke, but the body processes them differently. When consumed, THC from edibles travels through the digestive system and is metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. During this process, THC is converted into a more potent compound called 11-hydroxy-THC, which can intensify and prolong the effects.

Because it takes longer for these effects to appear (sometimes up to two hours), users may mistakenly consume more than intended. This can lead to higher and more sustained levels of THC exposure for both mother and baby.

THC-Infused Drinks

THC beverages are one of the newest and fastest-growing trends in Wisconsin. Marketed as mild or relaxing, these drinks still deliver measurable amounts of THC to your bloodstream. The effects can last several hours and even “low-dose” drinks can cause prolonged exposure for the developing baby.

Regardless of how it’s consumed—smoked, eaten, or sipped—THC still reaches your baby. The method of use may affect how quickly it’s absorbed, but the health risks remain the same. Any form of THC consumption is not safe for your baby.

The Risks of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

The bottom line is there still needs to be a lot more research on cannabis use during pregnancy, and the research we do have has shown prenatal cannabis exposure may increase the risk of:

Low birth weight
Preterm birth
Stillbirth
Developmental delays

THC can also affect your baby’s brain development, potentially leading to problems with attention, memory, and behavior later in childhood.

For these reasons, experts like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly advise avoiding cannabis in any form during pregnancy.

But What About CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound found in the cannabis plant, commonly added to products like oils, gummies, lotions, and drinks. It’s often marketed as a natural remedy for anxiety, pain, and sleep issues.

Many people assume that because CBD doesn’t cause a “high” like THC, it’s safe to use during pregnancy, but that isn’t the case. Research on CBD use in pregnancy is still limited, and experts do not yet fully understand how it may affect fetal growth or brain development. Due to these uncertainties, both the ACOG and FDA recommend avoiding CBD and all cannabis-derived products while pregnant or breastfeeding.

While CBD is legal in Wisconsin, legal doesn’t always mean safe. Most CBD products are not well regulated, and testing has shown that some labeled “THC-free” actually contain trace amounts of THC or other contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents. These substances can enter the bloodstream and may affect your baby’s development.

Safe Alternatives for Pregnancy-Related Symptom Relief

If you’re struggling with pregnancy symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or trouble sleeping, it can be tempting to look for quick relief, but there are safe, medically recommended options that won’t put your baby at risk.

Morning sickness and nausea: Try eating small, frequent meals and keeping bland snacks, like crackers, on hand. Ginger tea, vitamin B6 supplements, or prescription medications like doxylamine (when approved by your provider) can also help ease nausea.
Anxiety or stress: Gentle movement such as prenatal yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and talking with a counselor or support group can help calm nerves naturally.
Sleep problems: Establish a bedtime routine, limit screen time before bed, and use pillows to find a comfortable sleeping position. If sleeplessness persists, ask your provider about safe sleep aids or relaxation techniques.
Pain or discomfort: Prenatal massage, warm (not hot) baths, stretching, or the use of approved over-the-counter options can provide relief, always under your provider’s guidance.

Download our Medication Guide During Pregnancy!

If you’re seeking relief from pregnancy symptoms like nausea, stress, or sleeplessness, talk with your Moreland OB-GYN provider. They can help you find safe, medically approved alternatives that support both your comfort and your baby’s health.

Cannabis Use While Breastfeeding

Even after pregnancy, it’s important to continue avoiding cannabis in any form while breastfeeding. Just like during pregnancy, the compounds in cannabis, especially THC, can pass directly from your body into your breast milk and to your baby.

THC is stored in body fat, and because it’s released slowly over time, it can stay in your system and in breast milk for days or even weeks. When a baby ingests breast milk containing THC, it can build up in their body and potentially affect brain development, behavior, feeding, and sleep patterns.

Because babies process THC much more slowly than adults, even occasional use can lead to continuous exposure through daily feedings. This makes it impossible to know exactly how much THC or other compounds your baby is receiving.

For your baby’s safety, it’s best to avoid all cannabis products while breastfeeding.

Learn more about the importance of the fourth trimester and postpartum care.

Your Moreland OB-GYN Provider Is Here For You

When it comes to pregnancy, your safety and your baby’s health are always the top priorities. Research has shown that cannabis use during pregnancy can pose serious risks to fetal development, and medical experts agree: there’s no known safe amount or form of cannabis use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

At Moreland OB-GYN, we’re here to help you feel supported, informed, and cared for every step of the way. If you’re experiencing symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or sleeplessness, talk with your provider or your Moreland pregnancy navigator. Together, we’ll find safe, proven solutions that ease your discomfort and protect your growing baby.

Looking for additional pregnancy resources? Check out the links below!