Ask the expert: Can I use medical cannabis during pregnancy?

Questions around consuming medical cannabis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding come up a lot. Here, an expert explains what you might need to consider. 

If you are reliant on a cannabis prescription to manage a long-term health condition, the thought of having to give this up during pregnancy can be a concern for many women.

The potential risks of medicinal cannabis for the baby are still relatively unknown, particularly as the only existing data in this area has been collected from those consuming cannabis recreationally and without the guidance of a clinician.

However, it’s also important to consider what the impact of not having access to the treatment might be – for mother and baby.

We have previously covered this issue in more detail here:

Medical cannabis and pregnancy – what you need to know

Cannabis Health expert, Dr Dani Gordon, an experienced prescriber of cannabis medicines, has has given an overview of what you need to know, should you find yourself in this position. 

Q: Will I be able to use medical cannabis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? 

A: Generally it’s a no at this point, due to the potential risk. Both CBD and THC cross the placenta and the endocannabinoid system is important in foetal and infant development, so using the precautionary principle I do not prescribe or recommend use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

That being said, harm reduction is also an important consideration for many patients and it is not always so black and white. For example, in patients with epilepsy who have not responded to other medicines and their seizures are well controlled with cannabis, that may be a place to consider it.  

The same applies for someone who may be self-medicating for their anxiety disorder or treatment-resistant pain, using black market cannabis. By changing them to very low-THC high-CBD medical cannabis, you are possibly reducing their harm risk and providing them a safer option after a risk assessment.

In Canada, this is clearer because without a prescription, patients can still legally get cannabis and use it themselves so the case for prescribing for a harm reduction reason is stronger. At the end of the day, it’s what is best for the patient in front of you and this is all part of the art of medicine. 

If you are pregnant, or considering getting pregnant, speak to your cannabis clinician straight away.

Dr Dani Gordon is a double board certified doctor and world-leading expert in cannabinoid and integrative medicine having treated thousands of patients with medical cannabis. Her UK medical practice focuses on cannabinoid and integrative medicine for women’s health and mental health. She is vice chair of the UK Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society and trained the UK’s first cannabis specialist physicians.

Got a question or a topic you would like her to discuss? Email us at editor@handwmedia.co.uk or contact us on Twitter @CannabisHNews or Instagram @cannabishealthmag

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