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Cannabis
Cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding can affect a developing fetus or baby. However, there are still important gaps in what we know about its effects.
Learn what the evidence tells us about cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding, including potential health effects, reasons people may use cannabis and ways to reduce potential harms.
Featured resources:
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NEW! Your Questions: Cannabis, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding
Many people have questions about cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. You’re not alone and it’s okay to ask.
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NEW! Starting Healthcare Conversations: Cannabis, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding/chestfeeding, planning a pregnancy or even just thinking about it, you may have questions about cannabis. Talking with a healthcare provider can help you make informed decisions for yourself and your baby
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Is It OK to Use Cannabis During Pregnancy and While Breastfeeding?
Get key information about how cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding can affect a developing fetus or baby.
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Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis: Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Explore the clinical evidence on cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding, potential effects and gaps in our knowledge.
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Communications toolkit
Use these additional tools to communicate directly with audiences:
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Podcast clips
For use on social media channels.
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Social media assets
For use on social media channels.
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Evidence snapshot
Adapt or use as is for website content, blog posts, newsletter content, etc.
Explore information and resources
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Alcohol
Alcohol use during pregnancy can affect fetal development and lead to lifelong health and social effects. When pregnant or trying to get pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol use.
Alcohol can also pass into breast milk. When breastfeeding/chestfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest.
Learn about alcohol and pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding, the health risks associated with alcohol use and ways to reduce alcohol-related harms.
Featured resources:
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Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
Learn about the health risks associated with alcohol, including considerations for pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
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Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health, Public Summary: Drinking Less Is Better (Poster)
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use in pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Read the summary of recommendations included in Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health in simple terms and illustrations.
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Alcohol and Pregnancy Tip Sheet
This fact sheet was developed in partnership with Families Canada is to support families in learning more about alcohol and its effects on pregnant individuals and babies. It is available in six languages.
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Drink Less. Live More.
Make the most informed decisions you can about drinking alcohol. Any reduction in the amount you drink can help improve your health.
Other substances
Different substances can have different effects during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. This includes opioids, stimulants, nicotine, prescription medications and other substances.
For some substances, suddenly stopping use can also carry health risks. Healthcare providers can help people understand the potential benefits and risks and identify appropriate treatment, harm reduction and support options.
Resources for healthcare and service providers
Healthcare and service providers play an important role in supporting people who use substances during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
Stigma can make it more difficult for people to talk openly about their substance use or seek healthcare and other supports. Person-centred, compassionate and evidence-informed approaches can help build trust and support informed decision making.
Explore research, evidence summaries and practical resources to support conversations about substance use during pregnancy and breastfeeding/chestfeeding
- Cannabis Education for Health Care Providers Toolkit | UBC CPD
- Cannabis Harm Reduction • NB Lung
- Alcohol Use in Pregnancy and Postpartum
Alcohol Use: Screening for alcohol use in pregnancy | CAMH
Find more information and support
Everyone's circumstances are different. Healthcare and substance use health professionals can provide information and support based on individual needs and goals.
Explore other evidence-informed resources or talk to a healthcare provider about questions related to substance use, pregnancy or breastfeeding/chestfeeding.
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Explore CCSA’s Guidance, Tools and Resources
All our research-based publications, tools and resources are divided into six different categories of interest. They support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the choices below:
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Substances
Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics.
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Personal and Societal Impacts
Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being.
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Communities
Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction.
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Treatment and Prevention
Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders.
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Youth
Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth.
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Substance Use and the Workplace
Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries.
