Rationale: Although cannabis is not approved to treat pregnancy-related conditions, approximately 1 in 20 pregnant individuals report cannabis use at some time during pregnancy. Outcomes of this for both mothers and their children are the subject of much research.

Method: This correlational study was conducted between January 2011 and December 2018 in Colorado. The study tracked the number of recreational dispensaries per county and cannabis-involved pregnancy hospitalizations per county. Researchers measured hospitalizations before and after recreational cannabis use laws were passed in 2014 to ask whether increased access had an effect on hospitalizations during pregnancy.

Results: Cannabis-involved pregnancy hospitalizations increased dramatically after recreational cannabis sales began in 2014. From 2011 to 2018, insurance claims per 10,000 births nearly quadrupled.

Meaning: These data suggest that access and use of cannabis during pregnancy poses a health risk for pregnant mothers.