# Perceived Safety of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Changes in Perception over Time (2017-2021) > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/perceived-cannabis-safety-pregnancy-survey-2017-2021/ > **Published:** 2026-03-24T22:01:21-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:39:49-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore perceived cannabis safety pregnancy trends from 2017-2021 in a national US survey, highlighting shifts in public opinion and clinical implications. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #56Monitored Relevance  Early-stage or contextual signal requiring further evidence before action. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic PregnancySafetyPublic HealthPatient EducationSurvey Research Journal Journal of general internal medicine Study Type Clinical Study Population Human participants Why This Matters Perceived safety of cannabis during pregnancy has critical implications for maternal counseling and fetal health outcomes. Understanding shifting public perceptions helps clinicians address patient beliefs that may not align with current safety evidence. Clinical Summary This national survey study examined US adults’ perceptions of [cannabis safety](https://cedclinic.com/respiratory-effects-inhalational-marijuana/) during pregnancy from 2017-2021, tracking changes in public opinion over time. The study likely captured shifts in perceived risk as [cannabis legalization](https://cedclinic.com/the-forgotten-history-of-hemp-in-america/) expanded and public discourse evolved. The research provides insight into the gap between public perception and clinical evidence regarding prenatal cannabis exposure. Notable limitations include the observational nature of perception data and potential selection biases in survey respondents. Dr. Caplan’s Take “Public perception studies like this remind me that patients’ safety beliefs often diverge from clinical evidence. The trend data helps me anticipate what pregnant patients might believe about [cannabis safety](https://cedclinic.com/respiratory-effects-inhalational-marijuana/) when they walk into my office.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should proactively discuss cannabis safety during pregnancy, acknowledging that patient perceptions may be influenced by changing social attitudes rather than medical evidence. These conversations require clear, non-judgmental communication about known risks while addressing specific patient concerns and beliefs. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Perceived%20Safety%20of%20Cannabis%20Use%20During%20Pregnancy%20and%20Changes%20in%20Perception%20over...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Perceived%20Safety%20of%20Cannabis%20Use%20During%20Pregnancy%20and%20Changes%20in%20Perception%20over...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Is cannabis use during pregnancy safe?](#Is_cannabis_use_during_pregnancy_safe) - [How has public perception of cannabis safety during pregnancy changed in recent years?](#How_has_public_perception_of_cannabis_safety_during_pregnancy_changed_in_recent_years) - [What should I tell pregnant patients who ask about cannabis for morning sickness?](#What_should_I_tell_pregnant_patients_who_ask_about_cannabis_for_morning_sickness) - [Why is monitoring public perception of cannabis safety during pregnancy clinically important?](#Why_is_monitoring_public_perception_of_cannabis_safety_during_pregnancy_clinically_important) - [How should healthcare providers approach cannabis counseling with pregnant patients?](#How_should_healthcare_providers_approach_cannabis_counseling_with_pregnant_patients) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Is cannabis use during pregnancy safe? Current evidence does not support the safety of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) during pregnancy. Major medical organizations, including ACOG and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend against [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) during pregnancy due to potential risks to [fetal development](https://cedclinic.com/prenatal-cannabinoid-exposure-reproductive-health-insights/) and [maternal health](https://cedclinic.com/recreational-cannabis-birth-outcomes-study-colorado/). #### How has public perception of cannabis safety during pregnancy changed in recent years? This study examined perceptions from 2017-2021 and found changes in how the public views cannabis safety during pregnancy. Understanding these perception trends is important for healthcare providers to address misconceptions and provide evidence-based counseling to pregnant patients. #### What should I tell pregnant patients who ask about cannabis for morning sickness? Advise patients that while some may perceive cannabis as helpful for nausea, there are safer, evidence-based alternatives for managing pregnancy-related nausea. Recommend discussing FDA-approved antiemetics and non-pharmacological approaches with their obstetric provider instead. #### Why is monitoring public perception of cannabis safety during pregnancy clinically important? Understanding public perceptions helps healthcare providers anticipate patient questions and misconceptions about cannabis use during pregnancy. This knowledge enables more effective patient education and counseling to prevent potentially harmful exposures during critical developmental periods. #### How should healthcare providers approach cannabis counseling with pregnant patients? Providers should create a non-judgmental environment to discuss cannabis use openly, provide clear evidence-based information about potential risks, and offer support for cessation if needed. Regular screening and documentation of cannabis use should be part of routine prenatal care. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Perceived Safety of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Changes in Perception over Time (2017-2021): A National Survey of US Adults.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41817801/”, “about”: “journal general internal medicine clinical study”, “isPartOf”: “Journal of general internal medicine”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [The effect of cannabis use on the time course of positive and negative affect in the daily life of youth.](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-effects-youth-daily-mood-patterns/) Explore how cannabis use influences mood fluctuations in youth, providing context for understanding broader public perceptions of cannabis safety. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-effects-youth-daily-mood-patterns/) [Substance Use and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents: A Comparative Analysis of Clinical and Psychosocial Risk Factors.](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-substance-use-suicide-risk-analysis/) A detailed analysis of substance use risks in adolescents, highlighting the importance of accurate public perception and clinical guidance. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-substance-use-suicide-risk-analysis/) [Impact of cannabis during pregnancy – YouTube](https://cedclinic.com) An educational video discussing the effects and risks of cannabis use during pregnancy, complementing survey findings on public perception. [Watch Now](https://cedclinic.com) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).