In recent years, the conversation around cannabis use and pregnancy has become increasingly complex, as new research and personal stories shed light on both the potential risks and the reasons some women turn to marijuana during this critical time. On September 11, 2025, a new study reported by CNN and HealthDay revealed that high levels of THC—the psychoactive compound in marijuana—may impact how eggs develop, possibly leading to fertility problems, miscarriages, and chromosomal issues in embryos. At the same time, stories like that of Tasha Taylor, a 33-year-old from Elkins, West Virginia, featured in The Wall Street Journal, illustrate why some pregnant women continue to use cannabis to manage anxiety, pain, and other symptoms, even as the science grows more cautionary.
The research, led by postdoctoral fellow Cyntia Duval at the University of Toronto, analyzed more than 1,000 samples of ovarian fluid from patients undergoing fertility treatment. The team compared unfertilized eggs (oocytes) from 62 women who tested positive for THC with those from a control group who did not use cannabis. The findings were intriguing and a bit unsettling: women with detectable THC levels had a higher egg maturation rate, but they also produced fewer embryos with the correct number of chromosomes.
“Chromosomes need time to align perfectly to be ready to be fertilized by sperm and create healthy embryos,” Duval explained to CNN. “So yes, we have more oocytes that are mature, but at what price if they don’t have the right number of chromosomes?” The immature eggs studied were donated by women undergoing fertility treatments and were not suitable for use, Duval clarified. When these eggs were exposed to THC in a lab for 24 hours, researchers observed more altered spindles—structural issues that affect chromosome alignment. Such changes, they noted, can interfere with healthy embryo development.
However, Duval was quick to point out the limitations of the study. “This is a hypothesis, and the worst thing I would want is for the public to read this and become fearful,” she told CNN. “More studies are needed to verify our findings and determine how or even if the changes we observed affect reproduction.”
The study’s results come at a time when cannabis use among pregnant women is on the rise. According to a June study cited by CNN, past-month cannabis use among pregnant women in the U.S. more than tripled between 2002 and 2020. This trend is especially notable given the dramatic increase in THC potency over the years. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that THC potency has quadrupled between 1995 and 2022, with some cannabis concentrates now reaching 40% THC or higher. "Higher THC concentrations have been associated with a greater likelihood of cannabis use progressing to cannabis use disorder, among other health concerns," the Institute’s website states.
Dr. Jamie Lo, an obstetrician and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, weighed in on the findings. "The findings of this study are concerning and highlight the importance of a cautious approach in using cannabis when planning to conceive," Dr. Lo told CNN. She suggested that the results could support a harm-reduction strategy, adding, "With this information, these patients can consider reducing the amount of cannabis that they are using to mitigate adverse outcomes to their babies."
But for many women, the decision to use cannabis during pregnancy is not made lightly, nor is it without context. The Wall Street Journal profiled Tasha Taylor, who faced a series of difficult choices when she became pregnant. Taylor, who manages bipolar disorder, learned that her prescribed psych medication could harm her baby. She decided to stop taking the medication, but the withdrawal triggered night terrors and made it hard for her to eat. Struggling to find relief, Taylor obtained a medical marijuana card. The cannabis, she said, helped her sleep and eased her feelings of mania. "There’s so much worse stuff that people could be doing than a plant God put on this earth," Taylor told The Wall Street Journal. She emphasized that she only took a small amount before bed and lived just half a mile from the local cannabis dispensary.
Taylor’s story is emblematic of a broader trend: more pregnant women are turning to cannabis as a coping mechanism for symptoms like anxiety, pain, and insomnia. For some, it’s a matter of choosing what they perceive as the lesser of two evils—especially when other medications carry their own risks. Yet, as the latest research suggests, even small amounts of THC may have unintended consequences for fertility and embryo development.
Experts caution that the effects of cannabis during pregnancy are still not fully understood, and the landscape of marijuana products is rapidly evolving. "Because it’s hard to know the specific level of THC in various cannabis products on the shelves, I advise my patients to consider safer alternatives to treat the symptoms they’re using cannabis for or at least try to reduce the frequency of their use," Dr. Lo advised. This uncertainty is compounded by the fact that the THC content in today’s cannabis products is often much higher than it was just a generation ago, making it more difficult for users—and their doctors—to gauge potential risks accurately.
For those planning to conceive, the advice from the medical community is clear: talk with your doctor about cannabis use. Reducing THC exposure may help lower potential risks to fertility. While the new study can’t prove cause and effect, it raises important questions about the impact of cannabis on reproductive health. As Duval noted, "More studies are needed to verify our findings and determine how or even if the changes we observed affect reproduction."
In the meantime, women like Tasha Taylor will continue to navigate the complicated intersection of medical needs, personal well-being, and evolving science. The decision to use cannabis during pregnancy remains deeply personal—and, for many, fraught with uncertainty. As research continues and public health guidance evolves, the stories of women who rely on cannabis for relief serve as a reminder that the path to motherhood is rarely straightforward, and every choice comes with its own set of risks and rewards.
As more data emerges and the conversation grows, both the scientific community and those affected will be watching closely, weighing new evidence against lived experience in search of answers—and, hopefully, better outcomes for mothers and babies alike.
