How pregnant people use cannabis (smoking, vaping, edibles) and other substances
Modes of Cannabis Administration and Polysubstance Use among Women Before and During Pregnancy
This project looks at the ways pregnant people use different cannabis products and other drugs before and during pregnancy and how those patterns relate to quitting and health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115861 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a large study using routine prenatal screening information and medical records from over 300,000 pregnancies at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2021–2026. The team combines self-reported use, urine toxicology results, and electronic health record data with local cannabis retailer and policy information to see which products people use and how that relates to frequency of use, cannabis use disorder, other substance use, quitting, and health effects. The research uses both large-scale data analysis and mixed methods to capture patterns across different racial, ethnic, and policy contexts. Findings will help clarify risks tied to specific modes of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people receiving prenatal care within Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2021 and 2026, especially those who report or screen positive for cannabis use.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, not receiving care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, or who have never used cannabis are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians give clearer, more specific guidance and support to pregnant patients about risks of different cannabis products and quitting options.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked prenatal cannabis use to adverse outcomes but few large, diverse studies have examined differences by mode of use, so this builds on limited existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
Oakland, UNITED STATES
- Kaiser Foundation Research Institute — Oakland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young-Wolff, Kelly Corinne — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Young-Wolff, Kelly Corinne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.