Trajectories of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11383471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study follows pregnant people to understand how cannabis use patterns change across pregnancy and how those patterns relate to birth outcomes and child development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $573,728 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA054953-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11383471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals seeking prenatal care at participating sites who use cannabis or are at risk of using during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant people who do not use cannabis and have no risk of use may gain less direct benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers will enroll 1,200 pregnant individuals at six clinics in Maryland and California and track their cannabis use over time during pregnancy. They will look at how use changes from the first trimester onward and identify factors that influence these patterns. The goal is to link different use trajectories to birth outcomes and later child development, so clinicians can tailor counseling and support. The study aims to provide longitudinal data beyond simple yes/no use, helping families and healthcare teams plan safer perinatal care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve counseling and support for pregnant people who use cannabis, potentially reducing adverse outcomes for babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows associations between cannabis exposure and outcomes, but this study adds longitudinal trajectories and time-varying factors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mark, Katrina — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Mark, Katrina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How cannabis use changes during pregnancy
This project will follow pregnant people who use cannabis to track how their use changes across pregnancy and identify factors linked to those patterns.
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Understanding cannabis use patterns during pregnancy
This study is looking at how and why pregnant people might change their cannabis use during the first trimester, so we can better understand the effects on both moms and their babies.
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Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
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Terminal cannabinoid CB1 receptor changes in schizophrenia and cannabis use
This grant studies how cannabis use and schizophrenia together affect a brain receptor (CB1) and what that could mean for memory and symptoms.
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Cannabis policies and prenatal cannabis use: how laws affect moms and babies
This grant studies how changes in recreational cannabis laws influence cannabis use during pregnancy and health outcomes for mothers and children.
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.