When Tatiana Sanchez became pregnant with her son in 2020, she struggled with relentless nausea and vomiting—nothing seemed to help.
The 30-year-old was desperate for relief from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy sickness far worse than typical morning sickness.
After trying every conventional treatment without success, Sanchez turned to an unconventional—and often controversial—solution: marijuana.
Riley Kirk, a cannabis researcher, is part of a growing number of women using marijuana during pregnancy.
She had been offered Zofran, a drug commonly prescribed for severe nausea and vomiting, but decided against it. Based on her research, she felt “the potential risks during the first trimester outweighed the benefits.” Another option, Diclegis, a pregnancy-specific medication, would have been safer—but it was unavailable due to shortages.
“I chose to use cannabis out of desperation because I believed it posed fewer risks than the pharmaceuticals offered to me,” the entrepreneur and cannabis educator told The Post. “Despite multiple emergency room visits and consultations, the support I received was limited.”
Medical experts have long cautioned against marijuana use during pregnancy due to serious risks to the baby. A meta-analysis published this May, which reviewed more than 51 studies covering over 21 million pregnant women, linked cannabis use to poor fetal development, low birth weight, preterm births, and even death. Low birth weights nearly doubled, while preterm deliveries rose by 50%.
Despite these warnings, women like Sanchez are increasingly turning to marijuana during pregnancy, giving the term “plant mom” a new, controversial meaning.
According to a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.8% of expectant mothers used marijuana between 2021 and 2023, with most smoking it, followed by vaping and consuming edibles.
Tatiana Sanchez, 30, suffered from severe nausea and constant vomiting during pregnancy—and said nothing provided relief except cannabis.
“Cannabis use in pregnancy has risen over the years, with rates reported between 3% and 20%, and the highest use occurring in the first trimester,” says Dr. Esther Chung, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist at HRC Fertility Clinic. “Many patients report that it helps with stress, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, or nausea.”
Those symptoms were particularly challenging for Sophie Watkins, a 36-year-old health and life coach.
“[Everything] triggered vomiting. Inhaling cannabis vapor was the only method my body could tolerate, and it provided near-instant relief.”
Riley Kirk
“I was struggling with nausea, restless legs syndrome, and high stress,” Watkins said. “Cannabis, in microdoses, was the one thing that consistently brought me relief without the heavy side effects of other pharmaceuticals.”
During the times she needed it most, she said she used it “about two to three times per week.”
Sophie Watkins, 36, also struggled with nausea and stress—and found relief in microdoses of cannabis.
For others, cannabis serves as a last resort when conventional treatments fail or rapid relief is needed. That was the case for Riley Kirk, CEO of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy, a cannabis researcher, educator, and author.
“During my pregnancy, I chose to consume very small doses of cannabis on only a few occasions to manage persistent migraines,” the 31-year-old mother explained.
Kirk couldn’t tolerate any medications during her migraine episodes due to severe nausea.
“Even Zofran, which dissolves in the mouth, triggered vomiting,” she recalled. “Inhaling cannabis vapor was the only method my body could handle, and it provided near-instant relief.”
Doctors have long warned against marijuana use during pregnancy, citing serious health risks to the baby. Yet some mothers, like Sanchez, have chosen to use it to relieve severe symptoms.
Carefully Considering the Risks
For all three women, the decision to turn to cannabis while pregnant was not made lightly.
“My focus was entirely on intentional, minimal, and safe consumption to support my health and my son’s,” said Sanchez, whose son recently turned five.
“After careful trial and error, I found that using a high-quality dry herb vaporizer with clean flower, combined with a balanced 1:1 THC-to-CBD tincture, was the most effective way to manage my symptoms and maintain stability,” she added.
Watkins described a more conflicted experience.
“I was honestly in two minds,” she explained. “On one hand, I see cannabis as a natural plant medicine with many proven benefits — physical, emotional, and psychological. On the other hand, I’m very aware that there isn’t enough research, and that uncertainty is always at the back of my mind.”
Kirk emphasized that she does not support recreational cannabis use during pregnancy.
She was acutely aware of the potential health concerns, saying her biggest fear was “whether it could negatively impact my baby’s health or development.”
“While I intuitively feel the risk is low, the lack of studies meant I stayed cautious and thoughtful about my use,” she explained.
The risks are compounded by the fact that cannabis products are not regulated by the FDA.
“Doses and labels can be unreliable,” noted Dr. Esther Chung. “For those reasons, the [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists] consensus is that no proven benefit outweighs the risks.”
Women like Watkins point out that there still isn’t enough research on the effects of marijuana on unborn babies. The studies that do exist, however, link cannabis use to early delivery, poor fetal development, and low infant birth weight.
Even Kirk, who holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences, acknowledges that many women are “desperate for symptom relief” and may have a “lack of trust in the pharmaceutical industry.” Still, she does not support recreational cannabis use during pregnancy.
Facing Stigma and Finding Support
Social stigma remains a significant concern for many women, including Watkins, who only mentioned her cannabis use to her doctor casually.
“I mentioned it briefly… but for the most part, I didn’t [because of] fear of judgment and knowing that most doctors don’t have much training or understanding around cannabis as medicine,” she admitted.
“When I did bring it up, the response wasn’t very supportive or informed, which confirmed why I didn’t feel safe talking openly about it,” she added.
Sanchez managed her pregnancy symptoms using a dry herb vaporizer and a balanced 1:1 THC-to-CBD tincture.
Both women, however, found that support in their personal lives made a big difference.
“I was open with my family and close friends,” Watkins said. “Some even felt that the stress I was under could have been more detrimental to the baby than the small amount of cannabis I was using. That perspective gave me reassurance, because I wasn’t using it to escape; I was using it to cope, regulate, and show up better as a parent.”
Sanchez, meanwhile, often encountered mixed reactions.
“Halfway through my pregnancy, I switched providers in hopes of better care. While my doctor personally approved my use based on my medical history and condition, I sometimes encountered differing opinions from other staff at the clinic,” she noted.
Some women who use cannabis during pregnancy have embraced hashtags like #cannamama, #plantmom, and #gardenmommy on social media.
Sanchez, for her part, found allies within her own family. Her mother, who had experienced many of the same pregnancy symptoms, was “very supportive.”
Online communities have also emerged, particularly in TikTok comment sections, where women exchange advice, discuss risks and benefits, and even share input from their OBGYNs, Kirk explained. “It has become one of the only places on the internet where these conversations are happening openly.”
The movement has fueled the rise of hashtags such as #cannamama, #plantmom, and #gardenmommy.
Both Sanchez and Watkins reported largely positive responses after sharing their experiences online.
“It was overwhelmingly supportive,” Sanchez said. “There were some negative comments, but they were far outweighed by the messages of encouragement and gratitude.”
“Some have even shared their own similar experiences,” Watkins added. “I think a lot of people appreciate when someone is willing to talk about the realities of cannabis use and parenthood without shame.”
Watkins admitted she feared judgment from her doctor. When she finally brought it up, she felt the response “wasn’t very supportive or informed.”
Future Conversations
Currently, there is no known safe amount of cannabis to use during pregnancy, nor is there sufficient data to confirm what dosage, frequency, or timing might be safe.
While the majority of research points to a link between prenatal marijuana use and increased risks of complications, some studies—and the experiences of users—highlight the need for further education and research.
Kirk has even launched a research study in collaboration with Purdue University to gather more in-depth data on women’s experiences.
“For too long, women have felt isolated and guilty for turning to cannabis during pregnancy,” Kirk said. “Still, it is clear that many women are turning to cannabis because other options have failed them.”
