By Ryan Najjar

Pregnancy is an exciting and emotional experience, but regularly feeling ill is a part of the deal no matter what. You wake up queasy and stay that way for most of the day. It can be painful to even move!

Considering that, it makes sense that you'd want to grab your favorite strain, get some THC in your system, and smoke or vape your problems away.

You may want to rethink that move, however, as smoking weed while pregnant could cause your fetus to develop a variety of issues. There are a fair amount of studies that deny these risks, yes, but research confirming them is certainly worth considering.


What Are the Potential Risks of Smoking Cannabis While Pregnant?

  • Smoking cannabis while pregnant could lead to premature birth, low birth weight, small skull circumference, or neonatal death.
  • Rodent studies suggest the possibility of cognitive issues in children of mothers that used cannabis during pregnancy.
  • One should also consider the possible presence of other harmful substances like pesticides, mold, and bacteria that could harm the unborn child via the mother's consumption.

Risks of Cannabis Itself

What are the potential risks[1] of using cannabis while pregnant, anyhow? Well, there are a few, but doctors will mainly warn you about the possibility of your child having a low birth weight. Many also suggest a possible link between THC use and premature birth, and say it could even cause your child to have a small skull circumference when born.

Along with all that, as we'll further explain in a bit, rodent studies[2] have found that a mother using cannabis could lead to her child having cognitive issues further down the road. Of course, you'd need far more than animal studies to prove there's a true concern, but we can't definitively say there's no risk either.

The even more worrying idea, however, is the potential connection between sustained cannabis use during pregnancy and neonatal death. That issue, as we'll soon discuss, has some science to back it up, but we'll also show that it isn't quite set in stone yet.

Risks of Foreign Substances in Cannabis

Even in the event that THC is safe for consumption, you also have to account for what chemicals may be hiding in certain batches of bud or other THC-rich products. The industry is far from perfectly regulated, of course, and certain products could include anything from mold and bacteria to pesticides the plants were treated with during growth. Ingesting those sorts of substances would not only hurt you, but your child as well.

Risks of Foreign Substances in Cannabis

Cannabis and Pregnancy: What About CBD Oil?

  • CBD is usually framed as harmless, but early rodent studies show it may contribute to facial deformities in children whose mothers consume it.
  • Foreign contaminants, similar to those in THC-rich cannabis buds, could pass into the child during pregnancy (via the mother’s consumption), or afterwards (via the process of breastfeeding).

Risks of CBD Oil Itself

Let's be clear; up to this point, we've been referring to the use of THC-rich cannabis strains, as that's what's most popular these days. CBD oil, though, has been rapidly becoming more widely consumed.

Many users say it helps soothe their minds and their queasy stomachs, and it's perceived to be notably more safe than THC. Even then, though, we have to ask: is it safe to consume while pregnant?

As we'll soon detail, researchers have recently observed that CBD administered to rodent mothers caused their children to have facial malformations[3] in a fashion similar to fetal alcohol syndrome. Problems don't stop in the womb either, as other animal studies have shown that a child could possibly ingest CBD via their mother’s breast milk. The CBD in there wouldn't necessarily cause problems, although it isn't risk-free, either.

Risks of Foreign Substances in CBD Oil

Besides that, there's no telling what's in some CBD products these days. There's CBD in there, sure, but many manufacturers aren't careful about contaminants, leading to substances like bacteria and pesticides ending up in batches of oil and other products. Ingesting those, of course, would definitely lead to problems, whether it's your fetus or breastfeeding child.

Some Research Confirms Risks of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

  • A study looking at 314 pregnant cannabis users and 4,700+ pregnant non-users found the former group to have children with lower birth weights than those from the latter group.
  • There was also a higher rate of premature birth in cannabis users than non-users.
  • That study is marred by a disproportionately large control group. A study with 5,000 pregnant users and 5,000 pregnant non-users, for example, would be more reliable.
  • A rodent study administered CBD oil to pregnant subjects and found the children to sustain facial deformities. This doesn’t confirm the effect in humans, but further research is needed.

Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth Risk

While some cannabis supporters will say there's no connection between cannabis and pregnancy issues[4], a study released in 2020 says otherwise. Researchers from around the UK observed over 5,000 pregnant women, dividing them into five groups: those who never used cannabis, those who only used it before pregnancy, those who stopped using it right before, those who used it but stopped before the 15-week mark, and those who used it after 15 weeks.

Observing these groups through pregnancy and birth, researchers found the children of mothers who smoked after 15 weeks to have a lower mean value birth weight and a greater chance of premature birth. However, if the women stopped using cannabis before the 15-week mark, their children's outcomes were not much different from those with mothers who never used it.

The large sample size is a good sign for the validity of this study, but it's worth noting that the women were not split into evenly sized groups. Of the 5,000+ women in the study, only 314 were noted to have smoked cannabis in any capacity. That's still more people than we usually see in any study on cannabis, but a 4,700+ person control group is excessive, and the overall size of this study could mislead someone into thinking it's more representative than it actually is.

Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth Risk

Early Research on CBD Hints at Further Complications

Another study, released in late 2019[5], focused on CBD and the effects it could have on pregnant rodents and their children. Comparing their observations with neonatal rodents with fetal alcohol syndrome, researchers found those rats, and the ones with CBD-treated mothers, to suffer similar facial deformities. These results don't confirm what would happen in humans, of course, but they could be considered a fair reason for mothers to proceed with caution.

Some Research Denies Risks of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

  • A review of 184 studies on cannabis and pregnancy suggests that few connections have actually been found between cannabis use in pregnant humans and the health of their children.
  • The most recent study reviewed is from 2017, so it doesn’t include the ones we just discussed, but it’s worth noting how the studies they reviewed failed to account for confounding factors like finances, health, and education.
  • This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no risk, but it means more research is needed before anything can be said for sure.

Research Review Denies Connections Between Cannabis and Pregnancy Issues

If you consider other equally recent and valid studies, however, you could also argue there is insufficient evidence to claim cannabis use during pregnancy is wholly unsafe either. Researchers at NYC's Columbia University, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Australia's Swinburne University looked at 184 studies[6] dating up to December 2017, the combination of which describes 1,000+ subjects between 0 and 22 years of age.

The researchers noticed that cannabis use in pregnant mothers had few connections to the issues or positive characteristics of their newborn children. They also noted that some of the studies that did show differences failed to account for the economic situation of the parents or children, their access to education, or other aspects of their health.

In turn, we should take these studies with a grain of salt when they claim cannabis itself causes birth defects and other issues later on. On the other hand, though, it also means that other studies with these oversights need to be reconsidered as well.

More, and Better, Research Is Needed

So, rather than making a statement on the lack of risks, this review of studies could be considered a call for future research to more carefully consider confounding factors. More specifically, researchers need to ensure they're not just observing one socioeconomic group per study, and that their subject pools are not only large, but fully representative of the communities they come from.

Consider Quitting Cannabis to Be Safe During (And After) Pregnancy

  • Until more substantial research comes out denying the risks, it may be safer to avoid using cannabis during pregnancy.
  • Considering how substances a mother uses can pass on to her child via breastfeeding, it could be wise to avoid using cannabis during that time period as well.
  • However, don’t think of it as quitting! Frame it in your mind as a tolerance break. Once your child is done breastfeeding, you can (responsibly) enjoy as much cannabis as you’d like.

Think of It as a Tolerance Break

Now, we understand the idea of quitting may bum you out. After all, we’re sure you’ve had great times with cannabis, and we get that it can bring you a lot of relief in stressful times.

All stoners take tolerance breaks, and the longer ones result in weed hitting you as hard as it did the first time you ever smoked. With that mindset, you’re no longer “quitting”, but instead saving it to fully enjoy after giving birth and breastfeeding.

Above all, if you still think you'll need it while pregnant, especially if you're a medical cannabis patient, just be sure to speak to your doctor about an ideal treatment plan. That goes for people who use CBD oil as well! Only use verified, trustworthy CBD products, and have a conversation with your doctor before taking it during pregnancy.

External Resources:
  1. Can marijuana use during and after pregnancy harm the baby? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) https://www.drugabuse.gov
  2. How Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Could Harm a Developing Baby's Brain - Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com
  3. Cannabinoids Exacerbate Alcohol Teratogenesis by a CB1-Hedgehog Interaction | Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com
  4. The deleterious effects of cannabis during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes | The Medical Journal of Australia https://www.mja.com.au
  5. Cannabinoids Exacerbate Alcohol Teratogenesis by a CB1-Hedgehog Interaction | Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com
  6. Frontiers | Totality of the Evidence Suggests Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Does Not Lead to Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic and Critical Review | Psychology https://www.frontiersin.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: