About The Study: In this study of 99,000 pregnancies screened for prenatal cannabis use via urine toxicology testing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in California, prenatal cannabis use was more common among individuals living in areas with greater retail availability of cannabis. Although relative rates increased similarly during the pandemic regardless of local cannabis retail and policy environment, there was a larger absolute increase associated with living closer to a storefront cannabis retailer. Continued monitoring of local cannabis policy, the retail environment, and prenatal cannabis use is needed.
Authors: Kelly C. Young-Wolff, Ph.D., M.P.H., of Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland, is the corresponding author.
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(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.44086)