This research article explores how mistrust between pregnant individuals and health care providers limits honest dialogue about cannabis use during pregnancy. Through in-depth interviews with people who used cannabis before or during pregnancy, the authors found that most participants were not asked about their cannabis use by providers and rarely disclosed it themselves, largely due to fears of judgment, misinformation, or involvement from child welfare services. Although many reported using cannabis to manage medical symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, or pain, they perceived providers as treating cannabis the same as more harmful substances. This disconnect, referred to in the study as clinical dissonance, highlights the need for nonjudgmental, person-centred approaches to prenatal substance use discussions that recognize the realities of self-medication and prioritize safety over surveillance.
