The article Legacies of Prohibition in Canada: Calling for a Reproductive Justice Approach to Cannabis Use During Pregnancy examines how cannabis legalization in Canada has affected healthcare approaches and experiences for pregnant people who use cannabis. Through interviews with healthcare professionals and pregnant women in Quebec, the researchers explore whether legalization has reduced the stigma and punitive attitudes historically associated with cannabis use during pregnancy.
The study argues that despite the legalization of cannabis in 2018, many healthcare practices continue to reflect prohibition-era beliefs and social inequalities. The researchers identify three ongoing “legacies of prohibition”: social stigma surrounding “problematic” cannabis use, punitive healthcare and child welfare responses, and coping strategies used by pregnant individuals to avoid judgement or surveillance. The article ultimately advocates for a reproductive justice framework that emphasizes informed decision-making, harm reduction, compassionate healthcare, and recognition of the broader social and structural barriers faced by marginalized populations.