Abstract

Background Approximately 5% of pregnant women continue using cannabis despite recommendations advising against it. Conflicting evidence and unclear health messaging confuse patients and providers alike, leading many women to seek information online through social media and forums-often sources of misinformation. This study aimed to analyze the certainties, limitations, and gaps in risk communication about cannabis use during pregnancy, based on the perspectives of both pregnant women and health and social care professionals in Qu & eacute;bec.Methods An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with 18 women who used cannabis during pregnancy and 19 healthcare and social service professionals within Qu & eacute;bec's healthcare system. Interviews were analyzed using Template Analysis.Results Four key themes emerged: (1) Legalization of cannabis use causes contradictions in the social and professional contexts (2) Legalization and consequent normalization of cannabis and other substances trivialize their perceived risks. (3) Knowledge gap of cannabis use during pregnancy influences the therapeutic relationship. (4) Professional training and women's education on cannabis use during pregnancy are needed. Legalization has fostered more open dialogue but also contributed to the normalization of cannabis use, complicating risk communication. Conversations on this topic are shaped by ambiguity, inconsistent training, and a lack of clear guidance. Both professionals and women expressed the need for accessible, evidence-based information to support informed decision-making.Conclusion This study highlights the challenges of risk communication regarding cannabis use during pregnancy in Qu & eacute;bec's post-legalization context. Limited evidence, uneven professional training, and scarce educational resources for women continue to shape how risk is interpreted.