Compassionate, Evidence-Informed Conversations on Cannabis Use in Pregnancy
Cannabis use during pregnancy and chestfeeding is increasingly common, yet conversations about use can be challenging for both care providers and individuals. This session provides an evidence-informed overview of cannabis use, including reasons for use, evolving patterns, and key considerations during pregnancy and chestfeeding. Emphasis is placed on practical strategies for engaging in compassionate, non-judgmental conversations that support harm reduction and trauma-informed decision-making among pregnant and chestfeeding individuals.
By the end of this event, participants will:
- Understand what cannabis is, reasons for use, and trends over time
- Review up-to-date evidence on cannabis use during pregnancy and chestfeeding
- Support compassionate, evidence-informed conversations in practice
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Jillian Halladay is a nurse and epidemiologist focused on preventing the onset and chronicity of substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns among youth. At McMaster University, she is an Assistant Professor within School of Nursing, Youth Faculty Lead at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, and core member of the Offord Centre for Child Studies. She holds a CIHR Health System Impact Embedded Early Career Research Award supporting work to improve care for youth substance use when transitioning to adult services. Jillian enjoys hiking, painting (poorly), reality tv, and spending time with her husband, friends, and family.