Cannabis vs. Tylenol in Pregnancy: Breaking the Stigma
For decades, pregnant people have been bombarded with fear-based propaganda surrounding cannabis use. We’ve been told that consuming cannabis during pregnancy is dangerous, irresponsible, and harmful to fetal development. Meanwhile, mainstream medicine has pushed acetaminophen (Tylenol) as the only “safe” option for pain relief, despite mounting evidence linking it to an increased risk of ADHD and autism.
So, what’s really going on here? Why is cannabis stigmatized while a pharmaceutical drug with known risks is widely accepted?
The Truth About Prenatal Cannabis Use
Recent research continues to dispel the myth that prenatal cannabis exposure leads to poor birth outcomes or neurodevelopmental disorders.
A 2025 study published in JAACAP Open analyzed data on prenatal cannabis exposure and found that it was not associated with adverse birth outcomes or neurodevelopmental delays in the first year of life. (Source)
Another 2024 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics found that prenatal cannabis use was not linked to an increased risk of ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) in early adolescence. In fact, there was an inverse association with DBD, meaning that children exposed to cannabis in utero were less likely to develop disruptive behavior disorders. (Source)
Yet, despite this growing body of evidence, cannabis continues to be demonized.
The Real Culprit? Acetaminophen’s Link to ADHD and Autism
While cannabis is still vilified, acetaminophen (Tylenol) remains the go-to recommendation for pain relief during pregnancy, even though research suggests it may pose a serious risk to fetal brain development.
A 2019 study from Johns Hopkins University found that children with the highest levels of acetaminophen in their cord blood were three times more likely to develop ADHD or autism spectrum disorder compared to those with the lowest levels. (Source)
This isn’t just one isolated study. Other research has also suggested a connection between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
So why isn’t there the same level of fear-mongering and stigma around Tylenol use in pregnancy?
The Role of Propaganda & Stigma
The demonization of cannabis isn’t about science—it’s about politics, profit, and deeply ingrained stigma.
1. Historical Propaganda:
• The War on Drugs framed cannabis as a dangerous, illicit substance, reinforcing outdated biases.
• Even as medical research progresses, policy and public perception lag behind, keeping cannabis classified as harmful despite evidence to the contrary.
2. Pharmaceutical Interests:
• The pharmaceutical industry profits off of synthetic medications like acetaminophen, while cannabis—an easily accessible, natural alternative—poses a threat to their monopoly.
• Cannabis research is often dismissed or suppressed, while drugs with known risks (like acetaminophen) continue to be marketed as “safe.”
3. Medical Bias & Misinformation:
• Many healthcare providers lack cannabis education and rely on outdated guidelines that label it as harmful without critically analyzing newer research.
• Pregnant people who use cannabis often face judgment, criminalization, and even the threat of CPS involvement, despite no solid evidence linking cannabis use to harm.
So, What Now?
Pregnant people deserve evidence-based care—not fear-based policies. If research suggests that cannabis does not increase the risk of ADHD, autism, or adverse birth outcomes—but Tylenol does—then the conversation needs to shift.
It’s time to challenge the stigma, demand better research, and advocate for informed, unbiased healthcare choices.
Pregnancy is hard enough without misinformation and unnecessary fear. People deserve accurate information and the right to make the best choices for their own bodies—without judgment or outdated propaganda shaping the narrative.