What It Means to Be a Cannabis-Informed Doula

When I tell people I’m a cannabis-informed doula, I often get a mix of curiosity, support, and sometimes hesitation. It’s not a label I throw around lightly—but it is one that means a great deal to me. For so many families, cannabis is part of their wellness toolkit. And yet, they often feel silenced, shamed, or ignored when they bring it up in prenatal care or postpartum support spaces. As a cannabis-informed doula, my goal is to change that.

So, what is a cannabis-informed doula?

Being cannabis-informed means that I bring knowledge, nuance, and nonjudgmental support to conversations about cannabis use in the perinatal period. I understand that people may use cannabis for a variety of reasons—chronic illness, anxiety, nausea, appetite support, trauma processing, or simply because it helps them feel more present and grounded in their bodies.

It means I’ve taken the time to study the complex relationship between cannabis and pregnancy, including risks, benefits, legal considerations, and harm reduction strategies. I hold a Level-One Cannabis Certification and I continue to learn from lived experiences, experts in the field, and the families I serve.

Why cannabis education matters in doula work

Pregnant and postpartum people deserve access to full-spectrum, evidence-informed care. Too often, cannabis is treated as a taboo subject—something clients feel they have to hide from their providers, their doulas, even their partners. But the truth is, people are already using cannabis during pregnancy and postpartum. The question isn’t whether they will—it’s whether they’ll be supported and educated while doing it.

When someone discloses cannabis use to me, I don't react with fear or shame. I ask questions. I listen. I want to understand their relationship with cannabis and how it fits into their broader physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Then, together, we look at how to navigate that relationship safely and responsibly.

A harm-reduction approach

One of the cornerstones of my practice is harm reduction. I’m not here to tell someone what they should do—I’m here to offer grounded information so they can make informed choices for themselves.

For example:

• Talking about the differences between smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, and topicals

• Looking at frequency, dosage, and timing

• Understanding the laws in our state and what that means for pregnancy or postpartum care

• Exploring how cannabis use might intersect with breastfeeding, sleep, or mental health

I also make space for the emotional side of this. Many parents feel guilt, fear, or shame around their cannabis use, especially when they’ve been judged or dismissed by others. Part of being cannabis-informed means holding that emotional weight with them—not brushing it aside, not trying to fix it, just honoring it.

Creating safer spaces

This work is bigger than cannabis. It’s about consent, autonomy, and respect. It’s about trusting parents to make decisions that feel right for their bodies and their families. It’s about creating spaces where people can show up fully and honestly—where they don’t have to choose between getting support and being truthful about their lives.

Being a cannabis-informed doula isn’t about promoting use. It’s about acknowledging reality. It’s about showing up for people as they are, without assumptions or judgment. And it’s about helping families feel safe, supported, and seen—no matter what choices they make.