Cannabis and HIV in Pregnancy

OG Article By Angela Yeager

September 26 2025

Overview

Oregon Health & Science University leads a $6.7 million NIH study.It explores how cannabis use during pregnancy affects outcomes for people with HIV.

Research Team

• Jamie Lo, M.D., M.C.R., Associate

  Professor, OHSU School of Medicine.Focus: Maternal-fetal medicine, cannabis effects on pregnancy.

• Benjamin Burwitz, Ph.D.Associate Professor, Oregon National Primate Research Center.Focus: Infectious disease immunology.

• Jennifer Manuzak, Ph.D.Co-lead, Tulane National Primate Research Center.

• Matthias Schabel, Ph.D. and James Frank, Ph.D.OHSU co-investigators.

Study Design

• Model: Rhesus macaques with SIV (similar to HIV).

• Method: Daily THC edible, antiretroviral therapy.

• Focus: Immune function, placental development, fetal outcomes.

• Tools: Advanced imaging, serial assessments.

Why It Matters

• 1.2 million pregnant people with HIV globally (2023).

• HIV increases risks: premature birth, placental issues.

• Cannabis use is rising among pregnant individuals.

• Limited safety data on cannabis in pregnancy.

• THC may reduce inflammation but could harm fetal development.

Key Questions

• Does cannabis worsen HIV effects on pregnancy?

• Can THC’s anti-inflammatory properties help?

Approach

• Track maternal immune response, placental function, fetal growth.

• Build a sample bank for future research.

• Use nonhuman primates for close human similarity (placenta, cannabinoid receptors).

Impact

• First deep study of cannabis, HIV, and pregnancy interaction.

• Aims to guide clinicians, inform pregnant individuals with HIV.

Funding

• National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH (Award: 1R01DA064125).

• Content is authors’ responsibility, not NIH’s official views.

Ethical Oversight

• OHSU’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approves all animal research.

• Ensures animal welfare, scientific value, and worker safety