OneOhio launches pregnancy-focused cannabis education campaign

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation has started the first phase of Ohio’s statewide cannabis public education effort with a campaign aimed at pregnant women, women who may become pregnant and the people around them. The push uses ads, social media and community toolkits to warn about cannabis use during pregnancy and direct families to evidence-based guidance.

Why it matters: - Ohio is seeing higher cannabis use and changing public attitudes, including among women who are pregnant or hope to become pregnant. - The campaign is designed to reach families with clear health information before cannabis use during pregnancy affects fetal development. - OneOhio and partners are trying to shift the conversation from confusion to provider-guided decision-making.

What happened: - The OneOhio Recovery Foundation launched the first phase of a statewide cannabis public education initiative focused on pregnant women, women who may become pregnant and the people who support them. - The announcement came during a press conference with leaders from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, the Ohio Department of Commerce, the Ohio Department of Health, Truth Initiative and Franklin County Public Health. - The campaign is the first of several cannabis-focused public education efforts first announced in May. - The campaign’s core message is that the risk to a baby’s development is not worth cannabis use during pregnancy.

The details: - The campaign uses targeted digital advertising, social media, earned media, direct engagement with moms and families, and educational toolkits for community partners. - OneOhio and campaign collaborators aim to provide trusted, evidence-based information about cannabis use during pregnancy. - The effort encourages women to talk with a healthcare provider before using cannabis products. - OneOhio executive director Alisha Nelson said the campaign is meant to meet expectant and prospective mothers with compassionate, evidence-based information. - Statewide polling commissioned by OneOhio and conducted by Public Opinion Strategies found 67% of Ohioans believe cannabis has become more socially acceptable since legalization. - The same poll found 41% of Ohioans currently use cannabis, up from 35% in 2024. - Among women who are pregnant or hope to become pregnant, 51% reported using cannabis. - Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield said more available and more socially accepted cannabis makes accurate, science-based information especially important. - Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said there is no known safe amount of cannabis during pregnancy. - OneOhio is partnering with Truth Initiative to ground the campaign in audience research, behavioral science, message testing and ongoing evaluation. - Truth Initiative said the campaign draws on more than 25 years of public education campaign experience. - Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola said statewide education works best when trusted local voices carry the message. - The campaign also provides ready-to-use resources for trusted community partners. - New ads, educational resources and a website explain why women should talk with a doctor, midwife or other trusted health care provider before using cannabis products. - Ohioans can learn more at the cannabis pregnancy page. - Media can download sample campaign creative at media resources.

Between the lines: - The campaign blends public health messaging with behavior-change tactics, suggesting OneOhio is trying to influence choices through repeated exposure across digital, community and provider channels. - The polling numbers point to a wider normalization of cannabis in Ohio, which helps explain why the campaign is targeting pregnancy specifically. - Pairing state agencies with Truth Initiative gives the effort both policy reach and campaign-testing expertise.

What's next: - OneOhio is expected to roll out additional cannabis-focused public education initiatives after this first pregnancy-centered phase. - Community partners can use the toolkit materials immediately in local settings, including waiting rooms and family programs. - The campaign will continue to direct Ohioans to evidence-based guidance and provider conversations as the message expands statewide.