One of the many ways women are different than men is in how they use cannabis
They are 50% of the populations and have distinctive patterns in a variety of ways. Â Here is how women use cannabis, and it has an impact on the industry. Cannabis use among women in the United States has been steadily increasing, with notable shifts in consumption patterns and underlying motivations. Many women favor discreet, smoke-free consumption methods, which can be different from men.
Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and other recent studies highlight distinct gender differences in cannabis use, particularly regarding reasons for use and preferred consumption methods.
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Edibles, tinctures, and low-dose products are particularly popular among women, offering a smoke-free and precise way to manage effects—especially for wellness purposes like sleep, anxiety, and pain relief. Vaping is also used, though less frequently than by men, due to concerns about health risks and lung irritation.
Compared to men, women are less likely to smoke cannabis flower and more likely to seek products with clear dosing and a balanced cannabinoid profile, such as those containing both THC and CBD.
Women predominantly use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The top reasons include alleviating anxiety (60%), aiding sleep (58%), and relieving pain (53%). This contrasts with men, who more frequently cite enhancement and social motives for cannabis use.
While men have historically exhibited higher overall cannabis use rates, recent data show that young adult women (aged 19 to 30) have surpassed their male counterparts in past-year cannabis use. Furthermore, women may escalate their cannabis use more rapidly than men, a phenomenon known as “telescoping.” This rapid progression can lead to a quicker onset of cannabis use disorder (CUD) among women.
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Despite the increasing normalization of cannabis use, stigma persists, particularly among women. Approximately 65% of female cannabis users report that there are people in their lives—such as parents, children, or coworkers—who are unaware of their cannabis use. Concerns about drug testing and societal judgment contribute to this reluctance to disclose usage.
Understanding these gender-specific patterns is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies and to continue to build the market.
