Weed for women has become a fast growing topic. At Oasis Cannabis Superstore, we are seeing more and more female customers. Young adult women now consume more cannabis than men for the first time in recorded history. Women aged 19-30 years reported using more cannabis than their male counterparts in 2023, marking a most important change in consumption patterns. The U.S. has nearly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries, and access has never been easier. This piece will get into why women are turning to cannabis and explore the benefits of weed for women. We’ll also talk about how weed affects women and discuss specific uses such as weed for ADHD women.
The numbers tell a compelling story. More than 44% of young adult women reported using marijuana in 2023, and women now account for over half of users on the cannabis app Jointly. This move has prompted cannabis retailers to rethink their entire approach.
Cannabis use among women increased from 11.21% to 13% between 2021 and 2022. Male usage rose from 12.49% to 14.33% during the same period. But the 19-30 age bracket shows women taking the lead. Men still maintain higher usage rates in the 35-50 age group, consistent with patterns observed in the last decade.
Product priorities reveal there’s another dimension to this trend. Women gravitate toward edibles and oils rather than traditional smoking methods, with topicals and beverages also gaining traction. Female consumers prefer topicals at 2.5% compared to 1.2% of male users. Men remain more likely to smoke marijuana, with 19.8% reporting it as their primary method versus 14.3% of women.
These findings have prompted retailers to start refocusing shelf space toward products popular with women. The legal market benefits from this move, especially when you have women showing a stronger preference for purchasing from licensed dispensaries. Cannabis vaping among the 19-30 age group has reached an all-time high.
Why Women Are Turning to Cannabis
Sleep problems account for much of the cannabis adoption among women. Insomnia affects about 10% of adults on a chronic basis, and nearly one-third suffer from occasional symptoms each year. Women report major improvements in sleep when using cannabis. 65% of current users cite sleep as their main reason. 67% of midlife women who use cannabis report it helps with sleep disturbance.
There’s another reason: pain management. Women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain turn to cannabis when traditional methods fail. Registry data shows 15% of endometriosis patients and 14% of those with chronic pelvic pain use cannabis. Among cannabis users with chronic pelvic pain, 84% reported relief from pain, cramping and muscle spasms. Pelvic pain among cannabis users dropped from 5.4 to 3.7, and worst pain decreased from 7.6 to 5.3.
Menopause symptoms also push women toward cannabis. Nearly 79% use it to ease menopause-related issues, and 46% report improvements in mood and anxiety. In Alberta, 34% of women reported current cannabis use, with 74% finding it helpful for symptoms.
Anxiety relief matters too. About 37.8% of medical cannabis patients use it for anxiety relief, and 45% of women cite anxiety as a reason for use.
Understanding Benefits and Side Effects for Women
Women respond to cannabis differently than men on account of hormonal influences. Females experience a greater high than males at relatively low THC doses of 0.015 mg/kg. Estrogen’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system creates this heightened sensitivity. CB1 receptors become substantially more responsive as estrogen levels rise, and the brain’s endocannabinoid transmitters increase.
The benefits of weed for women extend to sexual function. Cannabis helps women who struggle with orgasms and improves orgasm frequency and quality. It assists those with female orgasmic disorder. CBD interacts with the endocrine system to balance hormone levels. It reduces cortisol and improves sleep.
Weed side effects on women can be severe. Women progress to Cannabis Use Disorder faster than men, with 1 in 10 adults becoming addicted. Mental health side effects include anxiety and psychosis. Cannabis disrupts menstrual cycles and reduces fertility as well. Regular use three times weekly affects reproductive hormones and cycle length substantially.
Pregnancy poses the greatest risk. Cannabis crosses the placenta and contributes to low birth weight and preterm birth. THC remains in breast milk for up to 6 days after use. This potentially affects infant brain development.
Conclusion
Cannabis use among women has definitely reached a turning point, with young adult women now leading consumption rates. As I’ve shown, women use cannabis for sleep, pain relief and anxiety management. Women experience heightened sensitivity to THC and face unique risks like fertility disruption and pregnancy complications. You need to weigh the benefits against potential side effects. Before choosing cannabis as a solution, consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your health.
Disclaimer: Oasis Superstore does not recommend or advise women to use specific products. We provide no medical advice or guidance in any way. Always go slow and low dose when beginning using any cannabis product.
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