Gender influences on cannabis use among treatment-seeking adults: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Gender differences in cannabis use, related harms, and in the development and progression of cannabis use disorder have been reported. Better understanding and identifying why these differences exist is important in developing and tailoring prevention and treatment approaches.

Methods

This qualitative interview study explored influences of gender on cannabis use trajectories. Twenty-three adults (10 cisgender women, 12 cisgender men, 1 non-binary person) who had received treatment for cannabis-related problems were asked about the relationship between their gender and cannabis experiences.

Results

Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop five themes. First, many participants seemingly did not perceive a strong relationship between their gender and cannabis use. Second, men’s cannabis use was impacted by masculinity facilitating the initiation and escalation of use, while simultaneously acting as a barrier to seeking treatment. Third, men’s motivations for using cannabis were almost always reported to be recreational, which is likely linked to men’s use being more normative. Fourth, almost all women reportedly used cannabis to cope, especially with mental health problems. Fifth, social relationships and gender dynamics constrained women’s cannabis use, particularly where many felt pressured into seeking treatment due to increased stigma for women who use cannabis.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed gender differences in cannabis use trajectories, including treatment seeking, barriers, and facilitators, emphasizing the importance of developing gender-specific approaches for reducing cannabis-related harms.

Keywords:

• Cannabis
• gender
• cannabis use disorder

Disclosure statements

Bernard Le Foll (BLF) has obtained funding from Pfizer (GRAND Awards, including salary support) for investigator-initiated projects. BLF has some in-kind donation of cannabis product from Aurora and medication donation from Pfizer and Bioprojet and was provided a coil for TMS study from Brainsway. BLF has obtained industry funding from Canopy (through research grants handled by CAMH or University of Toronto), Bioprojet, ACS and Alkermes. BLF has received in kind donations of nabiximols from GW Pharma for past studies funded by CIHR and NIH. He has been a consultant for Shionogi. He is supported by CAMH and a clinician-scientist award from the department of Family and Community Medicine of the University of Toronto and an Addiction Psychiatry Chair from the department of Psychiatry of the University of Toronto. BLF also participated in an advisory board meeting for Indivior and got a grant from Indivior for a clinical trial. All other authors have nothing to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Funds allocated to the senior author (BB) from the University of Toronto.