Women, Weed, and the End of the Stoner Boys’ Club

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Cannabis isn’t just a man’s game anymore. Young women are taking the lead, and it’s not just some minor trend—it’s a full-on cultural pivot. According to the latest Monitoring the Future study, women aged 19-30 are consuming more cannabis than men for the first time in recorded history.

This isn’t just a headline; it’s a tectonic shift in who uses cannabis, how they use it, and what it means. For decades, the cannabis industry and culture have been dominated by a haze of dude-bro marketing and stereotypes. But today, women aren’t just consuming weed—they’re rewriting the rules, flipping the script, and dragging this industry into the 21st century, whether it likes it or not.

Why the Shift?

There are plenty of reasons why women are sparking up more than men these days. It’s not because they’re trying to look cool at parties or dabbling with “gateway” nonsense. Women are using cannabis for real, practical reasons: stress relief, managing anxiety, improving sleep, and alleviating chronic pain.

YouGov data shows that improving sleep quality is the top reason women would try cannabis, followed by relieving physical pain and aiding relaxation. Let’s face it—women carry a disproportionate amount of stress in a society still stuck in its misogynistic ways. From juggling work, family, and everything in between, cannabis is becoming a tool for self-care.

Breaking the Stigma

Women’s relationship with cannabis is nothing new. Queen Victoria reportedly used cannabis tinctures for menstrual cramps—so you could say it’s been a royal remedy for centuries. But fast-forward to the 20th century, and prohibition slapped a thick layer of stigma on the plant, particularly for women.

Thanks to propaganda like Reefer Madness, women who smoked weed were portrayed as loose, lazy, or unfit mothers. This moral panic wasn’t just sexist—it was weaponized. During the height of the War on Drugs, the number of women incarcerated on drug charges skyrocketed by 888%, with women of color bearing the brunt. Cannabis stigma wasn’t just a nuisance; it destroyed lives.

Now, younger generations are rejecting that baggage. They’re having open conversations about cannabis, dropping the shame, and treating it like any other wellness tool. It’s about damn time.

A New Market

This shift is shaking up the cannabis industry in a big way. Women are more likely to purchase cannabis from the legal market than men, gravitating toward products that align with wellness trends: edibles, oils, topicals, and beverages. Forget the old-school image of a bong rip in a dingy basement. Today’s cannabis looks more like artisanal gummies and CBD-infused bath soaks.

Cannabis brands are finally catching on, pivoting toward products that appeal to this new demographic. Jointly, a cannabis app, reports that women now make up over half of its users. The message is clear: cater to women, or get left behind.

Still a Man’s World

As much as the data shows progress, the cannabis industry itself still has a long way to go. Women account for just 39% of cannabis executives in the U.S., and stories of gender-based discrimination are rampant. Women in the industry aren’t just fighting for equality—they’re fighting for survival in a space that often sees them as an afterthought.

Groups like the EmpowHER Cannabis Society are leading the charge, creating networks and spaces where women can support each other and challenge outdated norms. But let’s not sugarcoat it—the fight for equity in cannabis is far from over.

Cannabis as Self-Care

For many women, cannabis isn’t just a product; it’s a lifeline. It’s a way to cope with the chaos, balance the scales, and take back some control in a world that rarely cuts them a break.

As activist Melanie Wentzel puts it: “Cannabis allows us to stop and slow down. It regulates us to the point where we’re not frantic, so we feel balanced and can experience joy. That’s what I think women are craving—because there is so much noise.”

This isn’t just a trend—it’s a reckoning. Women are owning their cannabis use, shattering outdated stereotypes, and redefining what it means to be a consumer in this space.

The Stoner Boys’ Club had a good run. But it’s over. Women aren’t just changing the game; they’re playing on a whole new field and winning.

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