What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health, Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of cannabis research on June 12, 2026.

How gender identity shapes cannabis use and social comfort

Gender identity and cannabis use in Canada and the United States: cross-sectional analysis of the International Cannabis Policy Study.

Journal of cannabis research • June 12, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This large-scale study examined how gender identity influences cannabis use patterns across Canada and the United States, analyzing data from 281,533 respondents including cisgender, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals. The research revealed interesting patterns: cisgender women and transgender women reported lower daily cannabis use (12%) compared to cisgender men, transgender men, and gender-diverse individuals (14%). However, perceived addiction rates were similar across most groups, with transgender women and gender-diverse individuals reporting lower rates of feeling "very addicted" compared to cisgender men.

Beyond consumption patterns, the study found important differences in how people experience and feel about cannabis. Gender-diverse individuals reported significantly more positive personal effects from cannabis compared to cisgender men, suggesting this population may experience greater benefits from use. Notably, cisgender women felt less comfortable consuming cannabis across different social settings than cisgender men—a finding that likely reflects broader social stigma and gender norms around women's substance use. Transgender men showed patterns more similar to cisgender men in most measures.

These findings have important implications for cannabis policy and public health approaches. The research suggests that one-size-fits-all cannabis policies may not adequately address the diverse needs and experiences of different gender-identity groups, particularly transgender and gender-diverse populations. The disparities documented here—especially lower social comfort among cisgender women and differing addiction perceptions across groups—warrant tailored approaches in both research and policy settings that recognize how gender identity shapes cannabis experiences and behaviors.

📄 Original Abstract

Gender identity influences patterns of substance use; however, few population-level studies have included transgender and gender-diverse identities when examining patterns of cannabis use by gender identity. Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study's national, repeat cross-sectional surveys conducted annually between 2018-2023 in Canada and the United States. Weighted logistic and linear regression models examined differences by gender identity among 281 533 respondents aged 16-65 (including 2 445 transgender respondents and 783 with gender-diverse identities) for three primary outcomes: patterns of cannabis use, personal effects from cannabis, and comfort consuming cannabis across social settings. Daily consumption was reported by approximately 14% of cisgender men, transgender men, and people with gender-diverse identities, with less cisgender women (12%, OR = 0.74, CI95 = 0.72,0.77; p < .001) and transgender women (12%, OR = 0.76, CI95 = 0.59,1.00; p = .047) reporting daily consumption. Approximately 12% of cisgender men, transgender men, and transgender women reported being 'very addicted' to cannabis. Transgender women (6%, OR = 0.57, CI95 = 0.53,0.62; p < .001) and people with gender-diverse identities (6%, OR = 0.47, CI95 = 0.24,0.91; p = .025) were less likely to report being 'very addicted' compared to cisgender men. People with gender-diverse identities reported greater positive personal effects from cannabis compared to cisgender men (β=0.53, CI95 = 0.21,0.86, p = .001), with no differences between cisgender men, cisgender women, transgender men, and transgender women. Comfort consuming cannabis across social settings was lower among cisgender women than cisgender men (β=-0.21, CI95 = -0.23,-0.19; p < .001), with no differences between cisgender men, transgender men, and transgender women. Frequent and problematic patterns of cannabis use were more common among cisgender men, transgender men, and transgender women. These disparities warrant further consideration in both research and policy settings.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of cannabis research
Published: June 12, 2026
PMID: 42286728
DOI: 10.1186/s42238-026-00452-6

Authors (6)

Anastasia Marquette School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
Lorraine Greaves Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, E209-4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Maryam Iraniparast School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
Samantha Rundle School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
Ava Kucera School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
+1 more authors