Why Young Adults Use Cannabis During Sex: Pleasure, Anxiety Relief, and Gender Dynamics

Three categories of motivations emerged: transformed sexuality (heightened sensations, enhanced connection), facilitated sex (eased anxiety, lessened body concerns), and contextual influences (routine, sex-cannabis associations). Gendered dynamics were visible across all categories, with gender shaping how and why cannabis was used sexually.

Semi-structured interviews with 27 young adults aged 18-24 who use cannabis during sex. Thematic analysis using combined inductive-deductive coding, interpreted through the Gender Structure Framework conceptualizing gender across multiple dimensions.

Cannabis is the second most used substance in sexual contexts after alcohol, yet sexual health promotion rarely addresses it. Understanding the gendered motivations helps create non-stigmatizing, relevant guidance for young adults.

Sexual health promotion has largely ignored cannabis use, focusing almost exclusively on alcohol. As cannabis becomes more accessible, understanding its role in young people's sexual lives — including how gender shapes that role — is essential for relevant public health messaging.

Small qualitative sample limits generalizability. Self-selected participants may over-represent positive experiences. Cannot quantify prevalence of each motivation. Cultural context (Canadian young adults) may not generalize.