Gender Norms Still Shape Cannabis Use, but Legalization May Be Changing the Rules

Three themes emerged: (1) Masculine Dominance of Cannabis Use: recreational smoking is socially constructed as a masculine behavior; (2) Cannabis Use as Deviation from Femininity: women and gender-diverse people face extra stigma and are framed as inauthentic users; (3) Rejecting and Reconfiguring Gender Norms: legalization may be catalyzing challenges to masculine dominance by increasing visibility of women using cannabis.

In-depth one-on-one interviews with 23 adults in Toronto, Ontario who had been in treatment for cannabis-related harms. Reflexive thematic analysis using Connell's masculinities framework and critical femininities scholarship.

Gender norms influence who uses cannabis, how they use it, and whether they seek treatment. Understanding these norms is essential for developing gender-responsive interventions that do not inadvertently reinforce stigma against women and gender-diverse cannabis users.

The historical gender gap in cannabis use is narrowing, but this study shows the social norms underlying that gap have not fully caught up. Women who use cannabis still face a "double stigma" of both substance use and gender norm violation, which may delay treatment-seeking.

Small qualitative sample from one Canadian city. Participants were in treatment, so their perspectives may differ from non-treatment-seeking users. The analysis framework (masculinities/femininities scholarship) shapes interpretation.