Research on cannabis and women's health is heavily focused on safety during pregnancy, with major gaps in understanding women-specific conditions | Research

The takeaway

A scoping review of 270 studies on cannabinoid use among women found 80% focused on safety outcomes, only 20% used women-only samples, and major knowledge gaps exist for women-specific conditions, CBD, and delta-8 THC.

Researchers designing cannabis studies, clinicians counseling women about cannabis, and policymakers assessing evidence gaps.

80% focused on safety; only 20% women-only samples

What the researchers found

Of 270 studies, 80% addressed safety, 17% motivations for use, and 10% perceptions. Only 20% used women-only samples, and 16% studied maternal-offspring dyads. Research predominantly covered cannabis/marijuana (90%) with much less on CBD (9%) or THC (7%). Most common designs were cross-sectional (37%), retrospective (18%), and prospective cohort (16%).

Why it matters

Women may have different risk profiles, motivations, and therapeutic responses to cannabis than men. The finding that most research focuses on pregnancy-related safety means women-specific conditions like endometriosis, menstrual pain, and menopausal symptoms remain understudied.

The numbers in context

270 studies identified. 80% safety-focused, 17% motivations, 10% perceptions. 90% addressed cannabis/marijuana, 9% CBD, 7% THC. Sample composition: 37% included at least 45% women, 27% sex-specific outcomes, 20% women-only, 16% maternal-offspring. 37% cross-sectional design.

How the study worked

Scoping review of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for human epidemiological studies published January 2018 to March 2023, using cannabinoid safety, perception, and motivation criteria. Screened using Covidence platform.

What this study cannot tell us

Scoping review does not assess study quality. Search limited to 2018-2023. Categories were not mutually exclusive. The review characterizes the literature landscape rather than synthesizing findings.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: comprehensive scoping review mapping the literature landscape with clear identification of evidence gaps.

When this study was published

Published 2026. Studies from 2018-2023.

The bigger picture

This review maps a significant blind spot in cannabis research. As women increasingly use cannabis for self-treatment of conditions like menstrual pain, anxiety, and menopausal symptoms, the absence of dedicated research leaves both clinicians and patients without guidance.

Questions still open

Why are so few studies using women-only samples? What are the motivations for cannabinoid use during pregnancy specifically? How do CBD and delta-8 THC affect women-specific health outcomes?

Common questions

Is cannabis research inclusive of women?

Only 20% of studies in this review used women-only samples, and most research focused on pregnancy safety rather than women-specific conditions like menstrual pain or endometriosis.

What do we know about CBD use in women?

Very little. Only 9% of studies in this review addressed CBD specifically, and there are major gaps in understanding how CBD affects women-specific health outcomes.

Read the original research

Cannabinoid Use Among Adult Women: A Scoping Review.

Journal of women's health (2002), 35(3), 271-289

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Trice, Catharine; Prebihalo, Sarah; Rattan, Saniya; Spencer, Kara; Karasick, Andrew; Scott-Richardson, Maya; Punzalan, Cecile; Gensheimer, Kathleen; Markon, André; South, Erin M; Bersoff-Matcha, Susan; Vasisht, Kaveeta; Wolpert, Beverly J. (2026). Cannabinoid Use Among Adult Women: A Scoping Review.. Journal of women's health (2002), 35(3), 271-289. https://doi.org/10.1177/15409996251385404