Breaking the Taboo: Overcoming Cannabis Stigma in Motherhood

37% of women use cannabis, yet cannabis use, particularly among mothers, is still highly stigmatized.

If you’re a woman and a mom, and you enjoy cannabis, this post is for you.

Discover how cannabis stigma affects women and explore the up-and-coming Cannamom culture that takes aim at breaking the barriers holding many back from experiencing the benefits of cannabis.

Whether you’re a kid-free woman or a proud mother, cannabis offers something for everyone.

How Cannabis Stigma Affects Women

Gender Stereotypes

Cannabis stigma also extends into gender stereotypes. Women who use cannabis face a variety of stereotypes, from being a “sexy stoner girl” to being shamed for using the plant at all. This stigma can lead to low self-esteem, negative self-worth, and even depression in women who use cannabis in a therapeutic sense.

For Cannamom’s, the stigma is even fiercer.

Internalized stigma as a woman who uses cannabis can be a greater force holding women back from openly sharing their experience with cannabis.

Hormonal Differences

Interestingly, cannabis use affects women differently. For example, sex hormones seem to play a role in how females experience cannabis. Biomedical studies demonstrate that females have fewer CB1 cannabinoid receptors in some brain regions. Some research also suggests that progesterone promotes dependence on THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. At the same time, testosterone may potentially protect males from dependence upon the plant.

Muscle mass and fat tissue also change the way that cannabis affects men and women. Cannabinoids dissolve more easily in lipids and are stored in fat cells. Women, traditionally, have a higher percentage of body fat, which means they could experience cannabis differently than their male counterparts.

Due to the differences in how cannabis affects hormones, women may react differently to cannabis than men. That difference, unfortunately, leads some to judge women who use cannabis more harshly.

Parenting & Family Dynamics

All mothers know how difficult parenthood is. It requires patience, lots of love, and an ability to regulate emotions. For many women, cannabis makes all of the aforementioned much easier.

Unfortunately, mothers who use cannabis often fear legal repercussions or even involvement with child protective services, which leads to secrecy and shame surrounding their cannabis use.

Even in states like New Jersey, where recreational cannabis is legal, the stigma has yet to die out.

For example, many mothers face backlash from family members who disapprove of cannabis use, which leads to strained relationships with partners or even their parents. Women of color and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition and criminalization. Their legal use of cannabis is frequently under even more scrutiny.

5 Ways Moms Benefit From Cannabis

Stress Relief

Every mom knows that parenting is stressful. Cannabis offers a natural way for moms to unwind after a hard day of parenting. Some research indicates that cannabis can help moms manage anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms. Moms, particularly those experiencing Post Partum Depression, may greatly benefit from balanced cannabis use.

Motherhood can be stressful, and cannabis may offer a natural way for moms to unwind and relax after a long day of parenting.

Pain Management

Giving birth and caring for small children places considerable demands on mothers. This can sometimes lead to chronic pain. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has been shown to have analgesic properties that can help moms manage their pain without the risk of addiction or adverse side effects.

Improved Sleep

Enjoying a quality night’s sleep is anything but easy for moms. Young children tend to disrupt a mother’s natural sleep cycle. Cannabis strains high in CBD can help promote relaxation and better sleep quality, helping mothers everywhere get the rest they need to recharge their batteries fully.

Mood Regulation

Women who still menstruate are on a monthly hormone cycle. That cycle comes in four phases; with each phase, various hormones are in the driver’s seat. These natural fluctuations can be overwhelming, especially for women managing busy schedules and the demands of young children. This often takes a toll on a mother’s mood. Cannabis has been reported to enhance mood, potentially offering real relief from mood-based issues such as depression, mood swings, and, as we mentioned, anxiety.

Parenting Support

Many moms use cannabis to improve their parenting experience. Cannabis can help moms be more present and attuned to their children’s needs, creating a more positive relationship with their children.

Tips for Cannamom’s Who Want the Most Out of Cannabis

The results are in. Cannabis could be one of the best strategies in the motherhood playbook. Check out the following tips to get the most out of cannamom culture and incorporate it into your daily life.

#1. Schedule cannabis use appropriately.

Like all good things, it matters how you use cannabis. Schedule your cannabis use according to your day-to-day routine. For example, it might be best to limit the amount of THC you consume during the day or in the morning because it can cause intoxication and sleepiness for many moms.

Instead, try a mix of high CBD strains with lower THC content to reduce the effect of THC. If you’re highly sensitive to THC, you might want to avoid it altogether and instead reserve it for the evening or weekends.

#2. Use the right cannabinoid blend.

Cannabinoids matter. Balancing your THC with CBD is one of the best ways to fully enjoy cannabis while taking care of your children.

Some of the best strains for daily use include:

#3. Don’t overlook terpenes.

Terpenes are like the cherry on your proverbial cannabis cake. They can enhance cannabis relief. For example, Linalool is an anti-inflammatory terpene that helps fight stress and anxiety, among other things. Strains high in this terpene include:

Other terpenes to experiment with include:

#4. Connect with other cannamom’s!

Getting to know other women and mothers who use cannabis is an excellent way to destigmatize cannabis use.

As cannabis awareness increases, so does the culture of mothers who openly use cannabis. Connect with the community either in person or online, such as through the Blue Oak Dispensary social media channels, and find like-minded mothers who support your cannabis use.

Times are changing, and as they do, more mothers can consume cannabis shame-free!

Pulling It All Together

Cannabis stigma can cause problems for women who need the plant to reduce pain, anxiety, and depression. But together, we can break the stigma and open cannabis up to women who need it.

For more information about cannabis, how it affects women, and how you can select the perfect strain, visit us in person. We would love to answer your questions and explore this exciting new culture with you!