Women and Cannabis: Balancing Wellness, Cost, and Access

March 12, 2026

Women and Cannabis: Balancing Wellness, Cost, and Access

For many women, cannabis is more than just a lifestyle choice. It is part of a larger approach to wellbeing. Women increasingly use cannabis products for health reasons, such as managing stress, supporting sleep, and easing pain.

While awareness and acceptance of cannabis is rising, cost and access are important considerations. Toke makes cannabis clear and simple, turning complex research into transparent and accessible guidance.

Why women are turning to cannabis

Cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate mood, pain, sleep and immune responses [4]. For many women, cannabis has become an addition to daily wellness routines.

 

According to a recent YouGov survey, the top reasons women use cannabis among current users included [1]:

  • Relaxation: 70%
  • Sleep improvement: 69%
  • Pain relief: 53%
  • Depression or anxiety: 51%
  1. Substitute for prescription or OTC drugs: 41%

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Photo by Terre di Cannabis on Unsplash

What drives purchase decisions (US)

Among women who already consume cannabis, price is the primary consideration for product, with 70% saying cost heavily influences which products they choose. Other factors include clear descriptions of effects (49%), premium ingredients (36%), promotions or sales (36%), and recommendations from professionals (26%). Packaging influences 15% of women too [1].

US Spending and frequency

US women report wide variation in monthly spend and use patterns [1].

  • Monthly spend: 34% spend under $49.99, 20% spend $50–$99.99, 14% spend $100–$149.99, and about 5% spend $250+ per month.
  • Frequency of use: 36% use multiple times per day, 19% use once daily, 17% use two to six days per week, 7% use weekly, and 7% use one to three days per month.

Note: These figures reflect US respondents and may not generalise to the UK market.

Cost and access in the UK

In the UK, there is increasing interest in medical cannabis, but affordability, clarity and access remain significant barriers. As NHS access is highly limited, most patients have to rely on private medical cannabis clinics.  

Typical costs include:

  • Initial consultation: £150–£300 with a GMC-registered specialist
  • Monthly prescriptions: £80–£300, depending on the product and dosage [2]

These prices can make regular access difficult, especially for long-term conditions or ongoing wellness routines. Costs vary by clinic and regimen [2].  

In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed by doctors on the GMC specialist register [3]. NHS access is limited, causing many patients to use CQC-registered private clinics.

Toke connects readers with GMC-registered specialists and CQC-registered private clinics, for safe and legal access to medical cannabis.

Preferred products and wellness routines

Women report using a broad range of cannabis formats to suit different needs.  According to YouGov, women report using a variety of cannabis forms. The most common are flower or pre-rolled joints (80%), edibles such as baked goods and candies (74%), and concentrates for vaping or dabbing, like oils and waxes (59%).  

Other popular options include topicals such as lotions and creams (36%) and ingestible products like capsules, sprays or lozenges (37%) [1].

Onset times by product:

  • Tinctures and oils: flexible, dose-controlled; 15–45 minutes when held under the tongue before swallowing [6].
  • Edibles and capsules: longer-lasting; 30–90 minutes to onset, peak around 3 hours, duration can exceed 6 hours [7].
  • Cannabis drinks: often felt sooner than solid edibles; typical onset 15–20 minutes [8].
  • Topicals: chosen for local, non-intoxicating use.

In the UK, the Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults not to exceed 10 mg of CBD per day from food supplements unless advised otherwise by a clinician [5].

Toke connects you to trusted retailers and clinics across Europe, helping you navigate legal, lab-tested and transparent options.

Fast FAQs

Q: Why are more women using cannabis?


Key reasons include relaxation (70%), sleep improvement (69%), pain relief (53%), and support for depression or anxiety (51%) [1].

Q: Why would non-users consider trying cannabis?


Motivations include better sleep (16%), pain management (14%), stress relief (12%), and a perceived safer alternative to certain medicines (12%) [1].

Q: What matters most when women choose a product?


Price is the top driver (70%). Effect descriptions, premium ingredients, and promotions also influence decisions [1].

Q: Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?


Yes. It can be prescribed by doctors on the GMC Specialist Register. Due to limited NHS access, most patients rely on CQC-registered private clinics [3].

Summary

Women are increasingly looking to cannabis for wellbeing, primarily for relaxation and better sleep, followed by pain relief and support for depression or anxiety [1]. However, cost remains a significant barrier, especially in the UK, where private prescriptions and consultation fees can limit access [2].

As education improves and prices stabilise, cannabis could become a more viable wellness option for women .

Toke makes cannabis clear, helping you stay up to date on the latest in women’s health, research and cannabis.

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References

[1] Fernandes, J. (2024). Cannabis Trends: Understanding Female Consumers’ Motivations and Preferences. YouGov. https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/50909-cannabis-trends-understanding-female-consumers-motivations-and-preferences

[2] Script Assist. (2025). Private Medical Cannabis Pricing in the UK. https://scriptassist.co.uk/about-us/pricing

[3] Davies, S. C. (n.d.). letter-with-guidance-on-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use. https://www.gov.uk/. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bdc3480e5274a6e287716d0/letter-with-guidance-on-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use.pdf

[4] Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: Signaling and function in the central nervous system. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(3), 833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030833

[5] Food Standards Agency (FSA). (2024). CBD food products and consumer advice. https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/cannabidiol-cbd

[6] Kyle, E. (2025, July 17). Tincture vs. edible: The major difference. https://emilykylenutrition.com/sublingual-vs-edible-cannabis-consumption/

[7] Borodovsky, J. T., Crosier, B. S., Lee, D. C., Sargent, J. D., & Budney, A. J. (2016). Smoking, vaping, eating: Is legalization impacting the way people use cannabis? International Journal of Drug Policy, 36, 141–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.02.022

[8] Corliss, J. (2024, July 16). Cannabis drinks: How do they compare to alcohol? Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabis-drinks-how-do-they-compare-to-alcohol-202407153058

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