Supply, Secrecy, and Surveillance: Experiences of Women who use Cannabis for Pleasure

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the nature of the relationships that exist between women and their use of cannabis. Currently, women’s use of cannabis is legally permitted within a federal, medical system of access; however, cannabis’ consumption outside of that framework is categorized as a criminal act. As a result, women are subjected to differing forms of cannabis stigmatization and surveillance across many socio-political contexts, often resultant in women’s losses of power and position. As Canada prepares to enact a legal cannabis framework, it is crucial that society and institutions understand the relationships which women have developed through cannabis use. Otherwise, the legalization of cannabis use will not -- in and of itself -- alleviate the systemic forms of stigmatization and oppression which continue to impact the lives of certain women because of their use of cannabis. A review of existing literature demonstrated that there is limited research which discusses the nature of women’s use of cannabis outside of a medical context. Using postmodern feminist and intersectional analysis, I conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with six women to gain insights into their experiences of using cannabis. Contrary to the medical and/or criminal cannabis discourse, the women’s stories reveal examples of unique and overlapping instances of cannabis use which differed from the traditional cannabis dichotomy. The findings of the women’s interviews create an alternative cannabis discourse, in which women’s use of cannabis is experienced as a fluid, multi-functional act with effects that satisfy experiences differently across diverse iv contexts, which extends our existing knowledge base. In relation to existing social work policies and practices, the finding implications are discussed. Ultimately, the thesis identifies opportunities for collaboration between social work and women, many of which could serve to disrupt the perpetuation of women’s stigmatization and surveillance in a legal cannabis framework.