A recent federal study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights distinct preferences in cannabis consumption between men and women. The report, based on data from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, shows that while smoking remains the most prevalent form of cannabis use overall, it is favored more by males compared to females.
According to the survey, 19.8% of male cannabis users aged 12 and older reported smoking as their primary method of consumption, in contrast to only 14.3% of female users. This indicates a clear gender divide in smoking habits, with men significantly more likely to choose this method.
On the other hand, women show a stronger preference for cannabis-infused products such as edibles, beverages, and topical applications. The data reveals that 2.5% of female respondents preferred using topicals like lotions and creams, compared to just 1.2% of males. Additionally, women are more likely to consume cannabis edibles and drinks.
The report further notes that among individuals who used marijuana within the last year, males were consistently more inclined to smoke across all age groups, except among adolescents aged 12 to 17, where females matched or surpassed male consumption of edibles and drinks. Younger adults aged 18 to 25 were particularly more likely to smoke cannabis than older groups, with this age bracket also reporting higher usage of multiple consumption methods.
The survey found that nearly 45% of respondents used only one method of cannabis consumption, while around 27.5% reported using two methods, and another 27.6% indicated three or more methods. This trend of sticking to a single consumption method was predominantly observed among older users, while younger users tended to experiment with various consumption forms.
In addition to these findings, a separate report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that smoking remains the primary mode of cannabis use but noted a rising popularity of alternative methods such as eating and vaping. This report utilized responses from an optional marijuana module included in the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, which allowed participants to select multiple consumption methods for the first time since 2016. The increase in reported use of edibles and vaping in 2022 compared to previous years indicates a shift in consumer preferences.
Despite these changing consumption trends, there is evidence suggesting a decline in cannabis use among minors, with a SAMHSA report indicating a slight reduction in consumption among those aged 12 to 20 over the past year.
Interestingly, a recent poll revealed that more Americans smoke cannabis daily than drink alcohol every day. Nearly three times as many adult drinkers expressed a desire to reduce their alcohol intake compared to cannabis users, who showed less inclination to limit their consumption.
The survey findings emphasize the evolving landscape of cannabis consumption in the United States, highlighting the different preferences between genders and age groups as cannabis products diversify.
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