Women are turning to cannabis for relief after other treatments failed

A CNN report finds many women are using cannabis to manage symptoms that conventional treatments did not resolve, and researchers and small businesses—especially in places like Oklahoma—are developing women-focused products while science and policy continue to evolve.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta's latest documentary installment, "Weed 8: Women and Weed," examines how many women are turning to cannabis after conventional treatments did not provide sufficient relief. The reporting draws on interviews across the country and on the author's long-running series about cannabis and medicine. It places these individual stories against a broader history of women's health concerns being underrecognized and underresearched. The piece notes growing interest from researchers and medical organizations in reevaluating cannabis policy and study. Key observations: - Many women report using cannabis for issues such as cancer treatment side effects, endometriosis, menopause symptoms, chronic pain and mood or sleep problems after other options failed. - Women now outpace men in cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults, according to the report's discussion of available data. - Oklahoma is highlighted as a rapid-growth example, where legalization has fostered local, women-led businesses producing women-focused cannabis products. - Researchers mentioned include Dr. Staci Gruber at MIND, studying cannabis for endometriosis and menopause symptoms, and Dr. Hilary Marusak, studying cannabis effects across life stages. - The story recalls Charlotte Figi's case, which helped bring attention to medical cannabis and influenced public conversation. Summary: The report presents a pattern of women seeking cannabis after finding limited relief from conventional care and describes a parallel rise in women-led businesses and targeted research. The documentary episode airs April 19 on CNN and streams April 20, and broader scientific and policy developments are reported as ongoing.