How Americans Use Cannabis Varies by Gender and Age, Federal Data Shows
A growing number of Americans are embracing marijuana in different forms—but how they use it seems to vary significantly between men and women, according to new federal research.
A detailed analysis of cannabis consumption habits, published by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reveals that men are much more likely to smoke marijuana, while women are opting for edibles, cannabis-infused drinks, and even topical products like lotions and patches.
Men Light Up, Women Mix It Up
Among cannabis users aged 12 and older, nearly 20% of men said smoking was their main method of consumption—compared to 14.3% of women. Women, on the other hand, are twice as likely to prefer using cannabis in topical forms like creams or transdermal patches. They’re also more inclined to choose edible or drinkable options.
The findings are based on national responses to the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a comprehensive government study that tracks substance use trends across the U.S.
Patterns by Age and Method
Interestingly, the gender gap in marijuana smoking doesn’t hold among younger users. In fact, among teens aged 12 to 17, females were slightly more likely than males to eat or drink cannabis rather than smoke it.
Men were also more likely to report using inhalable cannabis products like vaporizers or concentrates, while women leaned towards oral alternatives such as tinctures, sprays, or lozenges.
Most cannabis consumers stick to just one method of use, the report notes, with nearly 45% saying they only use a single form of cannabis. But young adults—especially those aged 18 to 25—are more adventurous. They’re far more likely to use two or even three different forms of marijuana compared to older users.
Trends Are Shifting
These findings align with another recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which found that while smoking remains the most common method of cannabis use, consumption via edibles and vaping is on the rise.
That CDC study used data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationwide phone survey. For the first time since 2016, the survey allowed participants to select multiple ways they use cannabis—highlighting a broader trend toward multi-modal marijuana use.
Whether it’s joints, gummies, or lotions, one thing is clear: cannabis consumption in the U.S. is not one-size-fits-all.
Read More on Cannabis Trends
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