The intersection of cannabis and feminism is not a topic often explored in academic settings, but the University of Utah is boldly challenging that norm with a pioneering course that takes a deep dive into the complex relationship between marijuana and gender equality. By examining how the cannabis industry has evolved in the context of social justice, gender norms, and legal frameworks, this course invites students to unpack the assumptions surrounding marijuana use, its legality, and its impact on women and marginalized communities. This innovative curriculum is part of a broader trend of expanding academic inquiry into the role of social justice movements in shaping contemporary policies and cultures.
Redefining Cannabis Culture: Gender, Power, and Resistance
At its core, the course aims to reframe cannabis use through a feminist lens, questioning the social constructs that have long surrounded the plant. In a society where cannabis has been historically demonized, its association with marginalized groups, particularly women and people of color, raises important questions about power, resistance, and access. In its earliest days, marijuana was often linked to countercultures, anti-establishment movements, and minority communities. However, as the cannabis industry has grown, questions have arisen about how the commercialization of cannabis might perpetuate or challenge existing gender inequalities.
Examining the Roots of Stigma
Throughout history, marijuana has been stigmatized as a “dangerous” substance, particularly for women. In the early 20th century, as cannabis became criminalized, narratives around marijuana were often linked to racial and gender stereotypes. For women, cannabis was seen as a moral threat—especially to white women. This reflected broader societal fears about women’s autonomy, sexuality, and resistance to traditional gender roles. In the 1930s, the U.S. government launched a campaign to demonize marijuana through sensationalist media, often linking it with violence and societal degradation. This campaign was especially harmful to women, particularly women of color, who were disproportionately arrested for marijuana-related offenses.
The legal landscape of marijuana has since evolved significantly, with many states in the U.S. legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational use. However, the legacy of these stigmatizing narratives continues to shape how women engage with cannabis—both as users and as participants in the industry. By analyzing these historical roots, the University of Utah course challenges students to reconsider how far society has come in overcoming these stigmas and how much work remains to be done to achieve true equity.
Social Justice, Equity, and Cannabis Legalization
The legalization of cannabis has opened new doors for social justice advocacy, particularly in relation to the over-policing and criminalization of marginalized communities. However, many activists and scholars argue that the benefits of cannabis legalization have not been equally distributed. A key aspect of the University of Utah’s course is examining the disparities in how cannabis laws are enforced and how the industry operates today, particularly when it comes to gender and race.
The Gender Gap in the Cannabis Industry
Despite the massive economic potential of the cannabis market, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles within the industry. According to a 2020 report by Marijuana Business Daily, only 37% of cannabis businesses had women in executive positions, and women of color made up an even smaller proportion of the workforce. This lack of representation is especially concerning given that women have been integral to the activism surrounding cannabis legalization. Many women—particularly women of color—have fought for the decriminalization of cannabis on the grounds of racial justice and gender equality. Yet, these same women often find themselves excluded from the economic opportunities that have emerged in the legalized cannabis market.
Feminist scholars argue that the commercialization of cannabis may inadvertently reinforce traditional gender roles, with women excluded from the upper echelons of the industry and relegated to lower-paying, more menial jobs. The University of Utah course explores how women can both challenge and disrupt these patriarchal structures within the cannabis industry, pushing for a more inclusive and equitable framework that empowers women to take on leadership positions and gain access to resources that are often denied to marginalized groups.
Social Justice Implications for Women of Color
Another critical dimension of the course is its focus on racial justice. The disproportionate impact of cannabis criminalization on communities of color is well-documented, but as legalization spreads, many activists argue that the benefits have not been evenly distributed. The idea of “cannabis equity” is central to this conversation—how can the cannabis industry, which has profited immensely from legalization, give back to the communities that were most harmed by the war on drugs?
Women of color, in particular, have faced both gendered and racial discrimination in the context of cannabis laws. While white men dominate the legal cannabis market, Black and Latina women are often marginalized in this new economic landscape. Furthermore, many women of color who were previously incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses have limited access to resources for re-entering the workforce, further compounding their socioeconomic disadvantage.
Feminist Perspectives on Cannabis Use: Agency and Autonomy
One of the key themes explored in the University of Utah course is the question of agency and autonomy—how women’s relationship with cannabis challenges or reinforces traditional notions of gendered behavior. Feminists have long fought for women’s right to make decisions about their own bodies, and cannabis use is a key part of this debate. From a feminist standpoint, women’s ability to use cannabis on their own terms—whether for recreational or medicinal purposes—is a matter of personal agency and bodily autonomy.
Redefining the Female Experience with Cannabis
For some women, cannabis use is a means of empowerment—a way to reclaim control over their bodies in a society that often seeks to police their behavior. For others, it can serve as a tool for resistance against the hyper-sexualization and objectification that women often face in patriarchal cultures. Cannabis has been used by women to manage pain, stress, and mental health, as well as to enhance creativity and productivity. In this sense, cannabis offers women the opportunity to define their own experiences outside of the dominant narratives around gender and wellness.
However, the stigma surrounding women’s use of cannabis—particularly in public or professional spaces—remains a significant barrier. This reinforces traditional gender roles that regulate women’s behavior and restrict their freedom to express themselves in ways that may be seen as “unfeminine.” The University of Utah course encourages students to critically assess these gendered perceptions and consider how societal views of women’s cannabis use intersect with broader feminist goals of equality and self-determination.
Broader Implications: The Future of Cannabis and Feminism
The course at the University of Utah signals a growing recognition of the need to address the intersectionality of cannabis, gender, and social justice in academic and policy discussions. As more states and countries move toward legalizing cannabis, the question remains: How can feminists and advocates for social justice ensure that the benefits of legalization are shared equitably among all people, particularly women and marginalized communities?
Looking ahead, there is much work to be done to ensure that the cannabis industry becomes a space for gender and racial equity, rather than reinforcing existing power structures. The ongoing advocacy for cannabis equity and the representation of women—especially women of color—in leadership roles within the industry will be crucial in determining the future of cannabis and its relationship to feminism.
Conclusion: Reimagining a New Future
The University of Utah’s innovative course is just one example of how academic institutions are embracing the complexities of cannabis and its broader social, cultural, and political implications. By exploring the intersection of cannabis and feminism, the course is encouraging students to critically engage with the evolving narratives around marijuana, its regulation, and its potential to challenge existing gendered and racial power dynamics. As the cannabis industry continues to expand, it is essential that its growth benefits everyone, especially those who have been most impacted by its criminalization.
As conversations around cannabis and feminism continue to gain momentum, it is clear that the future of cannabis is deeply tied to the struggle for gender equality and social justice. For more information on the intersection of cannabis, gender, and social justice, visit ACLU’s Cannabis Justice Page.
See more TED Talks World
