Men tend to be the majority or most aggressive users of drugs including cannabis. Cannabis is considered one of the few anadromous drugs, and thus should have little gender disparity, this is contradicted as cannabis follows the same trend of male dominance in consumption of, leading to the research into female aversion or their attraction to cannabis use, their reasons for their action, their handling of a gendered drug culture and how characteristics of gender are executed, disputed and revised. Key concepts and theoretical frame. The use of feminist and critical theories to work through their various concepts. The legal reality of cannabis use in Norway and the social stigma of it, even though recreational cannabis use comes with low prevalence and legal ramifications. Both the Norwegian government and the Norwegian population don’t support legalisation of cannabis. Nordic gender equality with its high ranking of such, have been shown to have created ‘egalitarian new man masculinity’ where gender equality is supported; this ideology has been linked with the cannabis culture and users, practically being seen as ‘masculine cool’, as opposed to other alcohol and drug cultures which have been linked to sexism. Restrictions of female use whether self-imposed cultures of ‘issues of self-control, social-control or dependency’, or traditional gender roles causing exclusion to females or labelling females who did challenge gender roles of cannabis use being othered. Method. The combination of two qualitative studies explores female use of cannabis, this happened due to low participation of females, thus getting 12 out of a study of 100 in 2006-2010 and 7 out of a study of 25 in 2008-2010 creating 19 female participants. The 2006 study participants were mostly twenties – thirties, and recruited outside of a clinical setting where they had used cannabis for an extended period, in different ways. The participants were mostly interviewed individually for 1.5-3 hours, with the researchers mostly interested in the participant’s formation of the ideology that their cannabis use was not problematic. The 2008 study participants were aged 23-40, and have no contact with police or drug and alcohol services and were required to have reduced or quit their use of cannabis. They explored drug use in ideals such as motivations, abuse, reflections on other users and personal experience in their reduction of use, in 1.5-3 hours individual sessions. Key findings. The findings separate into four factors. Less social and economic commitment was the behaviours of females in the consumption of, seeking of and continued or non-continued use of cannabis. Females were less likely to consume cannabis heavily, purchase or be a part of the purchasing of cannabis and were usually introduced to cannabis by a partner and who would then determine their continued use. Concerns …show more content…
It is useful for individuals such as policy makers and those who work intimately with individuals, who are disadvantaged, have been othered or have othered. This research has confirmed yet expanded on gendered drug use and would be useful into researching strategies or practices which prevent inequalities in drug use. Having read this article I am surprised that females can be generally quite anxious about unrestrained drug use and prefer to have boundaries to follow. I believe this research should follow up on female’s preference of restraints in other unconventional