The term “stoner” instantly evokes a familiar stereotype. It’s an exaggeration that has endured for decades, steeped in masculine energy and tied to a cannabis culture that rarely, if ever, acknowledges women.
For many women, the label “stoner” feels neither relevant nor empowering – more like an ill-fitting hand-me-down they never wanted.
It’s Not Integral to our Identity
Most women don’t consume cannabis and suddenly feel the need to announce they’re a stoner. They’re not building a personality around it because it’s not a lifestyle; it’s simply a part of life. A part of life that isn’t integral to their identity but a small reprieve from the sheer exhaustion of holding it together. These experiences are nuanced, layered, and personal. The word “stoner” doesn’t encapsulate that – it reduces it.
Unlike men, who’ve had the luxury of embracing the stoner identity, many women find it limiting. It flattens their relationship with cannabis into a single word that prioritises image over intention. When cannabis becomes part of a woman’s life, it doesn’t have to dominate her identity – it’s just one of many tools she uses to navigate her world.
Dare I say, women don’t have the luxury of making cannabis their entire personality – they’re juggling too many other identities as it is. They’re creators, mothers, professionals, and everything in between.
By Men, For Men
When the word “stoner” comes up, it’s often a man telling me to embrace it. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said, “own it” as if it’s a badge of honour. My first thought is always the same: Of course, it’s empowering for you – the culture has forever been in your favour. Cheech and Chong. Seth Rogan. Snoop Dogg. Case closed.
Women? Barely a whisper, unless they’re the sexy love interest passing the joint or a one-off episode in a sitcom where the girls get high because someone got dumped on a post-it note.
For decades, the industry and its culture have left little room for women. The cannabis market has long prioritised men as its default audience, from product design to advertising. Even as cannabis becomes more mainstream, its cultural baggage remains: a lingering sense that this aesthetic belongs to men, while women are pushed to the sidelines being asked to “embrace it.”
A Word That Feels Outdated and Shameful
In a survey we conducted, 77% of individuals said they believe the term “stoner” is outdated. Many described it as shameful, saying it made them feel unseen and erased their unique experiences. For some, the word brought up memories of being judged or dismissed for their choices.
This isn’t just about personal discomfort, it’s about cultural erasure. For women who use cannabis intentionally, the term “stoner” clings to an era where cannabis culture was exclusive and steeped in stereotypes that served only a specific kind of consumer.
Which is why I’ve always voiced how we speak about cannabis, and the terms we use to describe those who consume it, are fundamental to reshaping its story and our own internal dialogue. The words we choose matter.
Unpacking the Culture
The good news? Cannabis is undergoing a new look. It’s no longer just about getting high – it’s about feeling good. And women are at the forefront of this transformation, even as the cultural landscape struggles to meet their needs.
Cannabis culture is changing, and it’s time the language we use to describe it changes too. We deserve a vocabulary that reflects the multifaceted ways we engage with cannabis – not a one-dimensional label.
Rejecting the word “stoner” is a small but significant act of reclaiming space. And I am personally here for it.
