Medical Cannabis for Women – What You Need to Know

It is estimated that there are some 60,000 medical cannabis patients in the UK in 2025, just over half of whom are women. The most commonly prescribed conditions for medical cannabis are mostly chronic pain related – and women are disproportionately affected by many ailments that cause chronic pain. However, some stigma and misunderstandings still remain. So, what conditions are women across the UK treating with medical cannabis right now, and what are the key facts and research? 

This article will look at common women’s health issues cannabis is prescribed for right now, the story of a key player in the legalisation of medical cannabis and the various areas of study that are currently being looked into. This is what you need to know about medical cannabis for women’s health. 

Case Study – Carly Barton Became the First Legal British Cannabis Patient

Carly Barton was a 24-year-old teaching assistant in Fine Art at the University of Brighton in 2011, when a stroke led to her developing the neurological condition fibromyalgia. She spent six years debilitated by extreme pain, mostly in bed and unable to work or easily perform basic activities. At her lowest she weighed just six stone and was taking morphine and fentanyl several times a day.

But in 2016, she discovered cannabis – on the black market – and from there her life changed. Barton instantly began weaning off opiates, after feeling pain free for what she said was the first time in years. She used her newfound lease of life to become one of the growing number of advocates for legal medicinal cannabis in the UK. When that happened in 2018, Barton became the first legal patient treating with vaped cannabis flower.

Eventually, due to concerns over stigma and police suspicion, Barton went on to become a key campaigner for introducing a medical cannabis card system to the UK. Today, top cannabis clinics will have a card system. These cards are given to medical cannabis patients so they can easily identify themselves as a legitimate legal patient to police, employers or other concerned individuals.

According to global studies, 80% of conditions causing chronic pain have a higher prevalence in women than men. So it was no surprise that a woman with chronic pain was the first UK patient to benefit from medical cannabis.  

Cannabis Can Treat Chronic Pain from Women’s Health Issues 

More than 75% of women experience menopausal symptoms at some point in their life, that can last for years at a time. Medical cannabis has been researched as an effective treatment for vaso-motor symptoms (hot sweats), insomnia and anxiety and chronic pain that can be caused by hormonal changes. 

The endocannabinoid system, through which the cannabinoids in cannabis react with the body, is known to be involved with regulating temperature. Many women have anecdotally reported medical cannabis treatment has helped with hot flushes, but the research is inconclusive.

Cannabis has also been proven to promote the release of melatonin, an important hormone for sleep regulation. Through this it has cannabis has shown promise as a method of curing short term insomnia. However, the effects of regular cannabis treatment on long-term sleep quality is debated and research skews towards negative.

Of course, like an medicine, cannabis can have side effects. Interestingly, the negative short-term side effects of cannabis are hugely dose dependent and tend to decrease with regular treatment, meaning they aren’t overly common. However, especially in strains with higher THC and less CBD, some potentially unwanted side effects could include: 

• Dizziness
• A short period of nausea and low blood pressure colloquially known as a “whitey”
• Drowsiness and slowed reflexes

Other Health Issues Common in Women Cannabis Could Treat 

As noted previously, chronic pain issues are more common in women – and these are not limited to just women’s health. The efficacy of cannabis as a painkiller has been understood for thousands of years, and has now mostly been confirmed by modern scientific study. 

Although the science does not paint it as a miracle cure all painkiller, research has shown medicinal cannabis can be as effective and less harmful than opioid medications in treating various conditions. Chronic pain is the most prescribed condition for medical weed in the UK, with patients finding relief with cannabis for arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis and severe period pains, among a myriad of other issues. 

Cannabis’ role in stimulating various neurochemical processes, including reuptake of serotonin, dopamine and activation of type 1 cannabinoid receptors in various brain areas, also make it a potent tool for not just pain relief but also pain management.

Cannabis has shown promise in research in treating conditions related to chronic pain, such as:

• Anhedonia 
• Low appetite 
• Insomnia
• Anxiety and depression

However, there still remains some way to go. For one thing, many women in the UK are unaware that medical cannabis could be a legal treatment option through private clinics. Although a majority of NHS doctors say they are in favor of including medical cannabis in their range of treatment options, the health service is currently very limited in what it will prescribe. On the flipside, private clinics are happy to consult on women’s health issues and could well prescribe cannabis for your condition today.