They tried everything, and nothing worked. Now, women are turning to cannabis for help

Key Points:

• The upcoming documentary "Weed 8: Women and Weed," airing April 19 on CNN, explores how cannabis has become a crucial alternative for many women underserved by conventional medicine, particularly for conditions like cancer treatment side effects, endometriosis, and menopause symptoms.
• Historically, women's health issues have often been minimized or misdiagnosed, with women underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to gaps in effective treatments; cannabis use among women, especially middle-aged and older adults, has risen as a response to these challenges.
• Oklahoma serves as a notable example of a grassroots cannabis revolution led by women entrepreneurs creating women-focused cannabis products and communities, emphasizing empowerment and healing over stigma.
• Scientific research on cannabis is advancing, with women researchers leading studies on its effects on neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, and menopause, although policy changes lag behind scientific progress.
• The documentary highlights personal stories, including that of Charlotte Figi, whose dramatic improvement from epilepsy using cannabis helped shift public perception, underscoring the broader movement for dignity, agency, and recognition of women's health needs through cannabis.