Sex and Drugs? Women's Role in Seattle's Cannabis Markets

• In Event: Roundtable: Substance Use

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth exploration into women’s access and participation in the recreational, medical, and underground sectors of Seattle’s cannabis industry. The broader study contextualizes the cannabis industry as a key segment of the labor market, providing both economic opportunities and formal and informal positions of employment. Although our larger study investigates these markets’ intersections with the criminal justice system and economic markets with a particular focus on the ability for Black men to access these markets, this study focuses on the experiences of women in this still stigmatized and federally illegal industry. Specifically, the present study investigates the extent to which women participate in each market and potential barriers to securing legal ownership and employment within these markets. Legal cannabis markets have been characterized as white male dominated with many barriers preventing communities of color from benefiting off these economic opportunities. However, we hypothesize women, in particular, have been locked out of these markets even prior to legalization as cannabis use among women does not conform to gender norms. To explore these questions we are currently surveying consumers and conducting in-depth interviews with primary sellers and employees within each of the three marijuana markets (recreational, medical and underground).

Authors

• Michele Lindsay Cadigan, University of Washington

• Alexes Harris, University of Washington