The world of cannabis is changing, as new products and different applications arrive on the market every month.
What is also changing is the number of women who are using cannabis and related products. Research in recent years has shown that the usage gap between men and women is shrinking, as more women look to cannabis as an alternative to pharmaceuticals or for recreational purposes.
“Women are the strongest growing demographic among our customers,” says Dani Derose, part of the marketing team at Remedy Tulalip in Marysville. “Many women are proactive in taking care of their health and we’re seeing a lot of women crossing over who haven’t used cannabis much before.”
CBD vs. THC: What’s the difference?
Jeni Birmingham, one of Remedy’s experienced and knowledgeable budtenders, says she often finds herself educating women on the differing ratios of CBD (cannabidiol, the non-intoxicating compound) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive element) in the multitude of products available. She does so by asking about the customer’s needs.
“I ask how much of a head change they are comfortable with, because a lot of the time that’s the barrier,” she says. “They want the relief, they want the experience of the cannabinoids, but not so much of a head high, so I might steer them toward products with a higher CBD and a lower THC.”
What are women buying these days?
With desired outcomes ranging from pain relief or help with anxiety, to recreational relaxation or mood change, women have many different reasons for coming in, Birmingham says. If you’re looking to try cannabis, but perhaps are reluctant or averse to smoking, there are numerous other ways to enjoy its benefits. At Remedy, women are choosing topical creams and lotions, as well as edibles.
More than just a pretty package
Birmingham admits that as “visual animals,” women often like products “with pretty packages,” but through conversations about their needs or hopes she ensures clients get the right product for the purpose.
“A lot of ladies like the chocolates, and when they go for something pretty, it’s almost always gummies, simply for convenience. They can put it in their purse or pocket and not worry about it melting too much.” One woman uses CBD flower for recovery purposes after running marathons, she adds. “And not everyone enjoys the taste of cannabis, or wants the sugar of an edible, so capsules are really popular, especially among our elders, who are already comfortable taking pharmaceuticals and pills.”
Feel free to ask questions
If you’re a newcomer to cannabis, or haven’t used it in years, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about what it can do for you. The comfortable, casual environment in Remedy, combined with knowledgeable staff who will take time with you, makes it easy to make an educated choice. Visit them on 34th Avenue near The Home Depot or go online to remedytulalip.com.