How Cannabis Supports LGBTQIA+ Wellness

For many LGBTQIA+ people, cannabis is more than a plant—it’s a lifeline. It offers relief, presence, and peace in a world where systemic barriers, societal stigma, and discrimination still make wellness difficult to access.

The statistics speak for themselves: LGBTQIA+ individuals are more likely to experience mental health disorders, face barriers to healthcare, and experience violence or rejection from their communities. Cannabis, in this context, becomes a means of self-care, harm reduction, and emotional grounding. Studies suggest that cannabinoids can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. It can also help reduce chronic stress through its modulation of the endocannabinoid system.

Many trans individuals use cannabis to navigate the complexities of gender dysphoria. Though research is emerging, qualitative reports show that cannabis may offer relief from body dysphoria and reduce stress related to social or medical transition. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research found that trans and nonbinary participants were more likely than their cisgender peers to report using cannabis for stress and emotional regulation.

But access is only as effective as the environment it's offered in. For LGBTQIA+ cannabis users, walking into a dispensary should feel affirming, not intimidating. Unfortunately, not all cannabis spaces are inclusive. That’s why it matters that brands, dispensaries, and events work to build safe, welcoming spaces for queer and trans people to ask questions, seek education, and feel seen. Representation among budtenders, marketing teams, and decision-makers plays a huge role in creating this sense of belonging.

Some dispensaries now feature gender-inclusive signage, host dedicated community events, and offer LGBTQIA+ sensitivity training for staff. These small actions have a ripple effect, transforming dispensaries from transactional environments into spaces of trust and care.

At Dabstract, we believe that access to wellness is a right, not a luxury. We support inclusive retail spaces, community partnerships with LGBTQIA+-owned dispensaries, and content that centers queer wellness stories. As we reflect on Pride Month, we want to do more than just wave a rainbow flag; we want to actively support the communities that shaped the cannabis space we love.

Last year, we profiled some of the queer pioneers whose stories shaped cannabis access:

• Celebrating Pride Month: A Reading and Resource List on LGBTQIA+ Cannabis Activists

• The Sweet Activism of Brownie Mary: Cannabis and Compassion

• Celebrating Pride Month: Honoring Dennis Peron, the Father of Medical Cannabis

• Stitching Together Change: Cleve Jones and the Fight for LGBTQ+ and Cannabis Rights

We dab with pride, in honor of the past and in support of a more inclusive, compassionate future.

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