BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid exposures and health outcomes, including consumer safety, perceptions, and motivations, represent an emerging field of epidemiological interest. Women's perceptions, motives, and risk for adverse health effects related to cannabinoid use may differ from those of men. Researchers aimed to assess the current body of literature on cannabinoid use specific to the historically understudied population of women.

METHODS: Researchers developed cannabinoid safety, perception, and motivation criteria and conducted searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for human epidemiological studies published between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023. Researchers used the Covidence review management platform to screen and extract data.

RESULTS: Of 270 studies identified, 80% were related to evidence of safety, 17% to motivations for use, and 10% to perceptions surrounding cannabinoid use (categories not mutually exclusive). Most articles specified cannabis/marijuana use (90%), followed by cannabidiol (CBD) (9%), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (7%). Study sample composition varied, including at least 45% women (37%), sex-specific outcomes (27%), women-only (20%), and maternal-offspring dyads (16%). Most common study designs were cross-sectional (37%), retrospective cohort (18%), and prospective cohort (16%).

CONCLUSIONS: Research mainly covered outcomes related to cannabis/marijuana use. More longitudinal data are needed on women's health outcomes, especially those related to cannabinoids, such as CBD and delta-8 THC. Knowledge gaps also exist in identifying motivations for using cannabinoids in pregnancy and self-treatment of women-specific conditions, and sources informing perceptions on cannabinoid use. Closing these gaps in knowledge is an important step in facilitating communication between health care providers and women.