SINFUL STIGMA: THE EFFECT OF STIGMA ON CANNABIS INITIATION, USE AND SEEKING TREATMENT - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Summary
Introduction: The use of recreational cannabis worldwide continues to rise globally, and it is
currently the most commonly used drug, outside alcohol and tobacco. Despite the growing use of cannabis and the increase in legalization all over the world, consumers are often subject to stigma or disapproval from others, which may significantly impact future use, as well as the willingness to seek treatment when needed.
Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to determine the effects of stigma relating to
cannabis use on the initiation of cannabis use, the frequency of cannabis use, and the process
of seeking treatment for individuals dealing with a cannabis use disorder. The influence of
the legal status of cannabis on stigma is also explored.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted, and in April 2025, two databases (PubMed and
Scopus) were searched for relevant peer reviewed literature using a combination of
keywords. The initial search identified 1,390 results in total, covering publications from 1972 to 2025. After removing 294 duplicates, the remaining articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria. Ultimately, 28 articles were selected for inclusion in the systematic review for abstraction and thematic analysis.
Results: Research studied in this review shows that stigma can reduce both the frequency of
cannabis use as well as an individual’s willingness to seek treatment. Moreover, while the legalization of cannabis use may reduce stigma, it often persists nonetheless. This review also highlights the presence of intersectional stigmas and variation in stigma experiences across genders.
Conclusions: The high influence of stigma on cannabis use and simultaneously serving as a
barrier for treatment entry shows the need to account for stigma when designing policies and treatment for individuals who use cannabis. Laws and regulations can play a role in this influence, but attention must be paid to the influence of intersectional and gender stigmas.