Cannabis is the world’s most popular drug. Different studies say that those who belong to the LGBTQ community smoke more cannabis than straight people by a significant margin.

While most cannabis studies that look into the consumption habits of people rely on self-reporting and aren’t held within a controlled setting, different studies suggest that LGBTQ people have a more positive attitude towards the drug. A 2009 study, published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, found that gay men smoked approximately four times more than straight men. Lesbian women smoked six times more than heterosexual women.

These findings are also replicated in younger demographics, with teens that belong to the LGBTQ community being more likely to consume cannabis, while also being more inclined to consume other substances, such as alcohol and nicotine. Young LGBTQ members face more stressors than their straight counterparts, resulting in higher rates of suicide, bullying, and more.

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Photo by Stavrialena Gontzou via Unsplash

There are many reasons why these results could be occurring, but experts believe it has something to do with the fact that people belonging to the queer community are more likely to suffer from anxiety and other mental health disorders.

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Maybe members of the queer community find refuge in cannabis, using it as a source of relief. It’s more likely for them to encounter the drug earlier on, and to be less prejudiced than others. There’s also the fact that gay people have kids later in life compared to their straight counterparts, giving them more time to explore and use the drug.

More research is necessary to draw significant conclusions, but it’s interesting to wonder why the LGBTQ community seems to have such an affinity for the herb.