“People Need to Know What the Rules Are”: Medical Cannabis Access for Mothers and Female Caregivers in Pennsylvania

Many medical cannabis patients in treatment for chronic health conditions are mothers, and it is critical that we understand their experience in accessing medical cannabis while they simultaneously navigate their caregiving responsibilities to inform more equitable access, responsive program design, and supportive clinical guidance. Using a feminist approach, this qualitative study explored influential factors for differential engagement for mothers and female caregivers enrolled in a state medical cannabis program. We conducted in-depth interviews with 48 participants who identified as mothers or female caregivers and were certified medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania. Participants were predominantly white (72.9%), with a mean age of 42. Interviews were conducted virtually between July and September 2024, transcribed, and coded using NVivo. Qualitative interview findings illuminated barriers in mothers’ and female caregivers’ experiences related to entry to the medical cannabis program (e.g., difficulties finding a provider for certification, legal ambiguity specific to maternal authorization, and challenges of the certification process and costs); barriers to consistent access and use upon enrollment (e.g., accessing dispensaries, sustainable access and use of products); and suggestions for program improvements. These findings highlight opportunities to reduce structural and logistical barriers experienced by mothers and female caregivers through provider education, streamlined program processes, improved access to dispensaries and products, and policies that are responsive to the realities of caregiving. Accessible, evidence-informed guidance may reduce uncertainty for providers and patients while underscoring the need for further research.