Women's Day: A Commemoration of Women’s Rights & the Right to Smoke Weed
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Time to read 5 min
March 8th, the day when brave women all over the world protest and demand their rights. And among all the social issues many women face, there are some activists focused on the right to smoke weed, looking to bring into the table topics like body autonomy and embracing pleasure.
International Women's Day emerged out of the need to raise awareness for the issues affecting women, struggles that, unfortunately, continue to be relevant today.
While some countries' protests are centered around attaining equal positions and salaries as their male counterparts, as well as respect for their right to decision-making, in other parts of the world, women's protest center in crimes against women, such as feminicides, disappearances, and obtaining basic human rights like access to healthcare, education, and the right to choose.
In such diverse realities worldwide, March 8th is a day to come together towards the goals that still need to be achieved in terms of women's rights.
Table Of Contents
The Origins of Women's Day
The origins of Women's Day date from back to March 8, 1857, when a group of women in New York were working in a textile factory. They organized and protested for better working conditions and shorter hour shifts, but were violently repressed by the police. 120 women lost their lives in this tragic event, some in a deliberately set fire. This terrible incident was a catalyst for the labor movement.
Decades later, in 1910, the Second International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen set March 8th as International Women's Day, commemorating the death of the 120 women in New York.
Although March 8th day had been designated, it wasn't until the UN formalized it in 1975 that it became official worldwide. Since then, women worldwide come together on this day to demand their rights and solutions to issues such as the right to choose about their bodies, an end to war and violence, and equality for the same opportunities as other citizens.
Woman with KØL mini pipe near her mouth (HØJ Media)
Why Cannabis is Relevant in Women's Fight for Rights
As stigmatized as cannabis consumption is in our society, women are increasingly entering the world of cannabis, whether as activists, consumers, or part of the legal marijuana industry. Statistics suggest that women consume it more for medicinal purposes, such as treating anxiety, depression, and various pains, like menstrual pain.
Despite more women getting involved with cannabis, its consumption is still a significant taboo, with a large percentage of female consumers choosing to hide it (66% according to the Connecticut Health-I-Team). One reason women stay away from this industry is undoubtedly representation, as it has long seemed like a male-dominated world, rarely seen from a female perspective.
Additionally, a significant obstacle is the numerous countries where marijuana is illegal, and in several of them, also criminalized. For example, countries like the United States and Mexico, where marijuana is legal in various states or under certain circumstances, women are still in prison for offenses such as transporting marijuana, facing the weight of a sexist system that doesn't value the socio-economic and structural violence they face.
Here, the challenges of legalization and regulation, coupled with social injustices against women, come into play. The issue is not about women wanting to consume weed, but the violence and consequences of the lack of regulation in different countries.
Women's Protests & Cannabis
Moreover, women around the world manifest for the right to abortion and to live a peaceful life free from aggression. Actually, more female cannabis enthusiasts are also gathering to advocate for legalization, smoking as a form of protest to engage in activism to defend their ideals of a world without marijuana criminalization. Ultimately, the right to decide about one's body also includes the right to consume substances like marijuana.
A talking point these pro-choice groups want to highlight is the prohibition of substances as a way to control the female body: if enjoyment and accurate information about marijuana are prohibited, limits are imposed on women's power over their own personal being.
Another talking point is weed and reproductive health, where the information is often portrayed in general terms, dismissing specific effects which are important but are rarely mentioned.
Medical literature agrees that cannabis use can cause certain alterations in the menstrual cycle and ovulation, although there isn't enough data to suspect serious effects like infertility. However, it does have a negative incidence on in vitro fertilization.
On the other hand, it's not advisable to use marijuana during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as traces of the substance can be found within the baby and make them feel drowsy. But how are women supposed to choose if these kind of information is kept from them?
Studies about weed have been neglected during decades, but the ones about weed's effects on women have been practically ignored. That’s why it’s very important to recognize the relevance of cannabis use in women's health and the particular effects on the body.
Woman smoking from KØL mini pipe (HØJ Media)
Woman laughing and holding a KØL mini pipe (HØJ Media)
Commemorating vs. Celebrating
The path to transforming society is slow, but thanks to women's activism, where they contribute with their knowledge, time, energy, and voice to find justice and equity, there have been real advances towards human rights and women's rights globally, with new laws to protect them and awareness in some sectors.
However, much is still to be done, and until every girl and woman is secure and lives a dignified life, we all must direct efforts to address the issues they face.
Although there's controversy about "celebrating" International Women's Day, we'd like to point out that the correct word should be "commemorating": remembering the achievements women have made through history, not celebrating women for the sake of being women.
It’s a beautiful thing we get a day to pause and look at the unification of women throughout the world, ready to keep on fighting for what has been taken from them since the very existence of society.
International Women's Day: How You Can Help
If you have the opportunity, join the cause by supporting from your own circumstances and possibilities.
For every man out there, let me tell you that one of the best ways to help is to be informed and do whatever you can so women in your life have the resources (like time and energy, for example) to protest.
To all the women who want to participate, look if your city will hold a local protest. If you can, take your activism to the streets so the world knows the fight for building a better future for women and girls around the world carries on.
Simon V. Folmann
Simon Folmann
Simon is an accomplished entrepreneur and inventor in the cannabis industry. He’s the founder and CEO of HØJ; a revolutionary high-end cannabis accessories company. His mission is to change the way we experience the herb and enhance people’s smoking experience through knowledge and unique products.
Disclaimer: HØJ is not a medical advice blog, so please consult with a doctor or a specialist if you have any questions regarding smoking or anything related to cannabis consumption itself.
