Cannabis is often a subject of mixed opinions, especially in places where its use remains largely stigmatized. But for some Nigerian women, cannabis has become more than just a recreational substance—it’s a part of their lifestyle, a tool for relaxation, wellness, creativity, and even empowerment. In this feature, we take an unfiltered look at the diverse experiences of 10 Nigerian women as they share their personal journeys with cannabis. They offer candid insights into how cannabis fits into their lives, their self-discovery, and their sense of empowerment in a society where their choices are often questioned.
From smoking to edibles, from community bonds to solo sessions, explore the raw, unfiltered truths from women who are breaking the stigma one puff at a time.
How did you first get into cannabis?
Teni, 25, Lagos: I would say curiosity. It was my second year in uni and I knew a couple of people who smoked but I just never smoked. I started talking to one boy some classes ahead of me, when I visited him, he asked if I wanted to smoke and I agreed. Prior to when I went to his BQ, we will talked about how we cant wait to get high with each other. Funny enough, on that day I smoked, I didn’t get high. We concluded that I wasn’t inhaling well.
Rita, 29, Abuja: Just sheer bragado and bravado
Yani, 29, Lagos: My decision to start smoking was a mix of wellness inspired by curiosity
Reneè, 25, Lagos: I thought it was a cool thing to do
Fati, 25, Lagos: I started smoking when I was 19. My dad was a smoker and I would catch him a few times trying to sneak a cigarette when he thought the house was mellow. I bought my first cig in SS3, just out of curiosity and never smoked again, out of fear I think. When I entered Uni, my 100 level roommate used to smoke weed. One day I asked her if I could try a puff, and the rest was history.
Cleopatra, 26, Lagos: Curiosity…I wanted to find out if it’ll make me go crazy like when I see some persons take it. Luckily for me, it didn’t do anything the first time
Mayowa, 29, Ibadan: Curiosity
Precious, 26, Abuja: I started smoking purely for wellness reasons
Dee, 24, Lagos: Curiosity led to my first puff
Victoria, 25, Abuja: I wanted to know what it felt like to get high
What’s your preferred method of ingesting cannabis? And how often do you indulge ?
Teni, 25, Lagos: Smoking. I used to smoke everyday for the past 2 years, but I had to reduce the rate because the price of loud is now insane. Now I can go weeks without smoking. To me it’s still a win, my lungs need a break.
Rita, 29, Abuja: Smoking
Yani, 29, Lagos: I smoke everyday—I love smoking and eating, I smoke everyday lol
Reneè, 25, Lagos: Smoking because it’s the quickest and I smoke almost everyday
Fati, 25, Lagos: My preferred method is through food. Like baking with weed oil. I like how heavy the high is. It gives me this sense of chill focus. But for practical reasons, I just light a joint for everyday use. I smoke frequently, but not everyday all the time. I can go on breaks once in a while, it depends on my state of mind and how much work I have on my desk.
Sometimes, the work is the kind you need weed to make it more tolerable or to get your creative juices flowing. other times, the work is the kind you need clear eyes to see road.
Cleopatra, 26, Lagos: I prefer smoking it and I only smoke on social occasions
Mayowa, 29, Ibadan: I rather smoke
Precious, 26, Abuja: Smoking
Dee, 24, Lagos: Smoking
Victoria, 25, Abuja: I smoke almost everyday
Has cannabis played a role in elevating your life, confidence or your sense of empowerment? If yes, how?
Teni, 25, Lagos: I smoke to relax, so in terms of resting, sleeping or just being in the moment, cannabis has helped that area of my life.
Rita, 29, Abuja: Maybe when I just started, but I don’t feel empowered by weed any longer.
Yani, 29, Lagos: Yes it has. It has helped me relax, and stop being overly critical of myself
Reneè, 25, Lagos: It makes me feel more creative and makes me look at things from multiple and interesting points of view
Fati, 25, Lagos: Yeah, I relate to that. Sex with weed is phenomenal . Every sensation is heightened and usually, it’s mostly when I am high I can quickly get my orgasms. Weed has also helped with my social anxiety. I know weed heightens social anxiety for so many people, but its different for me. I am at my most chillest when I am outside and high. I am able to be more sociable and I give less fucks about being perceived.
Cleopatra, 26, Lagos: It makes me a lot more chill and lively than usual. Nothing gets me angry when I’m high
Mayowa, 29, Ibadan: I like smoking because it makes me calm–depending on what I want to achieve at that moment. Sometimes I take it to enable me be more productive and meet up with tasks and deadlines. Other times, I smoke to elevate my mood.
Precious, 26, Abuja: It boosts my confidence and lowers my chances of falling into depression
Dee, 24, Lagos: I don’t necessarily see it as empowering. It’s a guilty pleasure for me after a long day or before I begin a long day lol.
Victoria, 25, Abuja: Smoking calms me and makes me feel more confident in myself, especially when I’m having a bad day. It also helps with my anxiety and appetite.
What does community around cannabis look like for you? Do you have a community or group of like-minded women who bond over it? And how has this community impacted you?
Perhaps are you more of a loner stoner?
Teni, 25, Lagos: I smoke with my friends, it’s always such a happy session. Sometimes when we smoke together, we get into this space where our goals become clearer and we start encouraging each other on how to achieve them. I am not a loner stoner in any way, I love getting high with my people.
Rita, 29, Abuja: Currently, I am not into finding a community of people who use cannabis. I want to quit for good.
Yani, 29, Lagos: I have a community, my family.
Reneè, 25, Lagos: I do have a community of friends that are stoners, but I prefer to be a loner stoner cause I hate sharing my cannabis
Fati, 25, Lagos: Loner stoner? That sounds boring. My favourite friends are stoners, and they are also smart, kind and fun, so I don’t only go to them when i want to get high. My favorite things to do with my friends that smoke are honestly mundane things–“it’s like, lets get high, order in and watch this cartoon”, “follow me grocery shopping, but lets smoke first”, “come work from home in my house, i have edibles”.
Cleopatra, 26, Lagos: I smoke with my friends whenever they’re around,. It’s always fun when we smoke together. We sing dance and pour out our hearts.
Mayowa, 29, Ibadan: I prefer to smoke alone. I generally like being alone
Precious, 26, Abuja: I have part of a community of female stoners, and they are part of my best girls.
Dee, 24, Lagos: I like smoking alone
Victoria, 25, Abuja: My friends and I bond over it
Do you ever feel hesitant or unsure about your cannabis use? If so, what are some of the things that hold you back or make you think twice?
Teni, 25, Lagos: Only while I was in uni because my roomates never smoked, and I had to sneak and hide in the bathroom to smoke so that they wouldn’t be disturbed. They still made a fuss out of it, so at times like that I always wondered if my cannabis use for worth the hassle (the answer was always yes lol)
Rita, 29, Abuja: Yes. Weed makes me tired, unproductive and locked in my mind. At first it was cute and helped my creativity a lot. But now it’s just … meh
Yani, 29, Lagos: I never feel hesitant about it
Reneè, 25, Lagos: Never. How are people going through life sober please?
Fati, 25, Lagos: My least favourite thing about my cannabis use is how it has darkened my lips. I used to have supple pink lips before, but that’s in the past lol. I think I will solve that problem once I am able to access more variety of THC without necessarily having to smoke. Maybe I should move to a country where weed is legal lol
Cleopatra, 26, Lagos: I’ve never felt unsure or hesitant about hitting a joint
Mayowa, 29, Ibadan: In two scenarios, yes: if i’m smoking with someone for the first time or if I’m not sure about the origin of the weed. But I will ask.
Precious, 26, Abuja: Honestly, I never feel unsure.
Dee, 24, Lagos: Sometimes, I wonder… will smoking right now have any effects on my body in the future?
Victoria, 25, Abuja: No, I don’t
*Some names were changed and responses edited for the sake of clarity and privacy
