The goal of this review is to summarize current evidence for sex differences in the response to cannabinoid compounds, focusing mainly on a specific age of exposure, i.e., adolescence. Preclinical as well as clinical studies are examined. Among the different possible underlying mechanisms, the consistent dimorphism in the endocannabinoid system and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol metabolism may play a part. All the collected data point to the need of including females in basic research as well as of analyzing results for sex differences in epidemiological studies.
Keywords: Cannabis abuse; adolescence; animal models; human studies; sex.