How Does Weed Affect Relationships? The Good & The Bad

While marijuana has often been linked to relationship challenges, recent studies suggest that, under the right circumstances, it might actually strengthen bonds, ease conflict, and make those intimate moments even better.

In this article, we’ll explore how cannabis can impact relationships, the good and the not-so-good, and what recent research says about couples who light up together.

A 2019 study surveyed 183 couples daily for 30 days and found that when both partners used cannabis, the chances of getting sexually close increased in the following two hours for both men and women. And even if just one partner had used it, both reported those intimate moments feeling much better.

Another study looked into how cannabis affects conflict in relationships and showed that when both partners were using, arguments seemed a bit more manageable. Couples had:

• less anger
• fewer demands or pressures on each other
• higher relationship satisfaction

But for heterosexual couples where only the woman was using cannabis, there tended to be worse conflict resolution, and their overall relationship quality lowered.

While the occasional toke doesn’t typically spell trouble for relationships or mental well-being, the same might not be said about chronic cannabis use. 

Using cannabis frequently over time has been linked to declines in mental health and social skills, often revealing itself in:

• Heightened conflict
• Frequent misunderstandings
• Impulsive actions
• Difficulty forming close connections

Research indicates frequently using cannabis can lead to more negative interactions in a relationship, a tendency to dodge conflict, and a struggle to recover after arguments. 

In one study, 145 couples were recorded discussing a typically tense topic for ten minutes, with at least one partner being a regular cannabis user.

The cannabis-using partner often rated their communication more positively than their non-using partner, even though physiological measurements—like heart rate and breathing—told a different story. The cannabis-using partner tended to:

• Show less flexibility in their stress response
• Take a more critical or demanding stance
• Avoid conflict when possible
• Struggle to recognize positive aspects of the relationship in moments of tension

These findings suggest that while cannabis might bring a sense of calm or optimism to one partner, it could also cloud their awareness of underlying issues, leaving important relationship dynamics unaddressed.

When one partner sees things through a haze of positivity, it can make it harder to work through conflicts together in a way that truly strengthens the relationship.