Topicals

A cannabis topical is a lotion, gel, salve, or ointment that is applied directly to the skin. Topicals can provide fast-acting, localized relief of inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Cannabis topicals are typically non-intoxicating, which allows patients to enjoy the plant's potential therapeutic effects without THC's attendant psychoactivity. This growing category of cannabis treatments has expanded to include transdermal solutions, as well as lubricants, often including essential oils such as clove and wintergreen for additional relief. Cannabis used in topicals allows cannabinoids to be absorbed into the bloodstream at a slower rate than smokable or edible cannabis, so the effects of topicals are typically felt only where they're used so there's no THC-related intoxication. In addition to lotions, cannabis topicals are available as oils, patches, sprays, soaps, lubricants, bath salts, and cool or warm balms and are often made with essential oils and other organic materials. You might find tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in topicals, but whether they have an intoxicating effect depends on the cannabinoids used and where on your body they are applied.