What cannabis topicals are
A cannabis topical is a product infused with cannabis extract and meant for the outside of the body: skin, hair or nails. Leafly lists salves, balms, creams, lotions, oils, sprays, salts, bath bombs and transdermal patches among the types, and notes that topicals can contain THC, CBD and other cannabis compounds. Cannabis topicals became a legal product class in Canada on October 17, 2019, alongside edible cannabis and cannabis extracts (Health Canada).
Common formats include:
- Balms: cannabis extract, carrier oils and waxes, solid at room temperature.
- Salves: thick, often made with shea butter, coconut oil or beeswax.
- Creams and lotions: for the face and body.
- Cooling gels and sticks: the cool feeling comes from added menthol or arnica; cannabis extracts do not produce it on their own.
- Roll-ons: light, quick-drying formulas applied without touching the product.
- Bath bombs, salts and soaks: dissolve in warm water; see the guide to CBD bath bombs.
- Massage oils and lubricants.
- Transdermal patches, gels and roll-ons: formulated for deeper absorption, covered below.
How to apply a topical
Start with the label, because directions vary by product. In general, apply the desired amount of a balm to the area, massage a salve or cream into the skin with clean hands until it is absorbed, glide a gel or stick over the area, or drop a bath product into warm water and soak for as long as the directions say. Effects stay local, and you may need to reapply for them to last.
Store topicals like any cannabis: out of sight and reach of children and pets, in the original child-resistant packaging (Health Canada).
Why most topicals don't cause a high
It comes down to where the cannabinoids go. Most topicals don't penetrate the skin deeply enough to reach the bloodstream, Leafly explains, so they do not produce an intoxicating high, even when they contain THC: the cannabinoids are absorbed superficially and do not enter the bloodstream in significant quantities.
Health Canada's science advisory committee made the same point about CBD: when pure CBD oil is applied to the skin, as in a cream, very little gets past the most superficial layers, although other ingredients in a formula can change how much is absorbed (Health Canada advisory committee, 2022). In Health Canada's consumer information leaflet, the columns for when effects begin and how long they last are marked not applicable for topical use.
Transdermal patches and gels: the exception
Transdermal products are designed for deep absorption, to deliver cannabinoids through the skin. They come as patches, gels and roll-ons.
Whether that adds up to a high is less clear. Leafly notes that transdermal patches do deliver cannabinoids to the bloodstream and could have intoxicating effects if their THC content is high enough. Treat a THC transdermal with more care than an ordinary lotion, start with a low dose, and if you feel any effect, do not drive: Health Canada's advice is never to drive under the influence of cannabis.
THC, CBD or both: reading the label
Check how much THC and CBD a topical contains, plus the other ingredients, which affect smell, texture, absorption and whether a product suits your skin. Health Canada also warns that CBD products can contain some THC, so read the label even on a CBD topical. For background, see THC vs CBD and what CBD oil is.
Hemp seed oil, which is used in cosmetics, is a different ingredient from CBD: cosmetics may contain hemp derivatives but not added cannabinoids (Health Canada), as the hemp vs weed guide explains.
Patch test before regular use
Any skin product can cause a reaction, and Health Canada's consumer information says topical cannabis could cause irritation when applied to skin. The base ingredients matter as much as the cannabis: MedlinePlus lists fragrances in cosmetics, soaps and moisturizers among common causes of allergic skin reactions. A simple patch test:
- Apply a small amount to a small area of skin.
- Wait at least 2 days before using it more widely, since allergic reactions most often show up 24 to 48 hours after contact (MedlinePlus).
- If you notice redness, itching, a rash or blisters, stop using the product and wash the area with plenty of water.
- Contact a health care provider if the reaction is severe or does not get better.
- Keep watching after the test: MedlinePlus notes people can become more sensitive to a substance with regular use, even after tolerating it for a long time.
What topicals can and can't claim
Legal cannabis topicals in Canada cannot carry health claims. Health Canada's advisory committee notes that cannabis products, whether sold for medical or non-medical purposes, do not undergo a pre-market review of safety, efficacy and quality, and Health Canada says a CBD health product that makes a health claim needs approval as a prescription drug. If a topical promises to fix a skin condition, a wound or a burn, read that as marketing. For cuts, burns, rashes or any ongoing skin problem, see a doctor or pharmacist.
Buying topicals
GasDank delivers same day across Toronto and the GTA, usually within 1 to 2 hours, and ships across Canada by mail order. Topicals are under lotions and bath products; check each label for THC and CBD content and the full ingredient list. The menu carries lab-tested products, and customers must be 19 or older (21 in Quebec), with ID checked at the door.
