Unlike most weed products, the answer is no… ish

Topicals are cannabis-infused oils, creams, lotions and balms that are often used to treat localized pain and inflammation. That being the case, it makes sense that Hollywood actors Michelle Williams, Kristen Bell, and Olivia Wilde swear by them. “A lot of celebrities in LA use CBD cream on their feet, because it numbs the pain (from wearing uncomfortable footwear),” E! style expert Zanna Roberts Rassi was recently quoted as saying.

Turns out, celebrities are not the only ones putting their faith (and faces…and feet) in topicals. Many first-time and seasoned personal product users in North America also want to give topicals a go once they are legal. In the 2018 Civilized Culture Poll, in which over 1,600 U.S. and Canadian cannabis consumers were interviewed, 28 percent of Canadian and 33 percent of U.S. respondents expressed interest in trying topicals—a product category that topped the poll both in the U.S. and Canada.

“Topicals are a great introduction for anyone who’s remotely interested in knowing about cannabis,” says Ashley Short, certified holistic nutritionist, clinical herbalist and co-founder of Earth Kisses Sky (EKS), an Ontario-based wellness clinic. “We’ve always had such strong stigma around cannabis use, so when people realize topicals can help relieve pain and inflammation, or even conditions like acne and eczema, without getting them high… it gives them a sense of comfort,” Short says.

How topicals interact with the body

When it comes to determining the compound that accounts for the high associated with inhaled cannabis, the component in question is Delta-9-THC. “THC induces psychotropic effects via action on the CB1 receptor, which is found in the brain,” says Thomas Folan, MD, CEO and founder of SolaceMD, an emerging online medical cannabis information, recommendation and consultation platform.

A topical cannot penetrate deep enough through the tough outer layer of the skin, “to the layer of the blood vessels to travel onward to the brain to exert effect upon CB1 receptors. Instead, topical ingredients stay locally and exert their effects on CB2 receptors that do not result in psychotropic effects. Transdermal patches available (THC, CBD, THCA, CBN etc.) can deliver cannabinoids deeper through the skin to the blood vessel layer by using permeation enhancers or carriers—some of these preparations can get you ‘high’, although the nature of the high would be much more mellow,” adds Folan.

Topicals that can be made at home (legally)

While ready-made topicals won’t be legal in Canada until late 2019, here’s a legal alternative: why not make your own? The ready-to-mix formulations by EKS allow people to try infused products in the safety and comfort of their homes.

The first formulation is for the skin aiming to protect and hydrate, while soothing acne, redness and rashes; and the second one is for pain and inflammation. “We don’t have any cannabis in our topicals, but what we do have are these ready-to-mix formulations that are derived natural sources and contain no artificial colour, fragrance, chemicals or artificial preservatives. These formulations allow individuals to directly purchase the cannabis oil from a licensed producer (LP) and add it to the cream,” says Short.

Understanding the dosing format is key to making topicals at home. “Simply mixing cannabis with creams at home is doable. The level of science required is relatively low because you are dealing with lipid to lipid interactions, and the homogeneity of the mixture will be okay. However, there are several formulation challenges, mostly related to the consistency of the product, and understanding dosing—how 10 mg of THC or CBD translates into the required dosing in a cream,” says Har Grover, CEO and chairman of Scientus Pharma.

Despite the formulation challenges, here’s the kicker: Topicals, in general, are considered to be one of the safest ways to consume cannabis—by keeping the medication locally one tends to avoid the side effects. “If you do use a transdermal patch impregnated with a carrier, you deliver medication directly to the bloodstream, instead of availing of gastrointestinal metabolism as you would with an edible product. This is very important. When you eat an edible you produce large amounts of 11-OH-THC via liver metabolism. This metabolite exerts stronger psychotropic effect than THC. This, in turn, can be anxiety provoking, particularly for the cannabis naive. In delivering THC directly to the bloodstream by way of a transdermal patch you bypass this metabolite creation, and can also allow for a slower release of medication from the patch giving a more controlled effect. For patients, who may not be well suited to combustion/vaping and/or dealing with the psychotropic and unpredictable effects from edibles, a well designed topical or transdermal product could provide an alternative,” explains Folan.

Topicals for everyday use

From relieving ankle pain, menstrual discomfort and even pain during sex, topicals can be used in many ways.

For example, infused topicals, like lube or massage oil, are an option for women to experiment with cannabis in a non-intoxicating way. “Infused massage oils help relax the muscles of the body, and they can be easily made by pressing dried flower using a rosin press, which can then be mixed into any massage oil,” notes Tabitha Fritz, a co-founder of Bast, a women-led cannabis brand that makes products designed for women’s reproductive and gynecological health.

Since the cannabinoids are absorbed through the skin and never enter the bloodstream, a person doesn’t end up experiencing the high. “Infused lubes that contain THC seem to enhance sensitivity in the sex organs, and intensify a woman’s orgasm, while lubes that contain CBD help relax tense muscles in the pelvic area,” Fritz adds.

While research is limited on the effects and reaction, anecdotal reports—as highlighted by Americans for Safe Access, an organization based in Washington, D.C.—on the effectiveness of topical treatment include the following conditions:

certain types of dermatitis (including atopic) and psoriasis;

superficial wounds, cuts, acne pimples, furuncles, corns and certain nail fungus;

rheumatism and arthritic pain (up to the second degree of arthritis);

back pains, muscular pains and cramps, sprains and other contusions;

hemorrhoids;

cold and sore throat, and bronchitis;

asthmatic problems with breathing; and

migraine, head pains and tension headaches.

But if it’s the all-too-familiar cannabis smell that’s overwhelming, there’s a way out. “Not all topicals carry the smell of cannabis. Although cannabis is a fragrant plant, mostly related to the myriad terpenes such as myrcene, limonene and ocimene contained within the various cultivars. Interestingly, isolated THC and CBD are odorless. Many artisanal brands are coupling their cannabinoid preparation with essential oils, terpenes, and other soothing botanicals and so there is a whole gamut of scented products. There are, of course, cannabis-scented topicals, if that is your thing,” suggests Folan.

Will I fail a drug test?

Theoretically, no. “With a cannabis topical, given the paucity of well-performed research, it cannot be reliably stated that topical application will absolutely result in a negative drug test. Currently, there is no definitive research on the subject particularly looking at patients who only use topical medication,” admits Folan.

In a 2017 report, Science Direct published a case where man failed a drug test after claiming to have only used cannabis topicals, “but you’ll note that attempts to recreate his described method of dosing failed to produce a positive urine/blood result in two individuals. Remember, THC is lipophilic (fat-loving) and without the use of a carrier substance to penetrate through the stratum corneum (outer layer) of the skin to make it to the blood vessels that is unlikely to happen. However, with regards to cannabis transdermal patch, the likelihood of THC to passing into the blood vessels is greater and may well result in a positive drug test,” explains Folan.

Like every facet of cannabis legalization in Canada, the government is moving forward cautiously and that means the sale and distribution of topicals is still not legal. On Dec. 20, Health Canada launched a 60-day consultation on the proposed outline for regulating cannabis concentrates, edibles and topicals. If approved, the permissible THC limit in the products could be as high as 1,000 milligrams per unit, container or package with allowed use on skin, hair and nails only.

Till then, DIY (legally) might be one’s best bet.

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