I think at this point we’ve just about seen it all. As we’ve written about many times here on Weedist, marijuana infused edibles have gone from your basic pot brownies to much, much more. The past few years of medical marijuana sales in medical states around the country have produced not only chocolates, infused olive oil, and breath strips, but Colorado is now also home to a medical patch; and it’s awesome.

Mary’s Medicinals is currently making a patch that can be applied just like a nicotine or birth control patch. Designed to last up to 12 hours, each transdermal patch has 10 mg of cannabis. The best part is just how many options are available. There are 6 different cannabinoid mixes available: THCa, THC Indica, THC Sativa, THC Hybrid, CBD, and CBN. The CBN and indica are, as expected, more for sleep and nighttime, while the sativa is for active daytime use.

I have (so far) tried the sativa and the hybrid, which is a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC. Though only 10 mg, the cannabis gets into your bloodstream directly through the skin and is concentrated differently; this is why they recommend putting the patch on a veiny area like the wrist or ankle. The patch is thin and easy to use, as well as comfortable enough that I didn’t notice it at all after I first put it on, and it didn’t hurt when I took it off the next day.

The CBD/THC mixture is awesome; very relaxing but not drowsy and feels overall incredible. The effect is similar to an edible in that it does take about an hour to start coming on, but unlike most food it lasts much longer since the patches are designed to slowly transfer cannabis into the body. I started to feel the maximum effect at about 3 or 4 hours, and it lasted until I went to bed, feeling incredible. Several days later I tried the sativa version during the day on a day off, and it had a very nice and zippy feeling without being too overwhelming.

The patch is natural and based in the true medicinal benefits of cannabis. I have not yet seen these available for recreational, though it’s only a matter of time. Retailing at around $18, these are a bit steep compared to other edibles on paper, but the long-lasting time-released effect is really something special. I can especially see the benefit for medical patients who need something for serious, chronic pain. Colorado medical marijuana patients should definitely consider these transdermal patches and experience the future of edibles.