THC Lube: We asked a budtender about Weed Lube

Voted “Best Budtender in Chicago,” Lorena Cupcake has answered hundreds of questions from cannabis buyers and patients during her time as a budtender. And now they’re turning that experience into a monthly advice column. Ask a budtender. Have a question for Cupcake? Send your questions to askabudtender@weedmaps.com.

dear cupcakes,

I’m struggling to find information online about cannabis lubes. My question is, if a THC oil (without transdermal ingredients) is applied to a mucous membrane, does it enter the bloodstream?

I can’t smoke or eat edibles at work because of THC testing. From a legal point of view, I understand that you are not responsible for any repercussions. However, I can’t find a clear answer. If a cannabis lube is applied vaginally, would it be absorbed systemically? If it enters the bloodstream and is processed by the liver, it could result in a positive drug test. But if it’s only absorbed locally, I would imagine that after a few days there would be no THC metabolites in the urine or blood.

Can you provide some insight into this matter?

— Slippery answers

It can be difficult to find clear answers on this topic as every weed lube is different. They are all designed to provide some benefit when applied to the vagina and/or rectum, whether that be enhancing sexual pleasure or relieving spasms.

The exact benefit you receive depends on the product formulation, the cannabinoids it contains, and whether the product contains additional ingredients that aid in systemic absorption.

What does lube do with THC?

Up until the 20th century, most doctors believed that the vagina was incapable of absorbing drugs into the bloodstream. Since then, scientists have confirmed that the vagina can absorb some drugs. In the 1990s, a major advance in drug delivery technology led to the introduction of products such as the Nuva Ring, a vaginal ring that delivers contraceptive hormones.

A 2005 review in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics concluded that topical products applied to the vagina follow the same rules as all other topical cannabis products; Without ingredients designed to penetrate layers of skin, cannabinoids do not enter the bloodstream.

Because THC isn’t metabolized by your liver, the THC metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH) won’t show up in your blood, hair, saliva, or urine.

Christine Skibola, PhD., drew on her background as a cancer researcher and professor of epidemiology to create Viva la V! with rejuvenating ingredients like vitamin E, honey and cannabis-infused olive oil. As the co-founder of Cosmic View, a California-based brand focused on whole-plant cannabis medicine, she has seen the vaginal health balm gain popularity as a sexual lubricant. Although not suitable for use with condoms, it is suitable for clients who have concerns about workplace drug testing.

“Some THC content will always be present to some extent in CBD-rich crude extracts; however, it will not induce an intoxicating high,” Skibola said.

Can weed lube get me high or fail a drug test?

The key is to find products that don’t combine high THC levels with skin penetration enhancers. The Foria brand’s FAQ page of infused lubes suggests that a lube made with non-psychoactive CBD “won’t make you fail a drug test.”

But here’s the catch, Slippery. On pharmacy shelves, topical and transdermal weed lubes sit right next to each other. Pick the wrong one and you could potentially land yourself at odds with your workplace’s archaic, outdated, and anti-scientific drug policies.

To learn more, I spoke to Olivia Alexander, an OG cannabis influencer and Founder/CEO of Kush Queen, a line of bath bombs, edibles, supplements, and skincare products available in both pure CBD and THC-infused formulations are. Their water-based THC lube, available at select California pharmacies, will get you dead high — which means it can cause you to fail a drug test.

“Kush Queen features patent-pending nanotechnology that allows the cannabinoids to be fully absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream,” she explained. “Our water-based transdermal lube gives consumers truly absorbable cannabinoids.”

If you read the ingredients list of products like Quim’s Oh YES! Latex-Safe Serum, you may be able to discover ingredients designed to penetrate the lipid barrier of the outermost layer of our skin. Phospholipids act as a vehicle to transport drugs across the stratum corneum, while lactic acid increases skin permeability.

Topical and transdermal cannabis lubes to try

While CBD is not included in routine drug screenings, cannabis lubes containing THC along with skin penetration enhancers may show up in drug screenings.

Before investing in a new product, visit the company’s website. Many of them address the topic directly or use keywords that we have covered in this article. Check out some recommendations below to get started and exploring:

Lavinia Oh.Hi Lubricant

According to Lavinia’s website, using this lube will show up on a drug test, so use caution when purchasing.

Latex Safe: Yes

Find Lavinia Oh.Hi Lubricant

Om love balm

Om’s Love Balm contains 420:100 THC:CBD per jar.

Latex Safe: No

Find Om Love Balm

Oh yes! serum

The oh yes! Quim lube provides a total of 200 milligrams of THC.

Latex Safe: Yes

Find Quim Oh yes! serum

Kush Queen Personal Lubricant

Kush Queen’s water-based lube contains 30 milligrams of THC. The brand also offers a full CBD variant with 30 milligrams of CBD.

Latex Safe: Yes

Find Kush Queen lube

Cosmic View Viva La V! CBD balm

The Viva La V! Cosmic View’s formula contains 100 milligrams of CBD.

Latex Safe: No

Find the cosmic view Viva La V! CBD balm

Would you like to be notified when products appear in a pharmacy near you? Save them for later in your Weedmaps profile.

Post a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *