Why they do not get you high
A conventional topical is applied to the skin and does not meaningfully enter the bloodstream, so it does not produce the intoxicating effect associated with inhaled or ingested cannabis. That is the entire point of the format for most of the people who buy it.
The exception is a transdermal patch, which is engineered specifically to cross into the bloodstream and does behave differently. If a product is labelled transdermal, treat it as an ingested product rather than a topical.
How they are used
Applied directly to the area you want to target, and reapplied as needed. Because there is no intoxication to manage, there is no dosing curve to learn in the way there is with edibles — the main variable is simply how much you use and how often.
Massachusetts regulation prohibits us from making health or therapeutic claims about any cannabis product, so we will not tell you what a topical will do for you. What we can say is what the format is: it is applied to the skin, and a conventional topical is not intoxicating.
CBD and ratio topicals
Many topicals are CBD-forward or use a CBD:THC ratio rather than being THC-dominant. A 2:1 CBD:THC product contains twice as much CBD as THC. Ratio labelling matters more here than potency numbers alone.
What we carry
Our topical selection is smaller than our other categories and rotates less often. We regularly stock the Berkshire Roots 2:1 CBD soothing stick alongside other balms. Check the live menu for what is on the shelf today, or ask at the counter — this is a category where our staff can talk you through the options quickly.
Common questions
Will a topical make me feel high?
A conventional topical is not intoxicating. Transdermal patches are the exception and are designed to enter the bloodstream.
Do I still need to be 21?
Yes. Everything sold at a Massachusetts adult-use dispensary requires you to be 21 or older with valid photo ID.
Will it show on a drug test?
We cannot advise on drug testing outcomes. If testing is a concern for you, the safe assumption is that any cannabis product may be detectable.
Related categories
Written by the Hometown Harvest team. Product availability changes daily — the live menu is the accurate stock list. Nothing on this page is medical advice.