November 30, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered whether cannabis creams, balms, or lotions can get you “high,” you’re not alone. The short (and, for most products, accurate) answer is: usually, no. But the full story is more nuanced and worth knowing before you rub THC onto your skin.

Most Topicals Are Non-Psychoactive, Even with THC

Why Topicals Work Differently Than Edibles or Smoking

  • Skin is a natural barrier. The outermost layer of skin (the stratum corneum) is designed to protect you from external irritants.

  • Topical cannabinoids stay local. When you apply a THC or CBD cream, the cannabinoids bind to receptors in the skin or musculoskeletal tissue, typically without crossing into your bloodstream.

  • Because the cannabinoids don’t circulate system-wide, they don’t activate the brain receptors responsible for a “high.” 

For these reasons, “regular” topicals (lotions, salves, balms) are widely considered non-intoxicating, even if they include THC.

What Topicals Are Actually Used For

Even without psychoactive effects, THC/CBD topicals can provide real, localized benefits and many users choose them for exactly that reason.

Common uses include:

  • Muscle or joint soreness relief

  • Inflammation reduction

  • Skin issues (rash, irritation, dryness, some dermatological conditions)

  • Post-workout recovery and targeted comfort

Because the effect is local (on the place where the topical is applied), it’s possible to get relief without altering your headspace, useful for daytime use, work, or situations where you want clarity. 

Exceptions: Transdermal & Patch-Style Products

There are cannabis products designed to deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream and those can cause psychoactive effects if they contain THC. These include:

  • Transdermal patches

  • Some specially formulated gels or lotions designed for systemic absorption

If what you’re using is labeled “transdermal,” “systemic,” or “patch,” treat it like an edible or a tincture, expect onset, effects, and possible impairment.

Why It Matters to Know What You’re Using & Why Transparency Is Key

Because skin absorption of cannabinoids depends heavily on formulation, it’s important to:

  • Read the product label carefully. Is it a simple cream/salve/lotions, or is it labeled transdermal or systemic?

  • Ask for a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Licensed products should have lab testing that shows cannabinoid content and confirms there are no harmful contaminants. 

  • Understand your goals. If you want localized relief without intoxication, topical creams and balms are likely your best option. If you want systemic effects, that’s a different product type (edible, tincture, inhalable, or transdermal patch).

What This Means for Consumers — Especially in New York’s Legal Market

New York’s regulated cannabis market makes it easier than ever to find responsibly manufactured topicals. Because licensed producers must follow strict testing and labeling standards, you get real transparency:

  • Clean cannabinoid content

  • No harmful contaminants

  • Precise THC/CBD ratios

  • Detailed instructions

This level of quality control ensures that topicals work the way they’re meant to; delivering relief without impairment and allowing users to incorporate them into everyday wellness routines with confidence.

At Cannabis Corner, we emphasize education and transparency. We help customers understand not just what is in their product, but how and why it works so you can choose products that match your goals safely and effectively.

Topicals — Relief Without the High

For most cannabis topicals, the answer to “Will this get me high?” is a firm no. Because cannabinoids applied to the skin rarely make their way into the bloodstream, they don’t activate the brain’s psychoactive receptors.

Instead, topicals excel at what they were designed for: targeted relief, localized comfort, inflammation support, and skin care all without altering your headspace or affecting your day.

If you’re seeking straightforward, predictable relief, cannabis topicals are one of the cleanest, most user-friendly ways to enjoy the benefits of the plant.