With legal pot taking off at neck-breaking speed, a myriad of inventive products have hit the market as “cannasumer” demand grows and diversifies. And with even more women now reporting using marijuana than before, according to a May 2017 Forbes article, local dispensaries are selling items that target period pain alongside the usual THC-infused cookies, brownies and other snacks.
Female users know that a little relief can help a lot when their monthly period rolls around. Even one of history’s most prim and proper figures, Queen Victoria, reportedly rode out her crimson wave with the soothing effects of cannabis, as recommended by her private doctor (possibly making her one of the world’s oldest-known medical marijuana patients). But instead of sparking up, she might’ve used a tincture or other topical remedy like the many products available at every pot club in San Jose.
Some best-sellers available at more than half of the city’s 16 registered collectives include balms, tinctures, bath soaks, body oils, patches and capsules from the popular Papa and Barkley line. Their Releaf transdermal cannabis patch has a slow-release formula that promises 12 hours of relief. The patch could be used directly on a cramping stomach while their balms, oils and soaks could be used similarly for more subtle pain management.
Women who want to ingest their medicine but without empty calories from sugary pot treats can try P&B’s vegan capsules or tinctures, which are taken with food, under the tongue, swallowed, or added in a smoothie for a different kind of green boost. But chocolate is a period kit staple for many women and those wanting something extra with their fix can dive into a chocolate bar or candies from Kiva. The Santa Cruz company’s dark and milk chocolate confections are sold in a variety of flavors at CannaCulture Collective, while the company Bhang peddles peppermint ice chocolate and caramel chocolate bars, each containing 100mg of THC or soothing CBD, at Elemental Wellness.
One of the strongest contenders for Midol replacement are Foria suppositories, aka “marijuana tampons.” The name is somewhat misleading because they don’t absorb any blood (and are also much more expensive than any box of Tampax—singles are $15 each at Airfield Supply and four-packs go for $53 at Purple Lotus, not including tax) but, yes, it does go inside your vajayjay, where it delivers 60mg of THC and 10mg of CBD along with the conditioning effects of organic cocoa butter. It can even be used at the same time as a regular tampon, according to Foria’s website, since the cocoa butter melts with your body temperature. Online consumer reviews therefore suggest using it before bed to avoid any leakage from standing up, and Foria also recommends using a pantyliner just in case.—Julia Baum
