Balms, lotions, tinctures and RSO are often sold as cannabis wellness products, a marketing label rather than a promise. None of them is smoked, but they differ in how they enter your body, how fast they act and how precisely you can measure them. Here's a plain comparison to help you read each label.
What “cannabis wellness products” usually means
People choose these formats for practical reasons: no smoke, a measured dose in milligrams, or a topical for one spot without feeling high. None of that makes them health products. None of them is an approved medicine, and research on these consumer formats is limited. Talk with your clinician before using them for a health reason, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Balms and salves: concentrated, for one spot
Balms and salves are thick, waxy topicals made to stay where you rub them in. A CBD balm and a THC balm work the same basic way. Cannabinoids are very fat-soluble, which lets them enter the skin's outer layer but makes it hard to go deeper. A review of skin-delivery research found that CBD tends to collect in that outer layer. In one small German experiment, THC salves applied for three days left no detectable THC in three volunteers' blood or urine. Our guide to cannabis topicals covers every type.
Lotions, including transdermal formulas
Lotions spread easily over larger areas, and a regular cannabis lotion works on and in the skin, much like a balm.
Transdermal products are different. A patch, gel or transdermal cannabis lotion uses special carriers to push cannabinoids past the skin's outer barrier and into your bloodstream. So a THC transdermal can act on your whole body. The same route can also keep blood levels steady over many hours. In Michigan, non-oral THC products such as transdermal patches can hold as much as 100 mg of THC per dose. If the label doesn't say transdermal, assume it's a topical.
Tinctures: dropper doses under the tongue or in food
A tincture is a liquid extract in alcohol or oil, sold with a dropper that's often marked in milliliters, so you can measure small, repeatable amounts. Held under the tongue, some of a THC tincture absorbs through the lining of the mouth. Much of it still gets swallowed, though, and that part acts like an edible. Swallowed cannabis usually takes effect within two hours, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes, and full effects can take up to four hours. For adult-use tinctures, Michigan allows no more than 10 mg of THC in a dose and 200 mg in a container. Our cannabis tincture guide walks through dropper math.
RSO: a whole-plant oil that calls for tiny doses
Rick Simpson Oil, or RSO, is a dark, tar-thick, full-extract cannabis oil that usually comes in a small oral syringe. RSO oil is strong: a VA research summary notes that THC in extracts such as oils and tinctures can reach 90%.
Do the math before you dose. A gram of oil at 70% THC holds about 700 mg of THC; compare that with the 10 mg limit on a Michigan adult-use edible serving. Measure RSO in tiny drops, expect it to act like an edible and let two full hours pass before you consider more. Read more on what RSO is and shopping for RSO.
Ratios on the label: CBD:THC and CBN blends
A ratio compares two cannabinoids, most often CBD and THC, so check which one the label lists first. A 20:1 CBD:THC product holds 20 times more CBD than THC, and 1:1 CBD:THC products hold equal milligrams of each. THC-forward products are the most likely to make you feel high. Think of the ratio as the balance; the milligrams per serving are the strength.
Some formulas add CBN and market it for evenings. A 2021 research review found the evidence on CBN dated and limited, too thin to support sleep claims. It also noted that these products usually contain 5 mg or less. See our CBN explainer.
Cannabis balm vs. lotion vs. tincture vs. RSO: comparison table
| Format | Onset | Duration | Dose control | Chance of a high (THC versions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balm or salve | Local, on the skin | Varies | Low | Low |
| Standard lotion | Local, on the skin | Varies | Low | Low |
| Transdermal patch or gel | Gradual | Steady release | Good | Yes |
| Tincture | Partly through the mouth, the rest like an edible | Outlasts inhaled cannabis | Good | Yes |
| RSO, swallowed | 30 minutes to 2 hours | Outlasts inhaled cannabis | Hard | Yes, even at small doses |
How to choose a format, and what to ask
- Want to avoid a high? Choose a standard topical or a CBD-dominant product, and check the THC milligrams.
- Want a measured dose? A tincture's marked dropper gives the most control.
- Experienced with edibles? RSO is the most concentrated of these formats, so start smaller than you think.
Questions worth asking: What's the THC and CBD per serving and per package? Is it topical or transdermal? Which oils and fragrances are in it? At High Society, a budtender can help you read a label in store; health questions belong with your clinician. Cardholders can find more in our patient guide. Recreational shoppers need to be 21 or older, while medical cardholders can buy from age 18. Enjoy cannabis responsibly.
