Cannabis has yet to be approved by the FDA as medicinal treatment, but within the pro-legalization movement the drug has a reputation for being a successful muscle relaxer and pain manager, amongst other numerous benefits. It's also believed to relieve one of the most common pains women experience: menstrual pain. Queen Victoria allegedly used it during her period to get rid of monthly aches.
While in most of the U.S., medical marijuana use is still illegal, there are many states that have legalized the ingestion of cannabis for pain relief from serious ailments, and the FDA has approved the use of some cannabis product in very specific, severe cases.
For example, Epidiolex, a drug derived from cannabidiol, was approved for "compassionate use" to treat childhood-onset epilepsy. New Jersey lawmakers recently put forth legislation to make "menstruation cramps" one of those serious ailments.
Hitching onto the pain relief claims, Whoopi Goldberg and entrepreneurial stoners are creating products designed specifically for menstruation relief. The products have not been FDA-approved.
1. Weed 'Tampons'
These are not actually tampons, but suppositories that allegedly help with the pain associated with a period. With 60mg of THC per suppository, the product claims to "maximize the muscle relaxing and pain relieving properties of cannabis without inducing a psychotropic 'high.'"
2. Yummi Karma's 'Mood Magic'
These drops are meant to be put into a beverage like tea or water, and the product claims to "kick PMS to the curb" by fighting bloating and cramps.
3. Edibles from Mountain Medicine
According to High Times, while edibles deliver a smaller amount of THC, they become a more powerful version of the chemical and affect the brain more. The Harmonious Honey Sticks are a favorite of Susannah Grossman, who represents the company. She says half of the honey stick in a cup of chamomile tea does the trick for her PMS.
4. Transdermal patches from Mary's Medicinals
Users stick the adhesive patch onto their skin and they claim to help ease muscle pain, regardless of the time of the month. They come in 10mg or 20mg, so you can use varying doses depending on how bad your cramps are.
5. Empower oil
Created because of the owner's need for chronic pain relief, this oil is meant to be applied wherever a person is sore and has no psychoactive effects. There are also salts for soaking in a warm bath.
6. Check out Leafly to find a good strain
If you live in a place where medical or recreational marijuana is legal, you could always try the old-fashioned method. There are certain strains of cannabis that have a reputation for helping relieve period symptoms.
Leafly, a website that explains the differences between strains, has a section dedicated to PMS and menstruation relief. There are plenty of varieties in the indica, sativa and hybrid categories that claim to offer pain, inflammation and moodiness relief. This is intended to be used when going to a dispensary and knowing what strain will be the most helpful.
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Topics Cannabis
