What Cannabis Topicals Actually Do
Sore muscles after a long shift, an aching joint that flares up when the weather changes, or skin that needs a little extra attention—these are the moments when a cannabis topical can become part of your daily routine. Unlike products you inhale or swallow, topicals are applied directly to the skin, letting you target a specific spot without the experience affecting the rest of your day. If you have been curious about how these products work and whether they fit your needs, this page walks you through what we make, how we make it, and how people put topicals to use.
At In Good Health, we are a locally owned, female-founded cannabis company that has served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 2015. We grow, manufacture, package, and retail our own marijuana products, and topicals are a meaningful part of that lineup. Everything we produce comes out of our 56,000-square-foot production facility in Brockton, and every batch is lab tested before it reaches you.
Cannabis topicals are creams, balms, lotions, salves, and oils infused with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. When you apply them, the cannabinoids interact with receptors in your skin rather than entering your bloodstream the way an edible or vape would. For most traditional topicals, this means you get localized comfort at the spot where you applied the product without a noticeable head change.
This distinction matters to a lot of our customers. A person who wants relief for a knee or a wrist but needs to stay clear-headed for work or family often finds a topical to be the right tool. It is worth noting that transdermal patches work a little differently—they are designed to carry cannabinoids through the skin and into the bloodstream over an extended period—but classic balms and lotions stay where you put them.
How We Make Our Topicals
Our topicals begin with the same plants we grow and cultivate in Brockton. After harvest, the flower and trim move into extraction, where we draw out the cannabinoids and create concentrated oil. That oil is the active ingredient that gets blended into each topical formula. Because we handle the process from seed to shelf, we have direct oversight of quality at every step.
Formulating a good topical is about more than cannabinoid content. Our teams combine the cannabis oil with carrier ingredients—things like butters, waxes, and botanical oils—to create a texture that spreads evenly and absorbs well. Precision is key here. We measure and standardize cannabinoid levels so that the product you buy today performs the same as the one you bought last month. Once a batch is complete, it goes to third-party laboratory testing to confirm potency and screen for contaminants. Only after a batch passes does it earn a place on our menu.
Ways People Use Topicals
Topicals fit into many different routines, and part of what makes them popular is their flexibility. Below are some of the most common situations where our customers reach for a balm or lotion.
- Post-workout recovery: Athletes and weekend warriors apply topicals to muscles and joints after exercise to support comfort during the cool-down and recovery window.
- Everyday aches: People who stand all day, lift at work, or sit at a desk often target the lower back, neck, shoulders, and hands.
- Skin care routines: Some lotions pair cannabinoids with moisturizing ingredients, making them a nice addition to a morning or evening skin routine.
- Targeted spot treatment: Because topicals stay local, you can treat one specific area—like a single sore joint—without affecting anything else.
- Clear-headed relief: Customers who want to avoid any intoxicating effect often choose a traditional topical over an inhaled or ingested product.
Choosing the Right Topical for You
The best starting point is thinking about what you want and where you want to apply it. A thick balm or salve tends to work well for a focused area, while a lighter lotion spreads easily over a larger region. Pay attention to the ratio of THC to CBD on the label, since different products are formulated for different purposes. Our staff at the Brockton and Sandwich dispensaries are happy to walk you through the options and help you match a product to your goals.
We serve both medical patients and adult-use customers, and our menu is one of the largest in the state across a wide range of price points. Beyond topicals, you will also find flower, pre-roll joints, vapes, concentrates, and edibles under our signature brands, available at our dispensaries and at retail partners throughout Massachusetts.
A Company Rooted in Community
We believe a cannabis company should give back to the place it calls home. Since 2015, In Good Health has contributed over $3.5 million to local charities and municipalities, and we work closely with The ARC of Greater Boston to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. That commitment to community sits right alongside our commitment to product quality.
As one of the first dispensaries in Massachusetts, we have kept innovating and adapting while holding to our promise of high-quality products at fair prices. Our locations are open 364 days a year, serving customers across Brockton, Sandwich & Taunton, MA and beyond. Whether topicals are brand new to you or already part of your routine, our team is ready to help you find the right fit.
