Can You Make Cannabis Transdermal Patches at Home?

applying cannabis transdermal patch to arm

While recreational sales of marijuana are skyrocketing in many new markets, many cannabis consumers and patients still prefer to produce their own products. The ability to control the quality, dosage, and availability of a product is why some consumers stick to a “do it yourself” policy.

Luckily, consumers can practically make many marijuana products from the comfort of their home; although, it is best to leave cannabis concentrates to the professionals. With more and more consumers interested in DIY products, there is a plethora of step-by-step processes available to consumers online. Sure, many edibles are easy to make at home, but what about more unique products, like cannabis transdermal patches? Is it possible to make cannabis transdermal patches at home? What are the benefits of transdermal patches?

What are Transdermal Patches?

woman opening cannabis transdermal patch

Transdermal patches are a rather old method of consumption, but they didn’t make their way into cannabis until recently. In the past, transdermal patches were used medicinally to assist with the delivery of medical compounds directly into our bloodstream. The most well-known transdermal patches of our time are the nicotine patches used to help tobacco smokers slowly quite their habit. As the cannabis industry’s growth is booming, vendors have been scrambling to discover the next best product. This product race is what led to the release of multiple cannabis transdermal patches available on our market today.

Matrix Patches:

A matrix patch is a transdermal, self-adhesive patch that infuses the cannabis into the stitching of the patch. The second the adhesive patch hits the skin, the marijuana extract immediately begins to disperse and absorb into our bloodstream. The absorption rate of a matrix patch tends to depend on the size of the patch and where the patch lays on our body. For any transdermal patch, make sure to place it on a venous part of the body such as the inside of our wrist or elbow.

Reservoir Patches:

A reservoir patch is what a majority of the patches are on the marijuana market today. It is also a self-adhesive patch, except the cannabis is contained in a reservoir within the patch. It is usually a medical gel that releases through a rate-controlling membrane. Reservoir patches tend to be better for accurate dosage over long periods of time. It merely releases a controlled amount throughout the day instead of depending on solely surface area like a matrix patch. Keep in mind; all patches must be placed in a venous area to ensure effectiveness.

Both options are suitable for consumer use; it’s just essential to understand the difference as a consumer. Transdermal patches are the perfect consumption method for medical marijuana patients or consumers who enjoy micro-dosing throughout the day in a discreet manner. Transdermal patches remove a large portion of the adverse effects of cannabis out of the equation. Instead of the cannabis going through our stomach, liver, or lungs it immediately reaches our bloodstream and begins to spread throughout our bodies. While it may not be the most psychoactive product available, there are a ton of benefits of using cannabis transdermal patches.

Benefits of Transdermal Patches

close up shot of marijuana

  • Accurate and Consistent Micro-Dosing
  • Whole-Body Relief Instead of Localized to Applied Area
  • Discreet Consumption Option
  • Easy-to-Use
  • Quick Rate of Absorption
  • Fast-Acting and Long-Lasting
  • Unique Cannabinoid Ratios
  • Minimalized Adverse Effects
  • Affordable Product Option

Cannabis transdermal patches are a stellar medical marijuana product. Obviously for all of the above reasons; however, one of the coolest parts about transdermal patches is the ability to get different cannabinoid profiles. The primary cannabinoids available on the market today can all be found in a transdermal patch form. Anything from THC, CBD, CBN, or THC/CBD ratios are all options for transdermal patches. Each one serves a different purpose and provides a unique therapeutic value. It’s up to the consumer to decide what cannabinoid best fits their needs.

Is it Possible to Make Cannabis Transdermal Patches Yourself?

woman putting on transdermal patch

While DIY products are gaining popularity in the cannabis community, it’s primarily edibles that are the easiest to make at home. When it comes to concentrates and transdermal patches, it’s tough to find easy, step-by-step procedures for consumers to follow. That said, there are a few potential recipes available, but their processes are not proven or very thorough. Ultimately, there is only one simple recipe available online.

How to Make Cannabis Transdermal Patches

small cannabis plants ready to be planted

  1. Take a cannabis-infused transdermal gel and warm the gel up. Do not overheat.
  2. Apply the desired amount onto the patch. Patch sizes may vary.
  3. Allow the infused patch to dry and absorb the cannabis-infused transdermal.
  4. Place cannabis transdermal patch in a venous area and ensure it has full contact with the skin.
  5. If the patch does not have a self-adhesive, use medical tape along the outside of the patch to keep in place.
  6. Kick back and let the cannabinoids soak into the body!

This recipe is straightforward but does not give much information about dosage or what transdermal is better for specific patches. Nor, does it explain what type of patch to use. While a homemade patch, like this, may work for some consumers, it’s not the most effective or accurate product. If the quality and accuracy of transdermal patches are too difficult to control when making them at home, then why even try?

There is a plethora of high-quality, affordable, and effective cannabis transdermal patches available on the market today. With little information online for consumers to follow, it’s best to leave transdermal patches up to the professionals. If any consumers out there have a good recipe on how to make cannabis transdermal patches, please share it with the world!

Available Cannabis Transdermal Patches

putting on a cannabis transdermal patch

It’s a bummer that we may never know how to make cannabis transdermal patches, but at least some stellar marijuana vendors have the process down. Plus, if for whatever reason there’s a problem with one of these products, it won’t be your fault, and you can complain to their customer service! Check out this list of the top cannabis transdermal patches on the market.

Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patch

tiny cannabis plant in the ground

Mary’s Medicinals is easily one of the best transdermal patches on the marijuana market. It’s an award-winning product with a plethora of consumer testimonies. Mary’s offers consumers a variety of cannabinoid options which makes them an excellent choice for a multitude of consumers and patients. Every patch comes in a square shape and is extremely discreet. It’s a fast-acting patch that accurately doses throughout the day. The usual duration of one patch is about 8 to 12 hours.

Available Patches:

  • THC-Sativa
  • THC-Indica
  • THCa
  • CBD
  • CBN
  • CBD: THC

Mary’s Nutritionals

tincture bottles on cannabis plants

Mary’s Nutritionals is a sister company to the renowned Mary’s Medicinals. The primary difference between the two is the fact that Mary’s Nutritionals solely produces hemp-derived products. All of their products contain no THC and come only from 100% organic hemp from the United States. Mary’s Nutritionals produces the best hemp-derived patch available to consumers. It uses the same infusion process as their THC patches and also lasts from about 8 to 12 hours long. The benefits of their hemp extract patch are a bit different than cannabis-derived patches, but both serve a purpose.

Available Patch:

  • 10mg Hemp-Extract Transdermal Patch

Keep an eye out for other transdermal patches to hit the market. As more and more cannabinoids are isolated from the marijuana and hemp plants, it’s likely a multitude of patches will arise. Who knows; maybe someone will figure out a solid DIY recipe and share it with the cannabis community!

Check out other cannabis information and products, here!