Is Marijuana Lube All It's Cracked Up to Be?
With recreational marijuana now legal in 15 states, medical marijuana permitted in 36 states and a growing push for federal decriminalization, consumption is skyrocketing and regulations are dissipating. There’s never been a better time for weed innovation in the U.S. In recent years, this quest for a greener world has gifted us with avant-garde cannabis-infused products such as sriracha sauce, Epsom salts, and, yes, even lube.
The value proposition behind weed lube is simple. If smoking/drinking/eating marijuana is already known for heightening sexual pleasure, then applying it to your genitals must feel really good. Although I’ve been intrigued by weed lube ever since I heard about it, I never went out of my way to track it down—but seeing a bottle at my local dispensary recently inspired me to take action.
Currently, there are two main kinds of cannabis-infused lubricants on the market. The first contains just CBD (a nonpsychoactive substance associated with relaxation, pain relief, etc.) and the second has both CBD and THC (the hallucinogenic compound). While the former is more widely legal, the legality of the latter can differ from place to place, depending on the local marijuana laws. Fortunately, I live in California, where anything goes.
I ended up buying a 10 mL bottle of FORIA Pleasure, arguably the most well-known THC-infused lube on the market, for $42. It was much pricier than any lube I had bought before, but I was willing to pay a premium for the sake of scientific experimentation. The packaging did make it seem pretty luxe, too, with a matte black box embossed with gold lettering. Even though I knew 10 mL wasn’t a lot, I was still surprised by how small the dark brown glass bottle was: no bigger than a bottle of eye drops.
Although the instructional pamphlet that came along with it suggested “initial exploration alone to discover the ideal serving size for your body,” I already had my mind set on trying it out during partnered sex. I skipped to the next step, using the pipette it came with to “apply directly to the clitoris, inner and outer labia and inside the vagina.” You can also dab a bit on your fingers and apply it manually, if liberally.
To be safe, my boyfriend and I did a little bit of both. The pamphlet recommended using as few as 14 drops to a full pipette of liquid, but I went for two pipettes full, since I’m no stranger to THC. The lubricant didn't feel all that much like a lubricant—it’s oil-based (and, as a result, not compatible with latex or polyisoprene condoms) and smooth, but not slippery. After applying, FORIA recommends allowing time for it to take full effect, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes “depending on where you are on the pleasure spectrum.” Having not fallen too far down the rabbit hole just yet, I was willing to wait.
I thought I might feel a tingling sensation after applying it, but I didn’t notice much of anything until further into our foreplay session. Eventually, I felt a slight increase in sensitivity and heightened pleasure, particularly in my G-spot. The effect was comparable to eating when you’re high: The food doesn’t necessarily taste all that different, you just appreciate the experience a little more. That being said, the effect was weaker than it usually is when I get high by more traditional methods. My orgasm was as solid as any other I have while sober, but it wasn’t the toe-curling, oh-my-god kind of orgasm I often have after vaping or eating an edible. While I wouldn’t say I got properly stoned, I did feel a little bit of a head high afterward—the relaxed, pleasant kind you get after a toke or two—and a touch of the munchies.
My overall verdict is that the lube I tried is an interesting novelty, but the actual sensation enhancement was fairly minimal and probably not worth the $42 if you’re on a budget. My partner didn’t feel much of anything, either. On top of that, it didn’t offer great lubrication and left several oil stains on my sheets even after laying down a towel first. Of course, your mileage may vary. I read a few reviews from health sites and other publications that were much more laudatory of the product’s ability to increase pleasure, and some folks who suffered from conditions like vaginismus reported that it helped them relax and enjoy sex.
I’ll probably finish my bottle at some point, since my frugal Midwest upbringing renders me incapable of letting anything go to waste, but I don’t see myself buying more after that, unless future experiences blow me away (I’m open to using more and/or waiting longer for it to kick in). Call me old fashioned, but if I want a weed-enhanced sexual experience, I’ll reach for a vape pen or an edible first.
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