Marijuana topicals are having their day, particularly in Colorado where cannabis-themed spas are offering therapeutic massage and alternative treatments that use salves, balms and oils infused with cannabis. Generally, these topicals begin with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil that is cooked down similar to butter when baking edibles.

In some cases the cannabis infusion is the main therapeutic ingredient. Most of the time, however, the topicals are blended with other essential oils that also have anti-inflammatory properties like lavender, frankincense or lemon grass.

It’s probably no surprise that herbalists and holistic healers are embracing cannabis’ analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicinal properties. They have often been at the forefront of encouraging patients to take control of their own healing, often seeing their role more as counselors or facilitators than doctors in their client’s journey toward wellness.

It’s an area with many options for alternative health entrepreneurs. Enthusiasts of cannabis...