Mariguanol: What It Is, What's Inside, and Whether It Contains THC

If you've come across a green jar labelled Mariguanol, chances are someone handed it to you, you saw it in a Mexican pharmacy, or a relative brought one back in a suitcase. The name raises eyebrows, the smell is unmistakable, and the first question almost everyone asks is the same: *does this have marijuana in it?*

This is the official guide from the people who make it. Short answer up front: Mariguanol is a topical balm with CBD and menthol. It has no psychoactive effects. The rest of this article explains what that means, what is actually inside the jar, and how it is meant to be used.

What Mariguanol is

Mariguanol is a topical balm — something you apply to the skin, not something you swallow, inhale or drop under your tongue. It comes in a 90-gram jar and it is made in Mexico, where it has been a familiar household name for decades.

It belongs to the category of personal-care topicals. It is not a medicine, it is not sold as one, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. In Mexico it carries the COFEPRIS advertising notice No. 193300202D0411 COFEPRIS18CCC011.

People reach for it as part of a routine: after a workout, after a long day, during a massage. The sensation it produces — which we'll get to — is a big part of why it has the following it does.

Why the name confuses everyone

"Mariguanol" sounds like marijuana, and that is not an accident of translation. The name comes from the cannabis plant that the formula draws from. But the part of the plant it uses matters enormously.

Cannabis produces more than a hundred compounds called cannabinoids. Two get the most attention:

• THC is the compound responsible for the intoxicating effect people associate with marijuana.
• CBD (cannabidiol) is a different compound. It is not intoxicating.

Mariguanol is formulated around CBD and other phytocannabinoids — not THC. That is the whole distinction, and it is the reason the product sits on a pharmacy shelf rather than behind a counter.

You can read more about the compound itself on our page What is CBD?.

What's inside the jar

Each 90-gram jar contains 90 mg of CBD, alongside other phytocannabinoids and menthol.

That short list does more work than it looks:

• CBD and phytocannabinoids are the reason the product exists and the reason the name is what it is.
• Menthol is what you feel. It is the same compound that makes mint taste cold, and it is responsible for the cooling rush that arrives seconds after you apply the balm.

The full breakdown lives on our Mariguanol ingredients page, and we go deeper into how CBD and menthol behave together in CBD and menthol.

Does Mariguanol contain THC?

No. Mariguanol is built around cannabidiol and other non-intoxicating phytocannabinoids. It does not produce a high, it does not alter perception, and it does not work the way inhaled or ingested cannabis does.

This is also why the format matters. Mariguanol is applied to the skin. A topical balm is a fundamentally different proposition from a tincture, an oil taken by mouth, or anything smoked — different route, different behaviour. We cover that comparison in Topical CBD vs drops: which to choose.

Will it show up on a drug test?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it deserves a careful answer rather than a confident one-liner. Standard workplace panels screen for THC metabolites, not for CBD. Mariguanol is a topical product formulated around CBD.

That said, drug testing varies by panel, by threshold and by laboratory, and we are not in a position to make a blanket promise about any specific test you might face. We've written up what is known and what isn't in Can a CBD balm show up on a drug test?. If you are subject to testing for work or sport, talk to whoever administers your programme.

Why it feels cold, and then warm

Apply Mariguanol and you'll notice something within seconds: a sharp cold, then a spreading warmth, sometimes a tingle or a mild burn.

That is the menthol. Menthol acts on the nerve endings in your skin that register temperature, which is why your skin reports "cold" when nothing has actually cooled down. The warmth that follows is part of the same effect.

How strong it feels depends on how much you use, how thin or sensitive the skin is, and whether you've just showered. A lot of people are surprised the first time. It's the most-asked question we get, and we answered it in full in Is Mariguanol hot or cold, and why does it sting?.

How people use it

A small amount, massaged into clean, intact skin, is the whole method. Most people use it as part of a wind-down routine or during a massage rather than on a fixed schedule.

A few practical notes:

• Start with less than you think you need. You can always add more.
• Wash your hands afterwards, and keep it away from your eyes.
• Give it a few minutes before putting clothes over it.

Our step-by-step version is in How to apply a CBD balm.

Who should not use it

Mariguanol is for adults over 18, on healthy, unbroken skin. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it should not be applied to wounds, irritated skin or anywhere near the eyes.

If your skin is sensitive or reactive, test a small patch first. The full set of precautions is on our Safe use page and in Precautions for topical CBD.

Sizes, price and where to get it

A single 90 g jar is $189 MXN in our official store. There are multipacks for people who go through it faster or want to share — 2 pieces, 3 pieces and 6 pieces, with shipping free from $799.

Mariguanol is also sold in physical shops across Mexico; our points of sale page lists where. If you are buying somewhere other than the official store, it's worth knowing how to spot the real thing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mariguanol legal?

It is a personal-care topical sold openly in Mexico and carries a COFEPRIS advertising notice. Rules for bringing cannabis-derived products across borders vary by country, so check your own before travelling with it.

Is Mariguanol the same as a hemp oil or a CBD oil?

No. Those are liquids, usually taken by mouth. Mariguanol is a balm for the skin. We compare the formats in Gel, oil, drops and tablets.

Can I shower after applying it?

You can, though washing the area will remove the product and the sensation along with it. Most people apply it after showering rather than before.

Does it stain clothes?

It's a balm, so give it a few minutes to absorb before dressing.

Why does it smell so strong?

Menthol. The scent fades considerably within the first half hour.

Where can I ask something that isn't here?

Our FAQ page covers more ground, and you can reach us through the store.

Mariguanol is a topical personal-care product. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any condition. For adults over 18. Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.