Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2015
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2015 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
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Author: Trevor Hughes

POT-BASED SEX SPRAY FOR WOMEN HITTING COLORADO SHELVES

DENVER a=C2=80" A new pot spray promising to help women have better sex
will hit the shelves in Colorado next week.

Foria, which contains marijuana extract, claims the relaxing
properties of cannabis will help women have better and more satisfying
sex. It's been available for a few months in California, but only to
people with a medical marijuana card and doctor's recommendation. The
edible coconut oil-based spray a=C2=80" users spritz it on their genitals

about 30 minutes before sex a=C2=80" goes on sale to the general public i
n
Colorado next week at an Aspen marijuana boutique.

Foria, from Aphrodite Group, a California medical marijuana
cooperative, is the latest in a burgeoning line of marijuana-infused
products, from lotions to candies to patches. And while there's little
scientific evidence to back up their efficacy, scientists say
marijuana's long history of use gives significant credibility to the
concept.

"Cannabis is an aphrodisiac," said Genifer Murray, CEO of CannLabs,
one of the nation's largest marijuana-testing companies. "And there's
a lot of nerves down there."

What sets Foria apart, industry experts say, is its slick marketing
campaign that's driving significant interest from customers. The
company is launching Foria in Colorado at the X Games in Aspen, which
begin Jan. 22. A video on the company's website features women
speaking openly about how they use it and its effects. Foria claims to
be the first sexual lubricant designed specifically to improve sex for
women.

"We definitely have patients coming in for it, requesting it
specifically. ... A-list celebrities that come in specifically for it.
You'd be surprised who comes in for it," said Matthew Rosen of the
CannaSutra co-op in Studio City, Calif. "Most people have been giving
positive feedback on it."

Among those giving positive feedback: Rosen's own girlfriend. "We
tried it together and she loved it," he said.

Foria isn't cheap. In California, medical marijuana patients "donate"
money instead of buying products, and they donate about $44 for a 10ml
bottle. Each spritz contains about 2mg of THC, the component of
marijuana that normally gets people high. But marijuana plants contain
dozens of other chemical compounds, and Foria's makers say their
proprietary blend generates heightened sensation but doesn't get the
user high.

Murray said there's been an explosion in marijuana-infused product
offerings, many of them little more than snake oil trading on the
trendiness of legal marijuana.

Colorado and Washington state both allow recreational sales and use of
marijuana, and Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia also have
legalized but not yet started recreational sales. Because Foria is a
marijuana product but not a prescription medicine, anyone 21 or older
can buy it over the counter from a legal pot shop. Initially, Foria
will be offered only at the Native Roots chain of marijuana stores in
Colorado.

In Colorado, many of those recreational marijuana stores carry
marijuana-infused lotions, including the "Legalize Lotion" line from
Apothecanna. Users say the lotions can ease pain and relax muscles,
which is pretty much what Foria claims to do. Some massage therapists
in Denver are even offering "Mile High" massages with pot-infused oil,
which customers say is incredibly relaxing.

Murray said she's tried out several different kinds of pain rubs,
along with Foria.

"If this can help women have orgasms, I'm all about that," Murray
said.

And did it work for her? "No comment," she said with a laugh.
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