Marijuana Salves and Ointments

I learned the other day that medical marijuana dispensaries sell MJ salves and ointments.

How do those work? Does THC applied topically get absorbed through the skin and give the patient a high? Does it numb the affected area?

My hubby visited CA and brought home a bottle of Ganja serum. He used it on a place behind his ear that the doc said was psoriasis and it went away after a while. He swears his friends use in on all kinds of skin ailments and it works. I don’t think it gave him a buzz though.

I always thought it was hemp oil, not thc in the ointments. The one I have says its anti-inflamatory, but I’ve never actually used it. For some reason it smells like coconut.