Abstract: A cannabinoid formulation for transmucosal delivery includes a first excipient comprising shea butter containing at least 40% oleic acid, at least 20% steraic acid, at least 3% linoleic acid, and at least 2% palmitic acid, a second excipient comprising soy lecithin and a third excipient that is a glycolipid precursor. In one embodiment, the glycolipids precursor is a bioadhesive polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed ?-(1?4)-linked D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine to improve mucosal and cellular permeability. Preferably the polysaccharide is derived from naturally occurring chitosan. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide is naturally occurring chitosan having a concentration of between 1-20 mg/ml in the formulation. In an alternate embodiment, the polysaccharide is trimethylchitosan having a concentration of between 1-20 mg/ml in the formulation.