Guide to Cannabis Tinctures: What You Should Know

There are plenty of ways to consume cannabis, and if you have been researching cannabis products, you would have come across cannabis tinctures. It is a smokeless consumption method that is perfect for people starting their journey into either medical or recreational cannabis use.

Are you interested in trying cannabis tincture or planning to make your own? Let us dive in deep into what tinctures are, how to make them, how to consume them, and where to find quality tinctures for personal consumption. 

What are Cannabis Tinctures

Before anything else, we have to clarify what tinctures are in the scope of this article. You may wonder if CBD oils and tinctures refer to the same product type. Technically, CBD oil is an oil-based product, while CBD tincture is an alcohol-based product. Nevertheless, the cannabis industry uses oils and tinctures interchangeably.

When the cannabis industry emerged in 2018, many companies referred to their CBD oils as tinctures. However, they use ‘tincture’ to refer to cannabis products that come in dropper-style bottles. Therefore, any dropper-style cannabis product, whether oil-based or alcohol-based, is often referred to as a tincture.

We will be discussing both oil-based and alcohol-based tinctures in this article. They are usually packed in the same way, but there are crucial distinctions that you have to consider before you decide which one to use.

Tinctures use high-percentage alcohol or suitable carrier oil as a solvent for cannabis extract. They use glass bottles as containers and come with droppers for precise dosing. If you are looking for an easy entry point into cannabis consumption, start with tinctures. 

Compounds from cannabis flowers can be derived through CO2 extraction or solvent extraction. The extraction process removes most of the plant material and leaves behind the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes. For tinctures, the solvent can be used in the final product. If the compounds are for vaping, all solvents must be purged completely. 

Tinctures are meant to be consumed orally or sublingually. Since they are edibles, the cannabis flowers have to be decarboxylated to make compounds active and potent. Otherwise, the tincture will not have any effect at all.

THC Vs. CBD Tinctures

The cannabis plant has more than a hundred plant compounds called cannabinoids, but CBD and THC are the most common. Before you buy tinctures, you have to know what cannabinoids are in them. They usually contain CBD, THC, or a combination of the two. Today, you can also find tinctures that contain other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC.

Before deciding between CBD or THC tincture, determine what your goal is. Do you want to reap the medical benefits of cannabis, or do you want to experience a recreational trip? CBD is more like cannabis medicine, but if you wish to experience the psychoactive effects of marijuana, go for THC tinctures.

How to Make Cannabis Tinctures

If you are up to the challenge, cannabis tinctures can make for an excellent DIY project. You can use your kitchen, garage, or any other free room in your home to make them. You will need a filter, mason jar, alcohol or oil, and cannabis flower/concentrate.

Using Alcohol as Base

It would be best to use high-proof and food-grade alcohol for your tinctures. Some people use glycerin as a replacement, but this plant-based oil does not readily bond to cannabis compounds, resulting in a less potent tincture.

High-proof alcohol is best because it can dissolve cannabis resin more efficiently. You want the alcohol to be at least 150 proof but go for 190 or 200 proof. Never use isopropyl alcohol to make tinctures because it is not intended for consumption.

A simple ratio is to use 750ml of alcohol with each ounce of cannabis flower. To increase the potency, you can reduce how much alcohol content you put in.

Step-by-step instructions:

• Decarboxylate the cannabis flower and grind it.
• Place the ground flower or concentrate in the mason jar and mix it with the alcohol.
• Place the lid on the jar, give it a shake, and let the mixture sit for at least 24 hours, a week, or more.
• If you intend to let the mixture sit for more than a day, shake the jar once a day.
• Use a coffee filter or cheesecloth to strain the tincture.
• Use as desired.

Using a Carrier Oil as Base

You can use many types of oils as a carrier for cannabinoids. MCT oil, hemp seed oil, and olive oil are the most common oils.

MCT oil is the most popular because it is affordable and easy to use, and this healthy fat obtained from coconuts is also easy to digest and absorb. It remains transparent and liquid even at room temperature, making it one of the best carrier oils for tinctures.

Equipment: 

• Crockpot
• Pint mason jars
• Cheesecloth or coffee filter

Ingredients

• 16oz MCT OIl
• 1oz Cannabis Flower
• 1tsp liquid sunflower lecithin (optional)

Instructions:

• The first step is to make a water bath for the cooking process. Place a clean towel at the bottom of the crockpot to buffer the mason jars. Fill the crockpot with enough water to cover the mason jars.
• Use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature of the water because it should stay at approximately 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn the crockpot to high heat at first and set it to low when the water temperature reaches 185 degrees.
• Divide the decarbed cannabis flower and the MCT oil evenly on the mason jars. Add the lecithin as well.
• Place the mason jars carefully into the water bath and leave it for four hours.
• After the water bath, remove the jars and let them cool.
• Use a cheesecloth, funnel, or coffee filter to separate the oil from the plant matter.
• Transfer the cannabis-infused oil into suitable containers.
• Enjoy or store in a cool, dark place.

How to Consume Cannabis Tinctures

Be consistent in your dosing when making tinctures at home. If you want to make tinctures with different potencies, label the containers to avoid confusion in the future. Take note of the cannabis strain you use as well.

When the tincture is finished, take 1ml sublingually and wait for at least 15 to 30 minutes for the effects to kick in. If the potency is not that strong, try taking 2ml the following day and see if there is a difference. If the potency is good enough, that is the correct dose for you.

The fastest way to enjoy the effects of the cannabinoids in the tincture is to take it sublingually or under the tongue. Place the liquid under the tongue and let it sit there for about 60 seconds or longer until the tissue membranes absorb the cannabinoids. Give it at least 15 to 30 minutes for the effects to peak. The effects will linger on for about 2 to 3 hours.

If you want the effects to last longer, take the tincture orally and swallow. The liquid will pass through the digestive tract and the liver before reaching your bloodstream. Expect the effects to kick in around 1 to 2 hours. However, the effects may last up to six hours.

You will taste the burning sensation of alcohol or the oily texture of carrier oil when you consume cannabis tinctures directly. However, you can infuse them into various foods and drinks like soups, gravy, coffee, tea, cocktails, salads, and others. For more cannabis infusion ideas, you can search the Internet for cannabis-infused tincture recipes.

Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures

If it is your first time using cannabis, it is best to start with an easy-to-consume product. While vaping and smoking are popular consumption methods, not everyone is accustomed to them. Here are some other reasons you want to use tinctures instead of different forms of consumption:

Discrete

Smoking or vaping cannabis can make you smell like weed. If you wish to avoid smelling like weed, consume a tincture. You can get the desired effects from weed without bothering everyone else around you with smoke or vapour. Plus, it is easy to conceal a small glass bottle in your pocket or bag.

Faster Onset

Tinctures are designed for sublingual consumption. It can take as quickly as 15 minutes for the effects to start kicking in. If you eat cannabis edibles, the effects can take as long as an hour or two. With tinctures, you can get your low-calorie dose with just a few drops and get the desired result in minutes instead of hours.

Easy Dosing

You can easily dose with tinctures because of the dropper. You can take two full droppers if the effects are not as potent, and you can also take half an ml if the tincture is too strong.

Long Shelf Life

With proper storage, tinctures can last for years. Even if you stop taking cannabis for a year and decide to try it out again, you can still find your tinctures edible and ready for use.

Cannabis Tincture Summary

The medical marijuana industry provides cannabis products that can help various medical conditions. The most common forms of cannabis products are oil-based and alcohol-based tinctures, and they offer a smokeless consumption alternative.

Tinctures are easy to dose with the use of a dropper, and you can start with a low dose by filling only 1/4 or 1/2 of it. For faster effects, you can take the tincture under the tongue and expect the effects to start within 15 minutes.

You can also use tinctures to infuse foods and beverages with cannabis by adding them to coffee, cocktails, soups, salads, and other edibles. If you eat cannabis-infused edibles, the effects will take about an hour to manifest.

Tinctures can provide longer-lasting effects compared to vaped or smoked cannabis, and they can also last for many years as long as they are stored in a cool, dark area. Longer shelf life means you can store as many tincture bottles for personal consumption.

Where to Get Quality Cannabis Tincture

You can make your tincture at home, but not everyone has the time or the interest to make a tincture. Cannabis tinctures are available in many online stores today, but get them from reputable licensed dispensaries. Whether you are looking for THC or CBD products, always buy from a trusted source.

Also, find cannabis tinctures that are suited for your needs. Check the product’s potency and read the label for descriptions and ingredients. Some tinctures are formulated for medicinal purposes such as pain relief, menstrual cramps, PMS, sleep, energy boost, animal care, and the like.

At BudLyft, we offer many kinds of tinctures for different purposes. Try our Mota 450mg CBD Tincture, a perfect product for medical consumers who do not wish to experience the mind-altering effects of THC. Also, check out our Animalitos CBD Cat Tincture 150mg, designed to provide the health benefits of CBD to your beloved pet cats.