Cannabis Tincture 101: What Is It And How Can You Make One?

Cannabis tinctures have been in the industry for years. Vaping or smoking cannabis are easy ways to use the product. Another ideal way to use cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes is through tinctures.

Nowadays, cannabis tinctures have been less popular compared to other weed products like edibles, concentrates, or vapes. Despite that, cannabis tinctures are still readily available at most marijuana dispensaries. This guide will cover all you need to know about cannabis tinctures, such as how they are created and used.

What is a cannabis tincture?

Cannabis tincture is manufactured by dissolving a medication in alcohol. They are bottled in glass containers with droppers and include an accurate dosage on the label.

Making tinctures has a similar process to extracting cannabis oil. To make those two cannabis products, a solvent separates the cannabinoids and terpenes from the rest of the cannabis plant. These cannabinoids include THC and CBD.

Since tinctures are edible and meant to be digested, the cannabis used to make them must first be decarboxylated. A tincture can have a different impact depending on whether it is placed under the tongue, taken orally, or incorporated into any food.

Tinctures, in general, have a faster onset than edibles. Sublingual administration often has the quickest effect. That way, you won’t have to wait about two or three hours for the cannabis to take effect. Shortly after taking the tincture, you should be able to know whether or not you should increase the dosage or take more.

History of cannabis tinctures

Tinctures are a cannabis-infused product with a long history traced back several generations. They offer a hassle-free choice that appeals to first-time and seasoned users due to their convenience, user-friendliness, and absence of smoke.

Tinctures are typically used for medicinal purposes. A tincture is, in its most basic form, alcohol that has been infused with cannabis.

Interestingly, tinctures were the most common form of cannabis-based therapy before the product was made illegal in the United States many decades. Tinctures have made a remarkable resurgence in recent years, largely thanks to the increasing number of jurisdictions that have legalized the use of cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.

THC and CBD Tinctures

If this is your first time shopping for cannabis tinctures, you might be surprised to see such a large selection of different brands and products to consider.

Before deciding on making or taking tinctures, you need to know that multiple options are available. Make sure to consult your doctor and do in-depth research before you go out and get one. This way, you can decide on your preferred tincture and ensure it will be effective.

Tinctures are classed based on the amount of cannabis that they contain. They can come in three different varieties. The most popular ones include THC, CBD, or a mix of both.

Cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC, each have qualities and effects that are entirely distinct. You could find that a particular ratio of cannabinoids is ideal for you, depending on the kind of experience you are looking for.

If you don’t know the difference between THC and CBD tinctures, keep reading.

CBD tinctures

It is believed that CBD possesses many of the same health advantages as THC but without the psychoactive effects. Recent legislation in the United States has made it simpler to create and market CBD products since many studies have shown CBD and hemp to have beneficial properties.

Those who are not registered as medical marijuana patients can use tinctures that only contain CBD in places where medicinal marijuana is permitted for usage.

THC tinctures

On the other hand, tinctures with a THC concentration of greater than 0.3% are only available for purchase in states that have legalized cannabis use.

THC-dominant tinctures are pretty popular among marijuana fans. This is because THC is the cannabinoid responsible for many of the most well-known effects associated with marijuana.

THC and CBD tinctures

There is a wide variety of tinctures that provide various combinations of both THC and CBD. The most typical combination has an equal amount of THC and CBD, but you may also discover variations tailored to your specific preferences.

When comparing THC and CBD tinctures, the primary distinctions lie in the predicted effects of each, the origin of the substances, and the legal regulations that govern their use in different regions.

How to make a cannabis tincture

Although some people manufacture their tinctures at home using recipes found online, most customers opt for professionally prepared tinctures because of their ease and consistency. You can still check out how to make a cannabis tincture if you feel experimental and adventurous.

Compared to buying high-quality tinctures from your preferred dispensary, preparing a homemade one can give an experience that is far more joyful and special.

Tinctures can come in a variety of forms and flavors. You can make one yourself if you want a more personalized touch on your tincture. Take a look at how you can do that below:

Ingredients & Equipment

You will need the following to prepare a cannabis tincture:

• Cannabis flowers
• High proof alcohol
• Coffee grinder
• Cheesecloth
• Mason jar
• Glass dropper bottles
• Oven-safe pan
• Aluminum Foil
• Measuring cup
• Gloves

Procedure:

There are three ways to produce a marijuana tincture: cold, warm, and hot. We’ll cover how to make those three fundamental approaches in cannabis production below:

Cold method

The cold technique does not require cooking, making it one of the most convenient ways to make a tincture. All that is required of you is to combine the ingredients and then set the mixture aside to ferment. Check out a more detailed procedure below:

1. Split your cannabis into smaller bits before placing it in a mason jar. It is up to you how much marijuana you will use as you see fit. Make sure the bud you are using is completely dry before you start.
2. Add an amount of alcohol and ensure the cannabis remains submerged throughout the process. We recommend Everclear, but you are free to substitute any other high-proof alcohol of your choice. The standard ratio is one gram of marijuana for every fluid ounce of alcohol. However, the proportion of cannabis to alcohol does not need to be precise.
3. Make sure the weed is submerged in the liquid before securing the lid. Please give it a vigorous shake for a minute or two, then place it in the freezer until it is ready to use.
4. Take the jar out of the freezer once or twice a day for those five days and give it a thorough shake before returning it. Since alcohol has a freezing point far lower than water, it will continue to be in the liquid form throughout this procedure.
5. You will see that the cannabis starts to disintegrate after some amount of time has passed. The procedure is complete once it has been kept in the freezer for close to five days, during which time it has been given several shakes daily.
6. Now all you need to do is drain the tincture into a bowl using cheesecloth, a tea strainer made of metal, or a silk screen.
7. Throw away the remaining solid plant material, and transfer the liquid tincture into one or two dropper bottles of a suitable size and dark color.

Warm method

The warm method is the traditional way of making homemade cannabis tincture. It is almost the same as the cold method, except a freezer is not required. Here is how you make a tincture using the warm method:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar, like making tincture using the cold method.
2. The mason jar with the cannabis and alcohol should then be stored in a dark, cold, and dry location away from direct sunlight for at least one month.
3. After these 30 to 60 days, sift the mixture to separate the liquid from the solid particles. Then transfer the tincture to dropper bottles.

After the jar has been shut, you won’t need to do anything more like having to shake it daily. If you choose this method, we recommend creating a fresh batch every two and four weeks.

Depending on how much you produce at once, brewing at different times will allow you to get one tincture ready as you use the other. This way, you won’t ever have to worry about not having enough tincture to last you the entire month.

Hot method

Making a batch of cannabis tincture using the hot technique is also known as the Green Dragon method. It requires a little more tools and continual care, so you don’t set the alcohol on fire. Here is how you make the tincture:

1. Begin by chopping the cannabis flower as finely as you can. Please put it on an oven-safe pan and bake it at 325°F for at least five minutes, or until the cannabis aroma transfuses.
2. In the same manner, as you did in the cold and warm techniques, combine the bud with high-proof alcohol in a mason jar.
3. Put the mason jar on the pan and add enough water until it reaches at least an inch and a half up the sides of the jar. Do not put any water in the mason jar.
4. Bring the water to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, continue to simmer the mason jar while it is uncovered. The mixture should not boil more than 165°F, so you need a candy thermometer. If the alcohol does boil over the ideal temperature, you need to reduce the heat and proceed.
5. Take the jar from the water bath using pot holders and place it somewhere else to cool down.
6. Wait for the jar to cool down up to the point when you can safely touch it with your hands. Then, strain the tincture into a fresh dish to separate the liquid from any remaining cannabis solids.
7. Wait until the liquid has cooled down before transferring it to dropper bottles.

If you have a kitchen fan, keep it on during the cooking process to eliminate any flammable alcohol vapors from circulating within the place. You should also ensure that you are in a location with adequate ventilation so that the vapors do not condense and catch fire.

Using the hot method, you may also purchase a specialized cannabis processor like Magical Butter to create tinctures. All you need to do is put the cannabis and alcohol in the Magical Butter machine. Then, press the “tincture” button, and in about four hours, your tincture will be ready to filter through a personalized Magical Butter bag.

Using the Magical Butter machine eliminates the risk of combustion and requires continual observation.

How to use cannabis tinctures

There are three different ways to use a cannabis tincture, whether you prepared it yourself or brought it from a dispensary. You can incorporate it into any food, drop it directly into your mouth, or take it sublingually.

Sublingual consumption

Consuming cannabis tincture sublingually is one of the most effective ways to get high. This is because it causes the effects to set in quicker and with more intensity.

To use a tincture sublingually, put the prescribed amount beneath your tongue using a dropper. Hold your breath for at least thirty seconds, then swallow. This makes it possible for the tincture to enter the circulation, which results in a quicker onset of effects.

It is vital to allow the drops of tincture to your sublingual artery for around thirty seconds beneath your tongue. This should result in a nice body high in approximately fifteen minutes.

Direct swallow

Simply placing the right amount of the tincture in your mouth and swallowing it is the most straightforward and most effective approach to take it. However, the effects won’t kick in as rapidly as they would if you had used the sublingual method. The time before the onset of the effects is similar and will take close to vaping cannabis or eating edibles.

Incorporation to food

Put as much or little as you like of the cannabis tincture into your food or drink. It should take roughly the same amount of time as edibles for the benefits to start taking effect. Cannabis edibles and how to consume them are quick and easy. You can also put some tinctures on your favorite cannabis recipes, like cannabis butter or cannabis-infused tea.

Benefits of using cannabis tinctures

Tinctures have several benefits that set them apart from other ways of using cannabis like smoking, vaping, or edibles. Using tinctures has several advantages, including the following:

Fewer calories

You may still get the same effects from edibles that you would with using tinctures but without the additional calories, sugar, and fat. Keep in mind that you are consuming more calories when taking edibles. Conversely, tinctures only require you to take a few drops, resulting in fewer calories.

Smoke-free

Some cannabis users believe smoking the plant is not the best way to consume it. Tinctures may be a great alternative if you don’t want to smoke.

Discrete

Are you often afraid or wary of people finding out that you use cannabis products? Fortunately, tinctures are discrete since they do not smell like cannabis and appear like any other medicine when packaged in a glass bottle with a dropper.

In addition, you will be able to swiftly enjoy a few drops without having to deal with the attention that conventional smoking may frequently draw.

Quicker Onset

Using cannabis vapes or edibles is easy, but if you want a fast high, tinctures are an ideal product to use. When taken sublingually, the effects are quicker to appear and will continue for longer.

Accurate dosage

Users of cannabis edibles, flowers, and concentrates often consume a more significant amount of cannabis than is required. This is because it is often difficult to gauge the optimum dosage and amount of product.

In addition, you have better control over your serving when you use a dropper. Thus, you may adjust the quantity to meet your needs exactly what you want.

Since tinctures are liquid concentrates, they can be ingested one or two drops at a time until the desired effects are felt. They are also a preferable option for those who do not enjoy smoking cannabis or who have difficulty using it.

Conclusion

Tinctures offer a straightforward method of experiencing the medicinal advantages of the cannabis plant without the need to engage in smoking. Tinctures are available at reasonable prices at most dispensaries. But, they can also be made with only a few simple materials and extreme care.

Some easy and quick methods for using cannabis tinctures are ideal for those planning to use them for the first time for medicinal or recreational purposes.

It is recommended that you start with the cold approach because it requires the least amount of work and the shortest time to wait. The hot method will take you around one month to produce a tincture.

Check out our selection of premium cannabis tinctures at The Herb Center.

Do you feel that tinctures are an ideal product for you? Whether you’re looking for a new method to consume cannabis, an infused tinctured product could be what you’ve been looking for.

The Herb Center offers various cannabis tinctures of the highest quality. Our THC and CBD tinctures are made with expertly designed formulations. Whether you are just starting in the world of cannabis or are a seasoned user, we have cannabis products that will cater to your tastes. Buy weed online and try our mail-order marijuana services within specific areas in Canada.