What Is a Cannabis Tincture And How Can You Make One?

There is a wide variety of ways to take cannabis. Most cannabis users can smoke it, add it to their food, or vape it. What exactly is a tincture? Today, you will learn about cannabis tinctures, such as how to create one, how to use them, and why you should try them.

What is a cannabis tincture?

An alcohol tincture is typically a medicinal solution used to treat various medical conditions. Herbal tinctures usually contain an active drug or plant and an alcohol solvent.

Cannabis tinctures are extracts that are dissolved in alcohol to remove any impurities. They are an excellent starting point for recreational users and medicinal patients interested in transitioning to smokeless consumption techniques.

You can often find tinctures bottled in glass containers with droppers. Due to their packaging, cannabis medicine in the form of tinctures is one of the most effective approaches in terms of accurate dosage compared to oil or edible.

Back when cannabis was illegal, using tinctures was the most popular method of medicinal cannabis consumption in the United States. Now, the industry is also focused on other ways of ingesting cannabis. Despite this, there has been an increasing interest in cannabis tinctures. This is why they are still readily available at almost every medical marijuana dispensary across the US.

Different types of tinctures

Tinctures can come in three different varieties. The most popular ones include THC, CBD, or both. Before buying or making a tincture, you need to know what options are available to you and what will be most effective. It is believed that CBD has many of the same health advantages as THC, except for its psychoactive effects or most often known as “high.” 

The recent laws in the United States have made it simpler to create and market CBD-dominant items. This is due to the proven studies showing CBD to have beneficial properties. Thus, CBD-rich tinctures do not suffer the same legal challenges as THC-dominant ones and maybe marketed nationwide.

On the other hand, hemp tinctures with a high-THC concentration of greater than 0.3% are only legally available in states that have legalized marijuana use. 

Making cannabis tinctures

Making tinctures is similar to the process of extracting cannabis oil. However, cannabis oils do not use solvents since the final product is intended to be inhaled rather than taken orally.

In tinctures, a solvent separates cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and terpenes from the cannabis plant. Alcohol serves not only as a solvent but also as an ingredient in the finished product. Since tinctures are edible products, the cannabis used to make them must be decarboxylated first.

Homemade cannabis tincture recipe

To make a tincture:

1. Use one 750 mL bottle of alcohol for every ounce of cannabis flower.
2. If you want a more powerful tincture, cut the amount of alcohol in it until you reach the required strength.
3. Look at the steps below to learn how to make your homemade cannabis tincture.

Ingredients & Equipment:

• Cannabis flowers
• High proof alcohol
• Grinder
• Cheesecloth
• Mason jar
• Glass dropper bottles
• Oven-safe pan
• Aluminum Foil
• A measuring cup made of glass
• Gloves

Procedure:

1. The first thing you need to do is decarboxylate your cannabis flower or concentrate. The ideal temperature for decarboxylation is 230°F and should be maintained for 110 minutes. Start the decarbing process by grinding your cannabis into a fine powder or splitting it into tiny bits. You can use a coffee grinder to crush the cannabis down. 
2. Then, put the grounded cannabis in a pan. Wrap the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the cannabis from getting hot enough to burn or evaporate while cooking. Bake at a temperature of 230°F for 110 minutes. 
3. Then, combine the cannabis with high-proof alcohol in a mason jar and shake well.
4. Seal the jar and wait a few weeks. Make sure to shake it once a day and open it up to mix the contents. Shaking plays an essential role in separating undesirable components of the cannabis plant. If you don’t feel like waiting a few weeks, you can get away with shaking it for three minutes. 
5. Once a few weeks have passed, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. When the liquid can no longer pass through the cheesecloth, put on gloves and squeeze the remaining liquid out of the cloth. 
6. Correctly store your tincture in an airtight container. Move everything into a dropper bottle made of glass. You may keep it in a mason jar if you want to store it for a lengthy time. 

In any case, you’ll want to ensure the surrounding atmosphere is chilly and dim. Tinctures have diminished purity and efficacy when air, light, or heat exposure.

Tips on making cannabis-derived tinctures

It is pretty easy to make cannabis tinctures. To ensure a safer and better cannabis experience, here are some valuable tips to improve your homemade tincture.

Ensure that the cannabis-based tinctures contain the right kind of alcohol

If you aim to make a cannabis tincture by yourself, all you need to have is a bottle, some alcohol, and a filter. Tinctures can be made with food-grade quality and high-proof alcohol. A tincture is typically an alcoholic extract of plant material with ethanol ranging from 25 to 60%. Alcohol is often used to make tinctures since it is efficient at breaking down both acidic and essential components of the cannabis plant.

Thus, your first goal in making a tincture is to look for high-proof alcohol you consume without risk. The greater the percentage of alcohol, the more effective it will be when dissolving the cannabis resin. Try using Everclear since it is safe for human consumption and has exceptionally high proof. Products like isopropyl alcohol are not meant to be ingested; you should never use it to make a tincture.

Vinegar and glycerin are other solvents that may be used to make a tincture. Glycerin is a type of oil derived from plants. However, these solvents are not as successful as alcohol at removing all of the compounds from the original plant matter. Some try to manufacture a more potent glycerin tincture by adding alcohol and then carefully evaporating it off the tincture. The glycerin is added at the end of the process. 

Slowly increase the dosage of the tincture.

After the tincture has been prepared, you can now try it. Put one mg of the completed tincture beneath your tongue. Slowly increase the dosage or amount of the tincture until you are satisfied with the results. The effects of a tincture can change significantly depending on how it is consumed. Tinctures can be taken sublingually or orally. They can also be added to cannabis recipes like cannabis-infused tea or cannabis butter.

You can increase your dosage gradually to prevent reaching an uncomfortably high level. Do this by trying 2 mL the next day until you discover your ideal dosage.

Store the tinctures properly.

When producing tinctures, it is vital to have a consistent approach. If you made two batches with different concentrations, your dose from either would be different. Make sure to track how much alcohol and cannabis you use for each batch. This way, the recipe can be repeated easily with consistent results.

Cannabis tinctures may be preserved for a significant time if kept in a cold and dark location. Since they last long after being made, you can whip up a substantial amount of them all at once. Tinctures are a healthier alternative to the classic cannabis-infused brownies or other edibles in terms of calorie content. If you use alcohol with a proof of 190, each milliliter of your tincture will only have around seven calories.

Pros of using cannabis extracts and tinctures

Tinctures are a great starting point for those who have never used cannabis. The following are some of the reasons why:

They have a low profile. 

You may enjoy the effects and benefits of cannabis without being bothered by its distinct odor if you consume a tincture instead. In addition, it is pretty simple to conceal in a little jar you carry in your pockets.

Quick onset

Tinctures from cannabis provide immediate potential effects that can be felt as fast as 15 minutes. However, the effects will be easier to wear off, unlike edibles which might take up to an hour to manifest. For instance, if you are having trouble sleeping, try using Mota 1:1 Sleep Tincture for a chance to doze off within minutes.

Easy to dose

Tinctures are the ideal product to use if you want to try different doses. You may use an eyedropper to measure your dose. This way, you can easily control your intake.

Lesser calories

You may get the same feeling from weed edibles like candies and pot brownies with cannabis-induced tinctures. However, tinctures are just drops of liquid, while edibles contain more carbs and sugar. Thus, taking tinctures results in fewer calories.

FAQs about cannabis tinctures

Check out some of the most asked questions about cannabis tinctures below:

What is the proper way to take a tincture?

Cannabis tinctures are often consumed by placing a few drops beneath the tongue. This way, the THC is quickly absorbed via the arterial blood supply located under the tongue. You can also ingest the tincture as part of a drink or some meal, which will lead to your liver absorbing it slower.

Do tinctures cause a burning sensation?

Some people may feel a scorching sensation beneath their tongue after taking just a few drops of a tincture. This is because tinctures are made with high-proof alcohol. If the tincture causes burning beneath your tongue, you can switch to a tincture that is based on glycerin, or you may mix your current tincture with a beverage.

How long does it take for the effects of a cannabis tincture to start?

When you take a dose of tincture sublingually, you should expect to feel the effects after 15 to 45 minutes. You will reach your highest point around 90 minutes after taking the dose. If you only drink the dose, expect a slower start, similar to edibles.

What are the side effects of marijuana tinctures?

If you take a THC tincture, you will receive the identical side effects you would get from cannabis smoking. Like the excessive use of any other substance connected to cannabis, tinctures can give many undesirable effects such as:

• Increased difficulty in thinking 
• Memory problems 
• Decline in coordination
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety and panic attacks

The long-term impacts might also include the development of an addiction to cannabis. Even though no evidence exists that cannabis causes physical addiction, mental addiction to the substance is possible. 

Some people will show signs of mental addiction like drug abuse. You can detect this when you see them continuously using the tincture, even though the effects harm their lives and those around them. Addiction will not happen to everyone, but some people will show signs of mental addiction. 

If you are experiencing anxiety as a side effect of the tincture, you may try using a cannabis strain for anxiety and see if your feeling will improve. The best way to combat side effects is to ensure that you can safely consume the tincture by visiting your doctor.

Are CBD tinctures better than CBD oils?

The adverse effects of consuming a CBD tincture are more subtle than ingesting CBD oil. CBD can indeed make your mouth dry. However, many people are more likely to consider all the potential health advantages CBD offers.

CBD lowers the capacity of your liver to digest other medications, which is the only additional negative effect worth mentioning. When introducing CBD to your daily routine, you should always check in with your primary care physician because of the possibility of adverse reactions.

Do cannabis tinctures get you drunk?

The standard capacity of a shot glass is 40 milliliters, while an ordinary bottle of tincture contains 30 milliliters. One bottle of tincture has at least 30 servings of cannabis but only contains one serving of alcohol. Thus, getting intoxicated on a tincture is possible but not likely. 

To feel the effects of alcohol-based tinctures, you must consume many of them. If the tincture contains THC, you will experience an “overdose” before you can even feel drunk. 

Can tinctures be made without the use of alcohol?

It is possible to prepare tinctures without alcohol, but these are more accurately referred to as infusions rather than tinctures. You can use any oil that is safe for food. If you decide to go the path of oil infusion, you might want to consider using heat to speed up the oil infusing process.

Can I take a marijuana tincture?

Cannabis tinctures are ideal to use by those who want to find relief from pain due to digestive issues, such as ulcers, coeliac disease, and others.

Moreover, inhaling the smoke of any kind into one’s lungs poses several health risks. This is why smoking cannabis has not been shown to cure or improve cancer. Thus, the sublingual ingestion of cannabis tinctures is ideal for those concerned about the risks of smoking.

Tinctures are also an excellent option for anyone who may be too ill, too elderly, or too young to smoke or even correctly vape cannabis. 

Should I swallow the tincture or not?

You may swallow the tincture on its own, or you can mix it with anything like tea or juice. There will be no unfavorable outcomes. If you use a THC tincture, the delta-9-THC present in your tincture will be converted into 11-hydroxy-THC as it travels through your digestive tract and liver. The time it takes for this to happen might range from one to two hours or even longer, depending on your metabolism.

This indicates that you won’t start to experience the effects for at least two hours after taking the medication. On top of that, they may be somewhat distinct due to the presence of 11-hydroxy-THC in the plant. Ingested 11-Hydroxy-THC has the potential to produce effects that are four to five times more potent than those produced by inhaled Delta-9-THC. If you ingest the tincture, it will almost certainly take a far more protracted amount of time for it to have any impact.

However, do not swallow your tincture if you want to get the maximum benefits of sublingual absorption. Put some of the tincture solutions beneath your tongue and let it dissolve slowly.

Conclusion

Tinctures are an excellent starting point if you are looking for a better and safer way of taking cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. Tinctures are simple to prepare and use. The benefits may not kick in two hours if you consume your tincture by drinking it or adding it to food. Thus, you should be patient and start slow so you won’t feel uncomfortable.

When kept in a cold, dark place, tinctures have a shelf life extending into many years. Because it has a long shelf life, you can produce large quantities of your cannabis edibles at home. You may easily create your cannabis tincture at home. However, discussing your options with a medical professional before doing it is essential.

Check out THC and CBD tinctures at Ahuevo.

Are you looking for a reliable dispensary where you can order tinctures? Check out Ahuevo Tinctures! We provide same-day delivery within Metro Vancouver! Place your order now and receive your cannabis products like tinctures, weed strains, or concentrates in Canada within the day.