A Quick Start Guide to Making Cannabis Tinctures

Cannabis tinctures are relatively new on the scene compared to the long, thousands-year-old history of the cannabis plant itself. It was first recognized for its medicinal use in European medicine in 1839, and by 1851, medicinal cannabis tinctures had made their way into a drug almanac known as the United States Pharmacopeia. Despite prohibition throughout the decades, tinctures have prevailed as an excellent (and smoke-free) consumption method for medicinal and recreational cannabis users alike, with both cannabidiol (CBD) tinctures and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) tinctures available. 

Traditionally, tinctures are “medicine suspended in alcohol.” And that’s precisely what cannabis tinctures remain today (although the definition has expanded a bit to include oil- and glycerin-based tinctures). Making tinctures is incredibly simple—you just need a little time for the high-proof grain alcohol and decarboxylated cannabis flower to mingle into a potent concoction.

Let’s explore these versatile cannabis products and how to make them at home. 

How To Make Cannabis Tincture: Recipes and Tips

You can easily buy cannabis tinctures, but it’s also super easy to make them at home. Plus, making them at home allows you to customize with the type of cannabis and dosage that you like.

How To Make A DIY CBD Tincture With An Easy Recipe You Can Make At Home

Are you ready to make your own DIY cannabis tincture? Here’s what you need and how to do it. 

Tools

• Scale
• Sheet pan
• Tinfoil*
• Mason jar
• Measuring cup
• Mesh strainer
• Cheesecloth or coffee filter
• Amber/dark-colored glass dropper bottle or jar for storage**
• Dropper*

*Optional

**An airtight glass jar or bottle is more important than the color.

Ingredients

• -3.5-7 grams of raw cannabis flower
• -2-4 ounces of high-proof, clear grain alcohol (190 proof is best)
• 
  Note: My preferred ratio is 4 grams of flower to 3 ounces of alcohol, and I typically end up with about 11-15 mg/mL doses of THC and about 2.5 ounces/75 milliliters of tincture.

Steps

1. Decarboxylate the cannabis flower. Preheat the oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Roughly chop the cannabis buds so that the pieces are all about the same size (about half the size of a popped popcorn kernel). Spread the plant material in an even layer on the baking sheet. Cover with tinfoil to preserve terpenes and trap the scent. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the flower smells brighter and the buds have turned slightly darker (almost browned).
2. To preserve terpenes, allow the pan to cool for 15 minutes or more before moving on to the next step. 
3. Combine the decarbed flower and alcohol in a mason jar and screw on the lid. Shake it gently, and then place the jar in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks. Give the jar a gentle shake every day over those two-plus weeks.
4. Once the soak is complete, line a mesh strainer with cheesecloth, strain the flower from the alcohol, and store it in a dark-colored jar in a cool, dark place. 

READ: A Medical Cannabis Tincture: How To Make Green Dragon Tincture

Alternative Methods for Making Cannabis Tinctures

Interested in trying something different? We’ve got you! There are several methods for making cannabis tinctures. 

If you’re looking to avoid alcohol entirely, you can use a crockpot. Simply simmer neutral oil and your decarbed flower in the slow cooker, and then strain it out. 

Another method for making a cannabis tincture involves using food-grade glycerin. To make it without heat, simply combine decarbed flower and glycerin in a jar, then store it in a dark place for at least three weeks before straining.

What’s the Difference Between CBD vs THC Tinctures?

Within cannabis tinctures, there are both CBD tinctures and THC tinctures. The difference between them is both in the compounds involved and the effects. 

THC tinctures can have psychoactive effects because of how THC affects the brain. CBD tinctures, comparatively, are more likely to have a calming effect, as CBD is not psychoactive. It may also be used more for relieving inflammation and anxiety.  

How to Consume Cannabis Tinctures?

There are a few different ways to use cannabis tinctures. The easiest and most common way to use them is sublingually, or under the tongue. To consume the tincture this way, all that you need to do is put the tincture (in the correct dosage) under your tongue for about 30-60 seconds, and then swallow it. Using this method allows the cannabinoids to enter your bloodstream relatively quickly. 

Another way to consume cannabis tinctures is by mixing them into drinks or food. This could be coffee or tea, smoothies, or on top of your meal. Feeling the effects may take longer this way, but it can be fun! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best method for cannabis tincture?

There is no “best” method for creating a cannabis or THC tincture. It totally depends on your priorities and what you have available to you. Whether you do or don’t want to use alcohol, and whether you want to use heat, will help you figure out which method is best for you. 

What is the best base for cannabis tincture?

Again, the best base will depend on your preferences. However, ethanol is the most commonly used base. It also binds well with cannabinoids and is tasteless. 

What is the best liquid for cannabis tincture?

The best liquid (or base) for a cannabis tincture depends on your preference, but high-proof alcohol tends to be the most common and foolproof. 

Is cannabis tincture stronger than edibles?

The strength of a cannabis tincture or edibles depends on the dosage and type. However, tinctures often have a higher THC potency. They also tend to be faster-acting, and they are easier to dose. Edibles, on the other hand, can often provide longer-lasting effects.