Medication made by dissolving cannabis in alcohol. Also known as golden or green dragon tincture. Tinctures contain a range of cannabinoids and are administered orally, sublingually, or in tandem with a beverage. Tinctures are often packaged in small glass bottles with droppers as caps for convenient dosing.They offer patients a method of consumption that doesn’t require combustion or inhalation.
“I use a CBD tincture oil before flights to help with my flying phobia.”
“This homemade cannabis tincture has me feeling so relaxed.”
More about Tinctures
What Is a Tincture?
Tinctures are basically alcohol infused with some sort of medication — in this case, cannabis. They’re a simple, smokeless way to dose, and very popular because they are easy to make, store, transport, and use. In addition to the cannabis plant, a tincture may also be made from herbs. Dandelion is one popular herb that may be an ingredient in tinctures.
How are Tinctures used?
Tincture drops are often administered sublingually, or under the tongue. They can also be mixed into foods and drinks, such as smoothies, salad dressings, and soups. Some people use tinctures because, unlike edibles such as cookies or brownies, they have very few calories.
Consuming a tincture sublingually is the most straightforward method and allows users to feel the full effects quicker because the medication is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Finding the right dose is relatively simple, but it requires trial and error and a bit of patience. Most, if not all, tinctures come with a dropper that allows consumers to measure how much they consume. Because all consumers are different, its best to start with a 1mL dose. Place the drop under your tongue, hold for 30 seconds, then swallow. Cannabis tinctures are fast-acting and will deliver the desired effects quickly.
When mixing into foods, the onset effects will take longer than consuming sublingually because the medication is absorbed through the digestive process. The onset time is similar to medicating with an edible.
The history of Tinctures
The first official account of cannabis tinctures being used in Western medicine was in an 1843 medical journal. The piece included a recipe, so it didn’t take long for apothecaries and patent medicine producers to begin making and selling tinctures.
A few years later, in 1851, tinctures first appeared in the United States Pharmacopeia — an almanac with a list of medicinal drugs, their effects, and usage instructions — under the name Extractum Cannabis Purificatum, or “purified extract of Indian hemp.”
Tinctures were such accepted medicine that in the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria’s personal physician prescribed a cannabis tincture to help relieve her menstrual cramps. The physician wrote, “When pure and administered carefully, [cannabis] is one of the most valuable medicines we possess.”
In the U.S., the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 taxed the possession and transfer of cannabis so outrageously that it was basically outlawed, and cannabis was removed from the US Pharmacopeia four years later.
How to Make Cannabis Tinctures
Making tinctures isn’t difficult, but it can take weeks — so if you’re going the homemade route, you can’t be in a hurry. Here’s a basic cannabis tincture recipe with detailed instructions and tincture dosage.
The ingredients are dried, ground flower or extract and high-proof ethyl alcohol to use as a solvent. The higher the proof, or double the percentage of alcohol by volume, the more cannabinoids will be absorbed. Add a few other household supplies (including a mason jar, some coffee filters, and a measuring cup) and you’re off and running.
Note: In order to feel the euphoric, intoxicating effects of cannabis in the tincture, the cannabis flower must be decarboxylated by heat to break down tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) before it’s mixed with alcohol.
Mix the cannabis and alcohol in the jar, then seal it and put it in a freezer. It can soak anywhere from a week to six months, but the jar will need to be shaken for one minute each day to keep the cannabinoids evenly distributed.
To complete the process, filter out the cannabis plant matter from the remaining tincture liquid using the coffee filter. The tincture will be usable for years if kept in a cool, dry place out of sunlight or direct light.
How to Make CBD Tinctures
Here is an easy CBD tincture recipe:
Supplies:
⅛ ounce cannabis that contains high levels of CBD, such as Sour Tsunami or Ringo’s Gift
2 ounces 190 proof grain alcohol
Mason jar and lid
Coffee filter
Eye dropper
Instructions:
Decarb the cannabis
Combine cannabis and alcohol in mason jar
Cover the jar and leave it for 3 weeks, shaking at daily intervals
After 3 weeks, use the coffee filter to remove the cannabis from the liquid
ADVANTAGES OF CANNABIS TINCTURES
When it comes to choosing the right products for your ideal cannabis journey, every adventurer’s path is unique. Assuming that you’re well-prepared with top-quality cannabis from a reputable dispensary like Canna Provisions, you’ll quickly discover that each form offers its own unique benefits – ultimately, it’s all about picking the ones that serve you best.
Cannabis-infused tinctures boast an array of distinct advantages, many of which have made them one of the more popular ways to enjoy cannabis. Depending on your lifestyle, personal preferences, and needs, you may find that one or more of the benefits of cannabis tinctures appeals to you:
● Discretion: Unlike many other forms of cannabis, tinctures don’t have a noticeable marijuana aroma. Generally packaged in a simple glass bottle with a dropper top, tinctures look very similar to other supplements or medications. You’ll be able to quickly enjoy a few drops without dealing with the attention that traditional smoking can often attract.
● Convenience: It doesn’t get any easier than using a simple dropper to partake in the properties of cannabis, with next to no effort or time required on your part. In seconds, you’ll be ready to tackle your next big adventure.
● Precise serving sizes: Because a dropper gives you greater control over your serving, you can tailor the amount specific to your liking.
● A smoke-free alternative: For some cannabis enthusiasts, smoking cannabis isn’t an ideal option. Regardless of why you prefer to opt-out of smoking, a tincture can offer an excellent smoke-free option.
● Less calories than edibles: Tinctures provide a similar experience to edibles, but without the added calories, sugar, and fat that can come from daily sweet treats.
● Potentially faster onset of effects: Enjoying your tincture sublingually (under your tongue) may produce effects more quickly, as well as result in a longer-lasting experience.
BROWSE PREMIUM-QUALITY CANNABIS TINCTURES AT OUR MASSACHUSETTS DISPENSARIES
Do tinctures sound like an ideal addition to your cannabis journey? Whether you’re seeking a new way to enjoy cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes, infused tinctured may be exactly the product you’re searching for.
Canna Provisions carries an extensive selection of top-grade cannabis tinctures, offering an array of options when it comes to choosing your next adventure. Expertly formulated, convenient, and delivering exceptional value, our THC and CBD tinctures are crafted with the ultimate in care and consideration. Whether you’re just beginning your exploration of the world of cannabis or are a seasoned consumer, our knowledgeable team can guide you towards the products that best suit your preferences. Explore the best in tinctures and other cannabis products by visiting the Canna Provisions dispensaries in Lee and Holyoke (coming soon!) today.
I’ve read so much excellent info on this site! But one question I have that I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned is: how much “product” should I use if I want to infuse it with a regular size mason jar of grain alcohol? Thanks!