Understanding Cannabis Tinctures
Tinctures are concentrated liquid cannabis extracts made by dissolving cannabinoids and terpenes in alcohol, oil, or glycerin. They're administered with droppers for precise dosing and can be used sublingually (under the tongue) or added to food and drinks.
Precise Dosing
Easy to measure exact doses with graduated droppers and consistent potency
Fast Absorption
Sublingual use bypasses digestive system for quicker onset
Long Shelf Life
Stable formulations can last 1-2 years when stored properly
Types of Cannabis Tinctures
THC Tinctures
2.5-100mg per dropperPsychoactive, euphoric, pain relief
Base: MCT oil, ethanol, glycerin
Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual), 30-90 min (swallowed)
Duration: 2-6 hours
CBD Tinctures
5-200mg per dropperNon-psychoactive, calming, anti-inflammatory
Base: MCT oil, hemp oil, ethanol
Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual), 30-90 min (swallowed)
Duration: 4-6 hours
1:1 THC:CBD
2.5-50mg each per dropperBalanced, reduced anxiety, synergistic
Base: MCT oil, ethanol
Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual), 30-90 min (swallowed)
Duration: 3-6 hours
High-CBD (20:1)
100mg CBD: 5mg THC per dropperTherapeutic without impairment
Base: MCT oil, hemp oil
Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual), 30-90 min (swallowed)
Duration: 4-8 hours
Full-Spectrum
Variable cannabinoid profileEntourage effect, whole plant benefits
Base: Ethanol, CO2 oil
Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual), 30-90 min (swallowed)
Duration: 4-6 hours
Sleep Blends
10-50mg THC + melatonin/CBNSedating, sleep-promoting
Base: MCT oil with added compounds
Onset: 30-60 minutes
Duration: 6-8 hours
How to Use Cannabis Tinctures
Sublingual Method (Recommended)
- Shake bottle gently before use
- Measure desired dose with dropper
- Place drops under tongue
- Hold for 30-60 seconds without swallowing
- Swallow remaining liquid
- Wait 15-45 minutes for full effects
Why sublingual? Rich blood supply under tongue allows direct absorption into bloodstream, bypassing liver metabolism.
Oral Ingestion
- • Add to food, drinks, or smoothies
- • Mix into yogurt or oatmeal
- • Take directly and swallow immediately
- • Onset: 30-90 minutes (like edibles)
- • Duration: 4-8 hours (longer than sublingual)
- • Effects may be stronger due to liver processing
Note: When swallowed, tinctures act like edibles with slower onset but longer duration.
Dosing Guidelines for Tinctures
🔬 Tincture Dosing Formula
Most droppers hold ~1ml. If a 30ml bottle contains 300mg THC, each full dropper = ~10mg THC. Start with 1/4 dropper (2.5mg) and adjust based on effects.
Beginner (0-2.5mg)
- • Start with 1/4 dropper or less
- • Wait 45-90 minutes before more
- • Focus on CBD-dominant ratios
- • Keep a dosing journal
Intermediate (2.5-10mg)
- • 1/4 to full dropper depending on product
- • Can experiment with different ratios
- • Consider time of day for dosing
- • Note individual sensitivity
Advanced (10mg+)
- • Multiple droppers or high-potency products
- • Can stack doses throughout day
- • May prefer sublingual for control
- • Monitor for tolerance buildup
⚠️ Important Reminders
- • Effects can take 15-90 minutes depending on method
- • Don't redose too quickly - this leads to overconsumption
- • Individual tolerance varies significantly
- • Food, medications, and body chemistry affect absorption
- • When in doubt, start smaller and work up gradually
Carrier Oils & Extraction Methods
The carrier oil or solvent affects absorption, taste, shelf life, and overall experience:
MCT Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides)
Source: Coconut/palm kernel oil
Benefits: Rapid absorption, neutral taste, stable
Drawbacks: Can cause digestive upset in large doses
Best For: Most tinctures, especially for sublingual use
Hemp Seed Oil
Source: Hemp seeds (non-psychoactive)
Benefits: Omega fatty acids, natural cannabis flavor
Drawbacks: Can turn rancid faster, stronger taste
Best For: Full-spectrum products, nutritional benefits
Olive Oil
Source: Olives
Benefits: Stable, widely available, traditional
Drawbacks: Strong flavor, not ideal for sublingual
Best For: Cooking applications, long-term storage
Ethanol (Grain Alcohol)
Source: Food-grade alcohol
Benefits: Superior extraction, long shelf life, fast absorption
Drawbacks: Alcohol taste, not suitable for all users
Best For: High-potency extracts, sublingual delivery
Vegetable Glycerin
Source: Plant-based glycerin
Benefits: Sweet taste, thick consistency, alcohol-free
Drawbacks: Less efficient extraction, can separate
Best For: Alcohol-sensitive users, sweet preparations
Making Cannabis Tinctures at Home
While commercial tinctures offer consistency and testing, you can make tinctures at home using decarboxylated cannabis and various extraction methods:
Alcohol Method (Traditional)
- Decarboxylate cannabis (240°F for 40 min)
- Grind and place in jar with high-proof ethanol
- Shake daily for 2-4 weeks (or use heat for hours)
- Strain through cheesecloth and coffee filter
- Store in dark dropper bottles
Oil Infusion Method
- Decarboxylate cannabis material
- Combine with MCT oil in slow cooker
- Heat on low (160-200°F) for 4-6 hours
- Stir occasionally, don't let it boil
- Strain and store in dropper bottles
💡 Dosing Homemade Tinctures
Calculate potency: (Grams of cannabis × THC% × 1000 × 0.88 decarb efficiency) ÷ ml of finished tincture = mg THC per ml. Start with very small amounts and test potency carefully.
Storage & Shelf Life
Proper storage preserves potency and prevents contamination:
Temperature
Store in cool, dark place. Refrigeration can extend shelf life but may cause cloudiness.
Light Protection
Dark amber or cobalt bottles protect from UV degradation. Avoid clear glass.
Air Exposure
Keep bottles tightly sealed. Oxidation degrades cannabinoids over time.
Contamination
Don't touch dropper to mouth or other surfaces. Keep bottles clean.
Expected Shelf Life:
- • Alcohol-based: 3-5 years properly stored
- • Oil-based: 1-2 years (check for rancidity)
- • Glycerin-based: 1-2 years
- • Signs of degradation: Color change, separation, off odors
- • Potency loss: Gradual decrease over time, especially if improperly stored
Medical Applications & Benefits
Tinctures are popular among medical cannabis patients for their precise dosing and flexibility:
Medical Advantages
- • Precise dose control for symptom management
- • Fast onset for acute symptoms (sublingual)
- • Long duration for chronic conditions (oral)
- • No respiratory irritation
- • Easy to titrate doses up or down
- • Can be mixed with other medications (with doctor approval)
Common Medical Uses
- • Chronic pain management
- • Anxiety and PTSD
- • Sleep disorders
- • Epilepsy and seizures (CBD)
- • Inflammation and autoimmune conditions
- • Nausea and appetite loss
- • Muscle spasms and spasticity
🏥 Medical Patient Tips
- • Keep a symptom and dosing diary to track effectiveness
- • Work with healthcare providers familiar with cannabis medicine
- • Consider CBD-dominant products to minimize impairment
- • Start low and increase gradually to find minimum effective dose
- • Time doses based on symptom patterns (preventive vs. reactive)
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