Cannabis Tinctures

What are Cannabis Tinctures?

Cannabis tinctures are arguably one of the most underrated products in the marijuana industry. Basically, cannabis tinctures are a form of alcohol-based marijuana extract or, to keep things simple, weed-infused alcohol. While they are similar, cannabis tinctures are not the same thing as cannabis oils. This is because tinctures use alcohol as both a solvent and as a final ingredient, whereas oils are not supposed to contain any alcohol in the final product. In addition to cannabis compounds, tinctures might also contain a secondary ingredient known as a “carrier oil.” Carrier oils such as MCT or coconut oil literally help “carry” the THC and other cannabinoids through your bloodstream so you can reap the full benefits of your tincture. 

Tinctures offer an effective, smoke-free alternative for both medicinal and recreational users alike. While they may not be as popular today, cannabis tinctures were actually the most commonly used form of cannabis medicine prior to the criminalization of cannabis in the early 20th century. Tinctures are just as effective and often much easier to use compared to other methods of cannabis consumption. Best of all, you can even make them yourself! Don’t worry, we’ll show you how below.  Cannabis tinctures can come in many different forms in order to meet a wide variety of consumer needs. Tinctures are available in both THC and CBD-only formulations, but only tinctures containing THC will have any psychoactive effects. There are also many tinctures that contain varying combinations of THC and CBD together. The most common are tinctures with perfect 1:1 ratios of each compound, but you can easily find ones containing more of one than the other.

Cannabis THC Tinctures Positive Effects:

THC tinctures offer many positive effects due to their prominent psychoactive properties. However, the exact effects can vary greatly depending on which particular strain you choose as well as whether or not your tincture contains CBD. In general, THC tinctures offer many of the same effects that you would achieve from smoking unrefined flower. These include relaxation, euphoria, and all-around good vibes. Tinctures derived from indica strains tend to be more physically relaxing compared to the mental high associated with sativa. There are many more advantages of using cannabis tinctures, which we discuss more in-depth below.

Cannabis Tinctures Medical Benefits:

As with many cannabis products, tinctures have many valuable benefits for people with a number of various medical conditions. THC tinctures can offer relief from conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more. Tinctures are especially beneficial for patients who want to try cannabis as a treatment method but don’t wish to inhale cannabis smoke. They are also a valuable alternative treatment for patients who want to avoid the side effects of certain prescription medications.  While THC-only tinctures can offer many medical benefits, tinctures that contain both THC and CBD are potentially more medically effective.

Cannabis Tinctures Vs Marijuana Flowers: 

Cannabis tinctures are typically meant for ingestion and are not meant to be inhaled in the lungs.  Cannabis tinctures typically have a higher THC level than normal marijuana buds and are therefore more potent. However, this is not always the case as THC levels could be lower if mixed with other diluents. For some people, using tinctures has many distinct advantages over smoking marijuana flowers. For example, tinctures are usually odorless, and this makes them a far more discreet way to consume cannabis. In addition, tinctures allow you to avoid any of the negative effects smoke inhalation may have on your health.

Marijuana Tinctures Vs Other Cannabis Concentrates:

Normally other cannabis concentrates have higher concentrations of THC, but it can vary as there are many variables that come into play.

THC Tinctures Vs Weed Edibles:

Cannabis tinctures and weed edibles can have a lot in common if both ingested and at similar THC levels. However, cannabis tinctures can have several advantages over cannabis edibles. The effects of edibles can take over an hour to kick in, whereas cannabis tinctures can have you feeling the effects within minutes. Cannabis tinctures also allow you to consume far less calories than edibles while still getting to enjoy a very similar experience.

How to Make the Best Cannabis Tinctures?

Making your own cannabis tinctures is a simple process that can also be a whole lot of fun, as long as you have the proper equipment and ingredients. Here’s how to make your own DIY tincture:  Before you can start making your tincture, you first have to decarboxylate your cannabis. Decarbing your weed properly is critical to achieving an effective, high-quality tincture. We won’t go into the decarb process in-depth, but click here for an easy guide to decarbing your weed.  Once you’ve decarbed your cannabis flower, grind up your weed before combining it with ethyl alcohol (Ethanol) in a glass jar. If necessary, you can also use an equal amount of food-grade glycerin instead of alcohol. Secure the lid on your jar, and shake vigorously for about an hour.

**Important- make sure you use good quality ethanol from a known source to avoid using dangerous alcohol possibilities. Next, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or other strainer, and pour into a dropper bottle or other container. Just like that, you’ve got yourself a tincture!  There are many other methods and steps you can take in order to make your tincture more potent, and you can learn more about these methods by clicking here.

Alongside topicals, cannabis tinctures are one of the easiest cannabis products to store due to their incredibly long shelf life. If stored properly, cannabis tinctures can stay stable for more than a year without losing a great amount of their potency or flavor. This is due to the presence of alcohol which makes the tincture incredibly stable. In order to best preserve your tincture, all you have to do is store it in a cool, dark area. Both excessive light and inadequate temperatures can quickly degrade the compounds in your tincture. If necessary, you can keep your tincture in a UV-protected container to avoid light damage. It’s also important to keep your tincture in an air-tight container to prevent any contamination.

As with most cannabis products, dry mouth and dry eyes are very common, so staying well hydrated will help to minimize the effects. Also, make sure you take cannabis oil in moderation, as excess doses could possibly lead to paranoia, nausea, dizziness and anxiety. Luckily, cannabis is extremely low in toxicity, meaning you are highly unlikely to require any medical attention if any side effects do occur. Another important note is that both CBD and THC can interact with certain prescription medications, occasionally resulting in adverse effects. Always check with your doctor prior to using THC or CBD tinctures.