mrkt-creative
- Jun 15, 2022
- 5 min read

How to Make Cannabis Tincture

When you visit a cannabis dispensary, one of the many products you usually see on the shelves is tinctures (cannabis). These medicine-looking cannabis infusions have been around for many years. You can take them sublingually, add them to food, or apply them directly to your skin. Fortunately, you can make these infusions at home using our simple tincture recipe.

What are Cannabis Tinctures?

Tinctures are herbal extracts infused in a solvent, usually grain alcohol, vodka, or brandy. These products are designed to be consumed orally or sublingually as medication or treatment for an ailment. They are not meant to be smoked or vaporized.

When you soak decarboxylated cannabis flowers in a solvent, glycerin, or oil, the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active compounds separate from the plant material and mix with the base liquid. Using a strainer or coffee filter, you can separate the tincture from the plant material. Place the tincture in a jar or a glass bottle and close the lid. As long as you are patient, you can make tinctures at home anytime in a few hours or days, depending on how potent you want them to be.

Tinctures are technically alcohol-based liquids. However, it also serves as an umbrella term for glycerin and oil infusions placed in dropper bottles. Hence, many manufacturers label their cannabis oil infusions as tinctures when they package them in tincture bottles.

In the cannabis market, tinctures are packaged in 1 oz. or 30 ml glass bottles. These glass bottles come with 1 ml droppers to help administer the tinctures in consistent doses. Since tinctures are not food items, they may contain more than 100 mg of THC per 30 ml bottle.

Tinctures may not be as delicious as our all-natural gummies or as potent as concentrates, but they offer a variety of benefits to the user. You can use them discreetly and still get the desired high without grabbing too much attention.

CBD Oils Vs. Cannabis Tinctures

CBD oil is made by isolating CBD from hemp and infusing it into a carrier oil, such as MCT oil, olive oil, or hemp seed oil. CBD oils are often sold in medical marijuana dispensaries and wellness stores. They resemble tinctures in many aspects, but the two have significant differences.

Tinctures are made by extracting all compounds from the whole cannabis flower using high-proof grain alcohol. These alcohol-based extracts can be taken sublingually or added to foods and beverages.

Tinctures Vs. Edibles

Tinctures and cannabis edibles (gummies, chocolate, brownies, etc.) can be ingested. They pass through the body via the digestive system before being metabolized by the liver and transmitted through the bloodstream. This process can take as quickly as 45 minutes or as long as two hours, but the effect is more potent than when the cannabinoids are inhaled or taken sublingually.

However, tinctures can produce almost immediate effects when taken sublingually. When you place a few drops of the tincture under the tongue, the membranes absorb and transmit the cannabinoids directly to the bloodstream in a few minutes. While the effect may not be as strong, you can enjoy the effects of the cannabinoids reasonably quickly.

How to Make Cannabis Tincture using Grain Alcohol

You do not need to take lessons from Professor Snape to make your tinctures. There is a straightforward way to create one. Watch this video sponsored by ILLICIT, and you can now start making your own at home.

Watch more videos and learn more through our Cosmic Seed Creative Cooking Series.

Cannabis Tincture Recipe

You Need:

1/4 ounce decarb Flower

3/4 Cup 151 proof Everclear (Grain Alcohol)

Strain: Lemon Tree Punch

Equipment: Magical Butter Machine

Instructions:

Put Flower into Everclear and place it into the Magical Butter Machine.
Cook for 8 hours. Strain out the flowers and store in a dark place or freeze for up to 1 year.

You can use this recipe if you do not like butter or oil alternatives. As you can see, it only takes a few ingredients to make tinctures. You may replace the cannabis strain with your favorite. We recommend that you try the Strawberry Float strain.

The Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures

Tinctures may not be as flashy as other methods of consumption, but they remain a popular product of choice because they are easy to consume and provide various benefits. You will most likely find tinctures when you visit physical and online dispensaries. Here are some of the best benefits of using tinctures:

Safe Ingredients

There are no fancy ingredients needed to make tinctures. You only need a cannabis flower and the base liquid. Hence, it does not contain any aggravating compounds or allergens. Although some brands add terpenes for flavor, no unhealthy additives, such as sugar, gelatin, or gluten, are needed.

Easy to Dose

Tinctures come in 30 ml bottles with 1 ml droppers for easy dosing. You can choose the potency of the tinctures you buy based on your THC or CBD tolerance. Unlike edibles, you are less likely to over consume tinctures. Always take extra care with dosing.

Full-spectrum Extract

When you make tinctures, you involve the entire cannabis flower. Hence, you get all the active compounds, including CBD, THC, terpenes, etc. Therefore, you benefit from the entourage effect, which means that all the compounds work together to enhance each other’s potentially beneficial effects.

Fast-acting Product

When you take tinctures sublingually, you will feel the effects almost instantly compared to edibles. Since the compounds pass through the membranes under the tongue and directly to the bloodstream, you can benefit from the relaxing or energizing effect of the tincture in a matter of minutes. It may not be as fast as smoking or vaping, but it offers a healthier consumption option.

Discreet

Tinctures look like ordinary medicine or supplements consumed for health reasons. It does not have a strong odor that will fill a room. Therefore, you can take it anytime without attracting attention. It is an excellent alternative to smoking, vaping, or eating weed.

Related Topic: The Benefits of CBD Pre-rolls

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will tinctures take to kick in?

When taken sublingually, tinctures take around 15 to 30 minutes to reach peak effect. You only need to place a few drops under the tongue and let it sit for about 30 seconds to a minute. When you swallow the tincture directly, it may take longer, from 30 minutes to an hour. The same onset of effects happens when you add tinctures to foods and beverages and ingest them.

Can I cook with tinctures?

It depends. The THC and CBD in tinctures have already been decarboxylated. Exposing the tinctures to high heat may lessen their potency. Hence, adding them to foods and drinks that do not require intense heat during preparation is best. Or, you can add the tincture to already cooked dishes.

Can I apply tinctures to the skin?

You may apply tinctures directly on the skin. However, it is best to use cannabis oil tinctures for topical use. Try using it on a small skin area and see how your body reacts first. Using alcohol-based tinctures may not be suitable for all skin types.