Cannabis Tinctures 101: What is a THC Tincture?

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For nearly 200 years, people have turned to cannabis tinctures for medicinal and recreational purposes. Today, weed tinctures offer an easy, flexible way to consume cannabis, and you can even make them at home.

Below, learn how to make cannabis tinctures, how to use them, and the potential benefits and drawbacks.

A cannabis tincture is a liquid extract made by soaking cannabis flowers in high-proof alcohol or glycerin which extracts the plant's active compounds. Weed tinctures contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes and other beneficial plant compounds.

You can consume cannabis tinctures sublingually by placing a few drops under your tongue or adding them to food or beverages. Medical cannabis patients often use weed tinctures to potentially alleviate a variety of medical conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and nausea. Recreational consumers also reach for weed tinctures because they provide a precise and consistent dose that can be adjusted based on individual needs.

Tinctures offer a discreet and convenient way to consume cannabis without smoking or inhaling.

Explore the ways you can use weed tinctures, listed from most to least common:

When using THC tinctures, it's recommended to start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase as needed to find the optimal dosage for your needs. A one-ounce tincture bottle typically has a dropper that can dose up to one milliliter (mL) of tincture at a time.

If you're trying THC tinctures for the first time, opt for a 1-ounce bottle with 100 milligrams of THC total to make a mild dose easier to administer.

The following dosing chart provides an approximate guide based on the total amount of THC per 1-ounce bottle:

Cannabis tinctures have provided an easy dosing mechanism and medicinal benefits for nearly 200 years.

There are several potential benefits and drawbacks to making cannabis tinctures at home.

You don't need a lot of materials to make a weed tincture at home, but you do need time — at least a few weeks of steeping — before your tincture is ready for consumption.

Follow this basic cannabis tincture recipe to get started.

Decarboxylation is a chemical process that converts certain cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), into their active forms, THC and CBD.

It's essential to do this process first if you want your weed tincture to have psychoactive or intoxicating effects. To decarboxylate or "decarb" your weed, preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes.

Once your cannabis is decarboxylated, place it in a Mason jar. Pour high-proof ethyl alcohol over the cannabis, filling the jar until the cannabis is completely submerged—approximately 1 - 2 fluid ounces (30 - 60 milliliters). The potency of the tincture will be affected by the amount of alcohol used. Using less alcohol will result in a more concentrated tincture while using more alcohol will result in a less concentrated tincture.

Close the mason jar tightly and shake it to mix the cannabis and alcohol.

Store the mason jar in a cool, dark place for a minimum of three weeks, shaking it once a day. This allows the alcohol to extract the cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds from the cannabis. Let the weed infuse for longer for a more potent tincture.

After a few weeks, strain the liquid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a measuring cup. Squeeze the filter or cheesecloth to extract all of the liquid. Transfer the liquid to your dropper bottle or tincture bottle.

Store the tincture in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and heat. If stored properly, it should last for a year or more.

Alcohol-based weed tinctures, also known as green dragon tinctures, are the most common type of THC tincture to make at home. However, if you would prefer to make alcohol-free cannabis tinctures, you have a few different options for solvents.

Consider these tips when making weed tinctures at home:

When consuming tinctures, the effects can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the potency of the tincture, your tolerance, and whether you consume them sublingually or incorporate them into food and beverages.

However, in general, tinctures can produce stronger and longer-lasting effects compared to smoking or vaping cannabis since your liver converts delta-9-THC (the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis) into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is a more potent and longer-lasting psychoactive compound.

It's important for you to start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you find your desired level of effects. It's also important for you to be aware of the potency of the tincture you are using and to follow the instructions carefully to avoid taking too much.

Tinctures and edibles are both forms of cannabis concentrates that work differently in terms of their onset time and duration of effects.

You can feel the effects of a tincture within 15 - 45 minutes, depending on the potency of the tincture and your metabolism.

For the quickest onset of effects, administer the tincture sublingually, or under your tongue. Hold the tincture there for 30 - 60 seconds, allowing your tongue's capillaries to absorb the cannabinoids, before swallowing. By absorbing the cannabinoids directly into your bloodstream and bypassing your digestive system, you can feel the effects of your tincture in as little as 15 minutes.

When taking a tincture, it's generally recommended to hold it under your tongue for at least 30 - 60 seconds before swallowing. Some people prefer to hold the tincture in their mouth for longer, up to several minutes, to allow for greater absorption of cannabinoids.

After holding the tincture under your tongue, swallow it, and the remaining cannabinoids will be absorbed through your digestive system.

Yes, tinctures are a product of the starting material, so they can be made from both sativa and indica strains of cannabis, as well as hybrid strains. However, it's important to note that labels like "sativa" and "indica" have more to do with plant structure rather than effects. The effects of a tincture will depend on the specific strain of cannabis used to make it, as well as the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of the plant material.

When making a weed tincture, select a strain of flower you know you like, or smoke or vape some of your home-grown flower first to know how it will affect you. When purchasing a weed tincture, look for information about the strain of cannabis used to make it, as well as the cannabinoid and terpene profile listed on the certificate of analysis (COA). This can help you to choose a tincture that will produce the effects you're looking for.

CBD tinctures and CBD oils are both popular methods of consuming CBD, but they have some differences in terms of formulation, ingredients, and taste.

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Reviewed by Tony Daniels on 6/5/23