Cannabis Tincture

When it comes to cannabis consumption, there’s no shortage of methods to choose from. While popular options include flower, vapes, edibles, etc., interest in cannabis tinctures is on the rise.

If you’re wondering exactly what cannabis tinctures are, here’s a quick definition: cannabis-infused extracts made with either alcohol, glycerin, or any plant-based oil. As far as onset time and length of effects go, cannabis tinctures generally sit in the middle between smoking/vaping and edibles. They tend to act within 15-30 minutes of ingestion and peak at about 90 minutes when used sublingually.

For some, cannabis tinctures will serve as a perfect entry point to the cannabis world. They’re also a great option for those who would prefer to have more dosage control when they use cannabis (no smoking required). A few more reasons tinctures are growing in popularity? They’re easy to store, consume and dose (oh by the way, they’re also rather discreet.)

Ready to learn more? Read on to explore the history of tinctures, how to make and use cannabis tinctures, how to choose the right product for you, and how to dose appropriately.

The history of tinctures, in general, dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt, when alcohol was first made via distillation. Egyptians discovered that they could preserve the medicinal properties of plants if they let them sit in alcohol for a number of weeks.

Over the years, pharmacists and physicians have prescribed tinctures to treat a wide range physical ailments. In the twentieth century, cannabis tinctures were available commercially, and apothecaries made their own as well—in fact, they were included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia until 1942 after a drastic law passed in 1937 made cannabis much more expensive to grow. Other pressures on the medicinal cannabis industry at the time, including pharmaceutical discoveries in painkillers and synthetic hypnotics, also contributed to the disappearance of medical cannabis tinctures as a basic medicine in the 20th century.

Ultimately, the legalization movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries made tinctures available to everyone who lives in an area where cannabis is legal.

<img src="data:;base64,” alt=”” aria-hidden=”true” />

When it comes to cannabis products, the key question to ask yourself is “THC, CBD or both?”

A little refresher:

• THC is the cannabis compound highly associated with the euphoric effects of cannabis.

• CBD is the less psychoactive compound that is more valued for its medicinal potential.

Cannabis tinctures can almost exclusively contain one or the other, and some contain a balanced mix of the two. As with any method of using cannabis, finding out what’s right for you typically takes some experimentation.

Ready to dive into these tincture categories? Read on for some insights.

A THC tincture is a cannabis extract that contains dominantly Tetrahydrocannabinol.

In the United States, any cannabis-derived tincture with more than 0.3% of THC contents can only be sold in states that have legalized cannabis, as THC consumption is considered to fall on the “adult use” side of the equation.  [Source] 

The percentage of THC on the tincture label will typically indicate how strong the THC effect will be once consumed.