How to Make a Marijuana Tincture
In this article we focus on how to make a cannabis-infused tincture.
Tinctures come from a long history of herbal medicine. According to Dr. Jeffrey Chen, they’re one of the oldest forms of medicine known. During the 1800’s weed tinctures were sold over the counter in apothecaries. Marijuana was even included in the The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) until 1941!
So it’s no surprise that marijuana tinctures are widely known for their medicinal benefits and are regularly sought after to provide relief for ailments such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
What is a Marijuana Tincture
Cannabis tinctures are made by soaking the plant in alcohol to create a liquid concentrate that is much more potent and long-lasting than its preceding form.
A tincture is an excellent alternative to smokable marijuana flower because it has a long shelf life and may be more potent. It’s also a great option for those seeking relief without potentially damaging their lungs.
When you take a tincture sublingually, the onset will usually be anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes.
How to Use a Marijuana Tincture
Always stick to recommended doses when using a store-bought cannabis tincture – especially for the first time. These products can vary in potency.
Use a dropper when dosing your tincture, and be sure to apply the solution directly under your tongue.
You can also mix tinctures into your food or beverages. A study published in Epilepsia found that high-fat foods can increase CBD absorption into the body.
Regardless of how you choose to consume tinctures, you’ll find yourself satisfied by the results.
What Solvent is Best to Use for Marijuana Tinctures?
There are four common types of liquids that can be used to make cannabis tinctures, and each has its pros and cons.
Alcohol-based cannabis tincture
- Pros: Long shelf life, fast absorption rate
- Cons: Unpleasant taste, illegal in California, not accessible to those avoiding alcohol
Vegetable glycerine cannabis tincture
- Pros: Sweet, palatable taste
- Cons: Can’t hold as many phytocannabinoids, shorter shelf life, questionable sourcing
Medium-Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil cannabis tincture
- Pros: Easily absorbed, easier to dose, neutral taste
- Cons: Lacks lauric acid, sourcing can be questionable
Olive oil cannabis tincture
- Pros: Cost-effective, easy to use, preserves terpenes, better taste
- Cons: Cannot be concentrated so more is needed for therapeutic benefits
How to Make a Marijuana Tincture
While it’s fast and convenient to run into your local dispensary and buy a tincture, it’s also expensive. Plus, we all know that homemade items can often exceed anything store-bought.
Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own cannabis tincture at home:
- Cannabis flower (try something high in CBD like Charlotte’s Web
- A grinder
- High proof food-grade alcohol (like Everclear)
- A coffee filter
- An air-tight mason jar
- An oven
- A dropper (optional)
Steps
Follow these steps to make your marijuana tincture:
- 1.) Preheat the oven to 245 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2.) Grind your cannabis flower. You can use a grinder or use a cheese grater.
- 3.) Spread the ground marijuana on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 4.) Decarboxylate your cannabis flower by baking it for 60-90 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when your cannabis is dry and crumbly.
- 5.) Allow the cannabis to cool.
- 6.) Mix the marijuana with high-proof alcohol in a jar. You can choose the ratio depending on how strong you want your tincture but it’s recommended to use three parts alcohol to one part flower.
- 7.) Close the jar and place it in a cool, dark place and let sit for 2–3 weeks, shaking the container once or twice a day.
- 8.) Once ready, filter the tincture through a coffee filter and place it into another jar or a dropper bottle for easy use.
- 9.) Store the cannabis tincture in a cool, dark place and shake before using.
- 10.) Enjoy your marijuana tincture!
Remember to start low and go slow when testing your new tincture – a little may go a long way!
Now get out and get cooking! It’s easy to secure the necessary items to make a great at-home cannabis tincture, and there are numerous benefits to consuming the product.
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Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash
