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Tinctures are a popular way to consume cannabis, especially for those who are new to using cannabis or looking for an alternative to smoking. This guide will teach you how to use cannabis tinctures, including how to make your own.
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Introduction to Cannabis Tinctures
Like other cannabis products, tinctures offer a wide range of benefits. Tinctures are a fast-acting and discreet way to consume cannabis. They can also be used to make your own topical products. In this guide, we will go over how to use cannabis tinctures.
What is a Tincture?
A tincture is an alcohol-based extract of the cannabis plant. The alcohol is used to extract the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active compounds from the plant.Tinctures are typically administered by dropping the desired amount under the tongue (sublingually) or into another beverage (such as coffee or tea). This allows for quick and easy absorption into the bloodstream, providing users with fast-acting relief. Tinctures can also be added to food or used topically.
The concentration of cannabinoids in a tincture can vary depending on the ratio of cannabis to alcohol used during extraction. Generally, tinctures are more potent than other cannabis products such as edibles or topicals because of the higher concentration of cannabinoids.
There are many different ways to make a tincture, but they all involve using a solvent (such as alcohol) to extract cannabinoids from the plant material. The most common solvents used for this purpose are ethanol and isopropyl alcohol.Once the cannabinoids have been extracted, they are mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. This helps to increase the absorption rate of the tincture when it is taken sublingually.
Tinctures can be made with fresh or dried cannabis flowers, or with trim (the leaves and stems of the plant). The type of cannabis you use will affect the final potency and effects of your tincture. For example, if you use high-THC cannabis strains, your tincture will likely be more potent than if you use low-THC strains. The same is true for CBD-rich strains versus THC-rich strains.
It is important to note that people who are new to cannabis should start with a low potency tincture and increase their dosage slowly over time as needed. This will help them avoid any negative side effects such as anxiety or dizziness that can occur at higher doses..
The History of Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures are one of the oldest forms of cannabis medicine. Historically, tinctures were used as a potent way to deliver herbal medicines to the body. They date back to Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures where they were commonly used for pain relief, relaxation, and even as a means of intoxication.
In more recent history, cannabis tinctures were a popular form of medicine in the United States prior to the enactment of prohibition in 1937. At that time, there were over 2,000 different tinctures on the market that were used to treat everything from anxiety to insomnia. After prohibition was enacted, tinctures fell out of popularity in the United States. However, they remained common in other countries where cannabis was still used medicinally.
Tinctures began making a comeback in the United States in the early 2000s as more states began legalizing cannabis for medicinal use. Today, they are once again a popular form of cannabis medicine thanks to their ease of use, portability, and accurate dosing.
The Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures are a great way to consume cannabis without smoking it. Tinctures are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. You can add them to food or drinks, use them topically, or even use them to make your own edibles. Cannabis tinctures are also a great way to get a potent dose of cannabis without having to smoke a lot of it.
Tinctures are Fast-Acting
Tinctures are a fast and effective way to consume cannabis. They are absorbed sublingually, which means they are absorbed through the mucous membranes in your mouth. This process bypasses the digestive system, so the effects of tinctures can be felt within minutes.
Tinctures are also very versatile. They can be added to food or drink, or taken directly under the tongue. And because they are concentrated, a little goes a long way. Tinctures are usually sold in small bottles with droppers, so it is easy to control how much you use.
Tinctures are Easy to Dose
Cannabis tinctures offer a convenient and easy way to dose cannabinoids, especially for those who are not accustomed to using cannabis. Tinctures provide an accurate dose, so patients know exactly how much they are taking. This is especially important for those who are new to cannabis or are using it for medicinal purposes. Because tinctures are so easy to use, they are also a good choice for those who want to avoid smoking or vaporizing cannabis.
Tinctures are Discreet
Cannabis tinctures are one of the most discreet ways to consume cannabis. They can be easily concealed and transported, making them a good choice for those who need to be discrete. Tinctures are also easy to dose, so you can control how much cannabis you consume.
Tinctures Have a Long Shelf-Life
Cannabis tinctures offer a long shelf-life when stored in a cool, dark place. Unlike cannabis edibles, which can degradation in quality over time, tinctures can last for years. This makes them perfect for stocking up or for those who want to be prepared for any situation.
Tinctures also offer a more consistent experience than smoking or vaping, as the THC is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the mouth. This means that there is no need to wait for the digestive system to break down the THC (as is the case with edibles) and that the effects will be felt more quickly.
How to Use a Cannabis Tincture
Cannabis tinctures are a great way to consume cannabis. They are easy to make and easy to use. Tinctures are also a great way to get the most out of your cannabis. In this article, we will show you how to use a cannabis tincture .
Step One: Gather Your Materials
To use a cannabis tincture, you will need the following materials:
-Tincture bottle with dropper
-Cannabis tincture
-Paper towel
-Timer
Step Two: Place the paper towel on a flat surface. Place the tincture bottle on the paper towel.
Step Three: Open the tincture bottle.
Step Four: Using the dropper, dispense one full dropper of tincture onto the paper towel.
Step Five: Using the other end of the dropper, mix the tincture with the paper towel until it is fully absorbed.
Step Six: Place the timer next to you and start it for one minute.
Step Seven: Using the dropper, place one full dropper of tincture under your tongue.
Step Eight: Do not swallow for one minute. After one minute, you may swallow.
Step Two: Fill Your Tincture Bottle
Fill the included glass tincture bottle with your preferred oil. You can use any type of cooking oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Fill the bottle to the shoulder with oil, then screw on the dropper lid. Be sure not to overfill the bottle, as you’ll need to leave room for the cannabis-infused oil.
Step Three: Label Your Bottle
Make sure to put the date that you made the tincture on the label, as well as the estimated THC percentage. After a few weeks, THC degrades and changes into CBN (which has different effects). You might want to make a note of how many drops are in each full pipette so you know how potent each dose is.
Step Four: Store Your Tincture
Now that your tincture is complete, it needs to be stored in a cool, dark place. Storing it in the fridge is ideal, but a dark cupboard will also work. Just make sure to keep it away from any heat sources or direct sunlight, as this can cause the cannabinoids to degrade.
Tinctures will generally stay potent for up to two years, but they can start to lose their strength after that. If you find that your tincture isn’t as potent as it used to be, you can try adding more cannabis extract or alcohol, or you can simply make a new batch.
How to Make a Cannabis Tincture
Tinctures are a great way to consume cannabis without smoking it. They are also very easy to make! All you need is some cannabis, high-proof alcohol, and a mason jar.
Step One: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
To make a highly effective and potent cannabis tincture, you need to decarboxylate, or activate, your dried cannabis first. Placing your weed in an oven set to 240°F/115°C for 25 minutes will do the trick.
You need to do this because fresh, raw cannabis contains THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), which is non-psychoactive. By heating it up, you convert the THCA into THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the compound that gets you high. If you don’t want to get high from your tincture, you can skip this step.
Step Two: Infuse Your Tincture
After decarboxylating your weed, now it’s time to infuse it into alcohol. You should use a high-proof spirit like vodka or everclear for this process—the higher the proof of the alcohol, the more effective it will be at extracting cannabinoids from cannabis. However, using a strong alcohol will also result in a more potent tincture, so be sure to start with a lower dose if you’re not sure how much THC or CBD you can handle.
Step Two: Choose Your Solvent
Not all solvents are created equal. Some are considerably more effective at pulling the cannabinoids out of the plant material and some are considerably more safe. For instance, naphtha is an extremely effective solvent but it is also a known carcinogen so we do not recommend using it. The most common solvents used for making cannabis tinctures are Everclear, food grade glycerin, and high proof vodka. All three of these solvents will do an adequate job of extracting the cannabinoids from your starting material.
If you can only find 190 proof Everclear (95% alcohol), that will work just fine. If you want to use glycerin, make sure that it is food grade. You can usually find this type of glycerin at health food stores or online. Vodka that is 80 proof (40% alcohol) or higher will also work for making tinctures.
Step Three: Combine Your Cannabis and Solvent
Now that your cannabis is ground up and your alcohol of choice is measured out, it’s time to combine the two. The best way to do this is to mix them together in a jar and then seal it tightly. Give the jar a good shake so that the cannabis is fully submerged in the alcohol.
Step Four: Filter Your Tincture
Now it’s time to give your tincture a good strain. You can use cheesecloth, coffee filters, or even just a clean handkerchief. Whatever you use, make sure it’s clean and lint-free. Place your strainer over a bowl and pour the tincture through it. Be patient – this may take a few minutes. Once your tincture is strained, it’s ready to use!
Step Five: Store Your Tincture
Once you have made your tincture, it is important to store it in a cool, dark place. Light and heat can degrade the quality of your tincture over time. Many people like to store their tinctures in amber glass bottles with dropper tops for easy use. You can also keep your tincture in a mason jar in a dark cupboard. Be sure to label your tincture so you remember what it is and when you made it.
