Cannabis Tinctures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to smoking, cannabis consumers have a wide range of consumption options. In this post, we will focus on cannabis tinctures.

Cannabis tinctures provide an ideal solution for individuals who want to dose their cannabis consumption accurately and without smoking. These tinctures are characterized by their low calorie content, rapid onset of effects, and discreet and straightforward use.

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What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
Cannabis tinctures, also known as the "Green Dragon," represent a form of marijuana concentrate obtained by mixing alcohol with cannabis and are available in glass bottles with a dropper cap.
For many years, these extracts were widely used worldwide as the predominant form of medical marijuana. They were even listed in pharmacopoeias until cannabis prohibition was imposed in the United States in 1942, Australia in 1977, and the United Kingdom in 1970. Before the ban, cannabis tinctures were considered the primary method of medical cannabis application.
For newcomers who want to use the extract solely for medical purposes, tinctures are an excellent choice. They allow for the selection of high CBD concentrations with little or no THC content. Additionally, they are ideal for individuals who wish to consume marijuana but do not want to smoke it.

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Why Cannabis Tinctures?
Cannabis tinctures offer several advantages:

• Discretion: Cannabis tinctures allow for a discreet, odorless, and hassle-free way to consume cannabinoids in your daily life. Instead of smoking or vaping in public, all you need to do is take a few drops of tincture under your tongue. For maximum discretion, you can even mix tincture into your coffee or juice before leaving the house, without needing to provide explanations.

• Faster and More Effective Tinctures offer the option of oral or sublingual consumption. Oral ingestion, where the drops are swallowed, results in a delayed but long-lasting effect of cannabis. Sublingual consumption, where the tincture is placed under the tongue, allows cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream directly, leading to an almost immediate effect.

• Precise Dosage: Compared to smoking or consuming edible cannabis products, tinctures provide a precise dosing option. With millimeter markings on the dropper and knowledge of the original bottle content, you can accurately dose the desired amount of THC or CBD with each use.

• Ease of Production: In addition to the mentioned benefits, homemade cannabis tinctures are straightforward to make. All you need to do is fill a jar with cannabis flowers, cover them with a solvent, and wait for a few weeks.

How Are Cannabis Tinctures Made?
Similar to most cannabis oils, tinctures use a solvent, in this case, alcohol, to extract terpenes and cannabinoids like CBD or THC from the remaining plant material. The significant difference is that the solvent remains in tinctures as part of the final product, whereas it needs to be filtered out for other concentrates intended for inhalation.

For this reason, tinctures, unlike other concentrates, can be considered edible products. This edibility requires prior decarboxylation of cannabis to activate all compounds in the plant before it can be ingested. Decarboxylation is crucial as it activates the plant's compounds, unlocking their full potential. Skipping this step can result in a weak or even ineffective tincture.

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Ingredients and Tools
To create your homemade cannabis tincture, you'll need a few simple tools and ingredients. Don't worry, these are all items you can find at home or at a store near you.
 

• 5 grams of decarboxylated marijuana buds > Calculating the THC Concentration of a Cannabis Tincture

• 80 ml High-proof alcohol

• A grinder

• 1 straining cloth

• 1 mason jar

• 1 funnel

• Glass dropper bottles

• A cup or glass

• Gloves

If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can replace it with glycerin, a plant-based oil. However, since glycerin doesn't bind as well with cannabis components, the results may be less potent.

A middle-ground option is to make a tincture using a combination of alcohol and glycerin to enhance bioavailability. In this method, most of the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a tincture with a predominant amount of glycerin.

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Guide to Making Cannabis Tincture

• Start by placing the ground and decarboxylated cannabis buds into the glass jar. Then, fill the jar with your choice of high-proof alcohol until the cannabis is completely covered.

• Now, patience is key as the jar should sit for a minimum of 10 days, up to 2 weeks, to allow the components to slowly separate from each other. The longer you let it sit, the stronger it will become. As a recommendation: place the jar with the alcohol-cannabis mixture in the freezer for 1 to 2 weeks and shake it once daily. This step is facilitated by the cold in the freezer, as it helps effectively separate undesirable plant components, such as chlorophyll.

• Once the components are fully separated, strain them through a cloth or sieve into a cup or glass. If the liquid no longer flows freely through the filter cloth, you can gently press the remaining liquid through the filter cloth with gloves.

• After successful straining, use a funnel to pour the tincture into glass dropper bottles and store it in a cool, dark place. Exposure to air, light, and heat can compromise the quality and potency of the product. When stored correctly, tinctures can remain viable for several years.

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Methods of Use

The impact and the time it takes for tinctures to take effect can significantly vary depending on the chosen method of application. Tinctures can be used in three different ways: sublingually, orally, or by adding them to meals or drinks.

• Sublingual

When you take tinctures sublingually, placing a few drops under your tongue for about 30 seconds, absorption occurs through the bloodstream. This results in the effect starting within approximately 10 to 15 minutes, similar to smoking or vaping.

• Oral or as Infusion

When you consume your tincture orally or prepare it as an infusion, absorption happens through the digestive tract, causing it to take approximately 2 to 3 hours for the effect to kick in, similar to edible products.

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Calculating the Correct Dosage of Cannabis Tincture
Consistency is crucial when making tinctures. It's advisable to document the quantities of alcohol and cannabis used for each batch to replicate the recipe when necessary.
Dosage is straightforward and can be determined through experimentation. Start with 1 milliliter, and if you're satisfied with the effect, that's your ideal dose.
If 1 milliliter isn't sufficient, cautiously increase the dose to avoid overconsumption, which could negatively impact your experience. Gradually raise the amount to 2 milliliters the next time and monitor the effect. If it's still not enough, add another milliliter incrementally until you find your personal optimal quantity.

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The Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures
The primary advantages of cannabis tinctures include their low calorie content, unlike marijuana oils or other edibles like brownies and cookies, with only about 7 calories per milliliter.
Furthermore, tinctures are known for their fast onset of effects and the ability to create them with various THC/CBD combinations. If you prefer a balanced blend, you can opt for the classic 1:1 ratio. However, if your intention is solely for medicinal use, you can use strains with only CBD or choose THC, depending on your needs.
Another significant advantage of tinctures is their discretion. Smoking a joint not only produces an unpleasant odor but also takes several minutes.
In contrast, taking a few drops of cannabis tincture only takes seconds, and anyone unaware of your actions will remain oblivious to it.

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Conclusion
The world of marijuana is incredibly diverse, offering a wide range of products and consumption methods suitable for people around the globe. From joints to edibles, concentrates, oils, and tinctures, everyone can choose the method that suits their preferences, whether for recreational or medical purposes.

Tinctures are particularly suitable for those seeking a fast and potent effect within minutes. They also provide an appealing option for individuals who wish to avoid smoking or are simply curious about new consumption methods.

Why not try making your own cannabis tinctures at home and remember to document your experiences!

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