A cannabis tincture is one of the handiest ways to consume THC. It’s just high-proof alcohol infused with cannabis, and you can take it under the tongue or stir it into a drink. Tinctures act fast, they’re easy to dose, and you can adjust the potency to taste. Best of all, once you’ve made a batch, you can drop it into just about anything. Here’s how to make your own at home.
Step 1: Decarboxylate your cannabis
First, activate the THC through decarboxylation, which just means heating the cannabis properly. Preheat your oven to 245°F (120°C), grind your cannabis, and spread it on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so it heats evenly.
Step 2: Pick your alcohol
Tinctures are usually made with high-proof alcohol like vodka or Everclear. Choose one whose taste you like and that will pull the THC out of the cannabis effectively.
Step 3: Infuse
Put your decarboxylated cannabis in a sealable glass jar and add enough alcohol to cover it completely. Seal it tightly and let it sit at room temperature for 2 to 3 weeks, shaking the jar once or twice a day so the cannabis stays evenly distributed in the alcohol. It’s a slow process, but it’s mostly waiting.
Step 4: Strain
When the infusion is done, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the plant matter.
Step 5: Store
Transfer the strained tincture to a clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid, and keep it in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use it.
How to use it
Shake the bottle, then dispense a small amount, about a dropperful, under your tongue. Hold it in your mouth for a few minutes before swallowing so the THC absorbs into your bloodstream. You’ll usually feel the effects within 30 minutes to an hour.
From there, the tincture goes anywhere:
- Cocktails. Add a dropperful to any cocktail for a THC boost. Margaritas, mojitos, and gin and tonics all work well. Stir well.
- Mocktails. Skip the alcohol and still get the THC by mixing your tincture into a non-alcoholic base like fruit juice or soda water.
- Hot drinks. Stir a dropperful into coffee or tea for a warm infused beverage.
- Smoothies. Add a dropperful to your smoothie ingredients and blend.
A note on dosing
The strength of your tincture depends on the potency of your cannabis and how much you use. Start with a small amount and increase as needed to find your dose. THC affects everyone differently, and anything you swallow behaves like an edible, so go slow and start low, especially the first time.