How To Use Cannabis Tincture – Everything You Need To Know (2022)

Cannabis Tinctures And How To Use Them - The Ultimate Guide

Medicinal marijuana is making an impression in a big way.

With the increasing range of cannabis products on the marketplace it’s no wonder the public are looking more deeply into the benefits of cannabis.

In times gone by you were either a stoner hippy or a drug dealer if you were growing cannabis plants.

Now the stoners are scientists and the dealers are pharmaceutical companies recreational users are no longer the primary target market.

The United States has had a changeable relationship with the plant.

Since cannabis prohibition began in the early 20th century it’s consumption has been widely frowned upon.

Ironically, prior to that the production of cannabis or hemp was actually encouraged and used in various ways including the textile industry.

However, since the Farm Bill eased restrictions in 2018, laws globally have began to relax.

There are numerous ways to consume cannabis, the most popular ways are; smoking it, baking it into brownies, other cannabis edibles and infusing drinks with CBD oil.

However, the cannabis plant is very versatile and lends itself to other different ways of accessing the therapeutic effects that lie within.

Taking a cannabis tincture is one of those ways and it may surprise you to know that it is actually one of the oldest consumption methods.

In this article we’ll take a look at why cannabis tinctures can be a safer and more practical alternative for new users to get the best results from their medical marijuana use.

Cannabis tinctures - what exactly are they?

So after that fine introduction, what actually is a cannabis tincture?

Well quite simply a cannabis tincture is an alcohol-based cannabis extract. Essentially, a cannabis-infused alcohol.

Tinctures were actually much more popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the main form of cannabis medicine until the United States cannabis prohibition.

The main attraction for tinctures is their ease of use. Secondly they have a long shelf life and are a great alternative to smoking.

Perhaps the best part is that the flavor of the tincture can also be altered depending on the alcohol that the cannabis plant is mixed with.

Consumption methods of cannabis tincture

Cannabis tinctures are usually held in small bottles referred to as dropper bottles.

Attached to the screw top lid is an inbuilt pipette or ‘dropper’ which is used to suck up the liquid and hold it until you decide how you’re going to consume it.

If you drop the liquid into your mouth and swallow the tincture straight from the dropper it will potentially take up to two hours for the medicine to take maximum effect.

This is due to the rate at which your body absorbs the tincture into your bloodstream.

If you want a quick way of feeling the desired effect, try putting the drops under your tongue.

Because of the network of blood vessels there, this is a great way to absorb the cannabis medicine in the tincture.

Using this method, you can expect to feel the effects of the medicine in roughly 15 to 45 minutes.

This is perhaps the best way of ‘dropping’ because the effects are felt more quickly, by circumventing the digestive system it is likely that the effect will be more potent.

7 Top Tips for using cannabis tincture effectively

1. Take the drops directly under your tongue for the quickest effects to take place.

2. Use small doses initially to ensure you have the right product for you and give yourself time in case there are any unwanted side effects such as dizziness or nausea.

3. Flavor your drops to improve their taste using a cordial, juice or fruit.

4. Treat cannabis tincture like any medicine and give yourself a 15 minute window either side of consumption without eating.

5. If you have a low THC ratio tincture then add this to food to subtly ingest the medicine. Cannabis salad dressings or flavored ice cream is surprisingly nice.

6. Add 1-2 drops of your tincture to an 8 oz. cup of warm water to make a herbal tea. This can be particularly effective in helping menstrual cramps and joint pain.

7. The easiest way to ensure your cannabis tinctures have a long life is to store them in a cool, dry and dark place without any contaminants. Do this and they will last you for years.

Read all about CBD expiration

Cannabis tincture is an alcohol-based cannabis extract. Essentially, a cannabis-infused alcohol.
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How Much Do I Take, and How Long Does it Last?

Now let’s move on to probably the most important question: How much cannabis tincture should I take?

As with most alternative medicines, there’s not really a single answer.

Everyone has a different physiology and their endocannabinoid system reacts in different ways.

Therefore a cautious approach is always best.

How Much Cannabis tincture Should I Take?

Take just 2 or 3 drops under the tongue and then wait at least 90 minutes to make sure that the full effects of the cannabis tincture have been and gone.

The strength and concentration of cannabis tinctures can be different depending on their origin.

Some may have a higher THC ratio and others a higher CBD ratio so effects and experience will differ.

That brings up another question: How long do the effects of tincture drops last?

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How Long Does Cannabis tincture Last?

Once again, that depends on several factors, including your personal physiology, your weight and age, and your experience with cannabis.

Therefore a good rule of thumb is that, if you swallow a tincture you expect the effects to be long-lasting, spanning several hours at least.

If you use the tincture under the tongue, you can expect a slightly shorter effect than this as it reaches the endocannabinoid system more quickly.

Lifespan of cannabis tincture

Like most solutions mixed with high-proof alcohol, you can expect this cannabis product to last for many years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Their long shelf life means you can make large quantities of them in one sitting.

Compared to the traditional cannabis oils and cannabis-infused brownies or edibles, tinctures are a low-calorie alternative.

If you make a tincture with 190 proof alcohol, you’re looking at about 7 calories per ml.

Do tinctures burn if you drop under your tongue?

Some people have reported experiencing a burning sensation under their tongue after a few drops of tincture—the high-proof alcohol used to make a tincture is responsible for this.

If the tincture burns under your tongue and you are looking for a different option, you can get a glycerin based tincture or incorporate your tincture into a beverage.

Psychoactive effects of cannabis tincture

Using a cannabis tincture isn’t really any different from using any other cannabis medicine.

Depending on how much THC it contains, you’ll feel roughly the same effects as with inhaled cannabis.

However, it will take longer to take full effect.

Expect to be high longer than when you smoke or vaporize, but shorter than when you eat a butter or CBD oil-based edible.

3 Benefits of Using cannabis tincture

Tinctures are especially great for first-time cannabis consumers, those that are wary of the effects of smoking cannabis or those that enjoy open market CBD products.

Here are some reasons why tinctures may be a good option for you:

1. They’re discrete, socially acceptable and don’t smell! The most common way of using cannabis is smoking but in all honesty, who likes the side looks they get from passers by when they stink of weed?

2. CBD tinctures are perhaps the easiest way to use cannabis. And certainly one of the most effective methods of feeling the effects quickly… Much like a morning coffee!

3. Marijuana tincture can help alleviate the effects of many ailments. And the optimal dosage can be easily found with the measured dropper method, unlike the guessing that’s needed with other medical cannabis products.