Feeling confused about how to make a cannabis-infused tincture? You are not alone.
Nowadays, with lots of consumable cannabis products, one such option that is getting popular is tincture.
A cannabis tincture is a strong liquid made by soaking cannabis flowers in a solvent like alcohol, glycerine, or oil.
Many are consuming it after purchasing it from reliable online dispensaries like The Green Ace, and some are trying to learn to make their cannabis-infused tincture.
So, when you start getting excited about making the tincture, you look for resources and the materials you need.
The process seems straightforward— follow the steps, and you will get your tincture quickly
However, the preparation while ensuring quality is more complex than it looks. You might face challenges like,
- Strain selection
- Decarboxylation mistakes
- Choosing the wrong solvent
- Storage problems, and many more.
So, here we will cover how to make a cannabis tincture, select the right strain, choose the best decarboxylation method and base, and provide storage tips.
How You Can Choose a Strain for the Cannabis Tincture
Here are tips for choosing a strain. Let’s get started.
1. Know the Types of Strains
There are many strains available in the market, and you may not know which is the right one. Thus, various strains can be grouped into Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
Indica Strains:
- These come from shorter plants with broad leaves.
- These are known for their calming and relaxing effects.
Sativa Strains:
- These generally come from taller plants with narrow leaves.
- These are known for energizing and uplifting effects.
Hybrid Strains:
- A mix of Indica and Sativa strains.
- The effect depends on the dominant strain (Indica, Sativa, or a balanced one).
2. Understand the Cannabinoid Content
Cannabis tincture is made by soaking dried cannabis flowers in a strong alcohol.
This process extracts cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, which further dissolve into the solvent.
THC and CBD come from the same plant species, Cannabis sativa, but they work differently:
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):
The compound that causes the “high” feeling.
THC- Dominant Strains
These strains have higher concentrations of THC, typically from 15% to 30%.
Cannabidiol(CBD)
CBD is a compound similar to THC, but it doesn’t cause a high.
CBD-Dominant Strains
These strains have more CBD (10% to 20%) and very little THC (usually less than 1%). They are ideal for users who are looking for therapeutic benefits without feeling high.
3. Quality of Cannabis
High-quality cannabis is essential for creating a potent tincture. Look for fresh, well-cured, and tested flowers to obtain the best results.
What is Decarboxylation of Cannabis for Tincture?
Decarboxylation is the process of heating cannabis compounds to activate its compounds (THC and CBD). This process is vital because raw cannabis contains non-psychoactive compounds like THCA and CBDA.
So, when cannabis is heated, these forms are converted into their active counterparts, THC and CBD. This process also reduces the bacteria content and moisture, ensuring safety and enhancing the tincture’s potency.
3 Decarboxylation Methods
There are various methods for decarboxylating cannabis, including:
1. Oven Method (Most Common)
1. | Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 240°F (115°C). |
2. | Prepare Cannabis: Grind the cannabis in coarse pieces, not in fine powder. |
3. | Bake: Place the tray in the oven. So, bake for 30 to 40 minutes, being careful not to burn it. The cannabis should turn a light golden brown. |
4. | Cool Down: Allow the cannabis to cool before you use it for your tincture recipe. |
2. Sous Vide Method
1. | Prepare the Cannabis: Grind your cannabis in coarse pieces. |
2. | Seal in a Bag: Place the ground cannabis in a vacuum-sealed bag. |
3. | Set Up Sous Vide: Fill a pot with water and set your sous vide precision cooker to 230°F (110°C). |
4. | Decarb: Submerge the sealed bag in the water bath for 90 minutes. This method is discreet and reduces odour while ensuring even heating. |
3. Stovetop Method (for Tea)
1. | Use a Tea Bag: Fill an empty tea bag with ground cannabis. |
2. | Simmer: Place the tea bag in simmering water at about 210°F (99°C) for about 30 minutes. This method is less common for tinctures but can help make cannabis tea. |
Which is the Best Base —Alcohol, Glycerine, or Oil?
When you are ready with how to make weed tincture, choosing the right base is essential. The right base can determine:
- How well the cannabinoids (THC and CBD) are extracted
- How the tincture can be consumed
Here are three options for the base: alcohol, glycerin, and oil.
Alcohol-Based Tincture
Glycerin-Based Tincture
Oil-Based Tincture
NOTE: Many manufacturers use MCT oil or food-grade alcohol as the solvent. For example, The Green Ace offers Notorious 1:1 THC/CBD Tincture (30ml). It is made with CO2-extracted coconut oil and organic MCT coconut oil.
How To Store Your Cannabis Tincture
Properly storing your cannabis tincture is essential to maintain its potency, flavour, and effectiveness over time. So, we will dive into some tips for storing:
Cool Temperature
Store the tincture in a cool area, 35-45°F (2-7°C). This will help prevent the degradation and stabilize the cannabinoids.
Dark Environment
As UV rays can degrade the cannabinoids, it is really important to protect the tincture from light.
To minimize light penetration, you can use opaque containers, such as amber or blue glass bottles.
Dry Place
Ensure the storage area is dry to avoid moisture.
Recommendations for Container
- Airtight Sealing: You can use airtight containers to prevent air exposure, which can lead to oxidation and reduce potency. Glass bottles with droppers are perfect for this purpose.
- Avoid Plastic: While some plastic containers are acceptable, glass is preferred for long-term storage.
How Long Does it Take for Cannabis Tincture to Kick in
Cannabis tinctures typically take effect relatively. It depends on the method of consumption:
Under-the-Tongue Dosing
When you place cannabis tincture under the tongue, it can start showing the effects within 15 to 30 minutes.
Oral Ingestion
If you swallow or mix the tincture into the food, the effects may take longer to manifest, generally around 45 to 60 minutes.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you are now ready with tips on how to make a tincture with weed. It is important to follow the steps and ensure quality while making a tincture. However, you may need to determine whether the tincture you make is premium quality or not. If you face any problems related to that, you can consider another option: buying cannabis tincture from top online weed dispensaries like the Green Ace. This will help you to make the most out of your cannabis journey.
Elevate your cannabis experience— drop by drop!