Buying Guide: Understanding the Cost of Cannabis Tincture Per Bottle
Discover the factors influencing the cost of cannabis tinctures and make an informed purchase for your needs.
To make cannabis tincture at home, decarboxylate ground cannabis in an oven at about 220 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes, combine it with high-proof alcohol or food-grade glycerin, let the mixture steep for several weeks with regular shaking, then strain out the plant material and store the liquid in a dark glass dropper bottle. The finished tincture is a concentrated liquid that is usually dosed by the drop under the tongue or mixed into a drink.
What Is a Cannabis Tincture?
A tincture is a liquid extract. In the case of cannabis, the active compounds THC and CBD are pulled out of the plant material and dissolved into a solvent, most often alcohol. The result keeps far longer than fresh flower and is easy to measure in small amounts.
Alcohol-Free Cannabis Tincture Recipes: How to Make at Home
Unlike smoking or vaping, a tincture is absorbed through the mouth and digestive system. That changes how it feels and how long it lasts, so the same amount of THC can hit differently depending on how you take it.
alcohol free cannabis tincture recipes
What You Need
- Decarboxylated cannabis flower, roughly 3.5 to 7 grams depending on the strength you want
- A solvent: 150-proof or higher neutral alcohol such as food-grade ethanol, or vegetable glycerin for an alcohol-free version
- A clean glass jar with a tight lid
- Cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter
- Amber glass dropper bottles
- An oven, baking sheet, and parchment paper
- A thermometer if you want tighter control over the decarboxylation step
Step 1: Decarboxylate the Flower
Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is not intoxicating. Heat converts THCA into THC, and this step is what makes a tincture active. Break the flower into small, even pieces, spread it on parchment paper, and bake at 220 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 45 minutes. Stir once at the halfway point. Lower heat and longer time protects the terpenes; higher heat works faster but can degrade the plant material.
Step 2: Combine Cannabis and Solvent
Let the decarboxylated flower cool, then place it in your glass jar. Pour in enough solvent to cover the plant material by about an inch. Seal the jar and shake it well. Store it in a cool, dark cabinet.
Step 3: Steep and Shake
Shake the jar once a day. A traditional alcohol tincture steeps for two to four weeks. Some people use a shorter, warm infusion of a few hours, but the long steep generally extracts more of the plant compounds. Glycerin extracts are slower and typically need four to eight weeks.
Step 4: Strain and Bottle
Line a strainer with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and pour the mixture through. Squeeze gently to recover the last of the liquid, then discard the spent plant material. Funnel the tincture into amber dropper bottles and label them with the date and your best estimate of potency.
Alcohol, Glycerin, or Oil?
- Alcohol: Fastest and most complete extraction, longest shelf life, and a sharp taste. It burns under the tongue for some people.
- Glycerin: Alcohol-free and sweeter, but weaker and slower to extract. It also spoils sooner.
- Oil: Oil-based infusions are technically not tinctures, but they work well in food and last a long time when refrigerated.
How to Dose a Homemade Tincture
Home extraction is not precise, so treat every batch as unpredictable. Start with a single drop under the tongue, wait at least two hours, and note the effect before taking more. Effects from swallowed cannabis can take 30 to 120 minutes to appear and can feel stronger than expected. Keep a written log of drops, timing, and response so you can find a repeatable amount for your next batch.
If you use cannabis for a medical reason, talk with a clinician who understands cannabis dosing rather than adjusting a homemade product on your own.
Storage and Shelf Life
Keep alcohol tinctures in amber glass, sealed, away from light and heat. They can hold potency for a year or more. Glycerin tinctures are best refrigerated and used within a few months. If the liquid smells or tastes off, discard it.
Legal and Safety Notes
Cannabis rules vary by state and country, and making a tincture at home is not legal everywhere. Check your local law before you start. Alcohol-based tinctures are flammable, so never work near an open flame, and keep the finished product locked away from children and pets. Never drive after using cannabis, and avoid it during pregnancy.