Though smoking cannabis has always been a popular choice for enjoying THC, it wasn’t the most traditional way patients once consumed the herb. Doctors throughout history have prescribed liquid extracts of cannabis for a variety of patient complaints—these types of extracts and medicines were and are referred to as “tinctures.”
Now back on the shelves of dispensaries all over the country, discreet, portable, and precise liquid tinctures have come to the forefront as one of the most convenient and simple ways of enjoying cannabis’ many benefits. Even if you’re a diehard dabber or flower aficionado, cannabis tinctures still have something unique to offer to recreational and medical customers alike.
If it’s your first time getting acquainted with tinctures, you’re in the right place! Learn what they are, how to dose them, their onset time, and so much more. By the end, you’ll be ready to re-stock your stash with some truly incredible tinctures from your favorite San Diego dispensary.
THC Tinctures: An Intro to a Time-Honored Cannabis Remedy
At a basic level, tinctures are any medication dissolved in a liquid—not just cannabis. Interestingly, humans have been making tinctures for centuries, and some estimate this practice runs back at least to ancient Egypt.
In particular, cannabis tinctures have a long and storied past in the USA. Before widespread cannabis prohibition in the early 20th century, THC tinctures were a common prescription on many pharmacy shelves throughout the nation.
Today, tinctures are widely used since they’re so easy to take and dose. Plus, there’s no combustion involved, so it isn’t harsh on the lungs, opening the potential to spread cannabinoid therapy to people with pre-existing pulmonary issues. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about that telltale “weed smell” clinging to your clothes after taking a tincture product.
Tincture Basics: What’s Inside the Bottle?
So, what are these tinctures made with besides cannabis? While tinctures have historically used alcohol as a base, it’s a less common ingredient today. True, some purists will insist tinctures distinguish themselves from other liquid extracts like “oils” due to the use of alcohol, but many modern tinctures actually use medium-chain triglyceride—or “MCT” oil—as a base.
Famous in the keto community, this neutral oil often comes from coconuts and may impart benefits like reducing cholesterol. As a bonus, since cannabinoids are fat-soluble, they cling to MCT oil better than other liquid bases, potentially improving absorption.
A cannabis tincture typically comes in a small bottle with an eyedropper tool. The dropper tool often comes marked with milliliter measurements to make it easy to use and dose. One of the primary benefits of cannabis tinctures is how easy they are to take—you can simply measure the amount of cannabinoids you want and drop it into your mouth. That’s it!
Different Types of Tinctures
While every cannabis tincture contains a mix of cannabis-derived cannabinoids suspended in an oil or liquid, they aren’t all created equally. Here are the most common types of tinctures:
- Full-Spectrum Cannabis Tincture: This type of extract is as close to cannabis in its natural state as possible. “Full-spectrum” means your tincture will contain all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant, with minimal filtering throughout its extraction. Due to the diverse array of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in full-spectrum tinctures, they have the highest potential to impart the “entourage effect“—the theory that cannabis compounds have greater therapeutic potential when they work synergistically. In the specific case of CBD tinctures, a product labeled “full-spectrum” could have up to 0.3% delta-9 THC.
- Broad-Spectrum Cannabis Tincture: This label is typically reserved for CBD-rich tinctures with zero THC content. Although these tinctures could have all the terpenes and secondary cannabinoids found in full-spectrum tinctures, they won’t have THC, making them a great choice for people who want the entourage effect without worrying about THC’s psychoactive properties.
- Isolate Cannabis Tincture: Isolate extracts contain only one cannabinoid in their formula. For example, these targeted tinctures may only have CBD or THC, which makes it easier for people who want targeted effects and accurate dosing. However, keep in mind that without the supporting cannabinoids, isolate tinctures can’t supply the entourage effect.
Depending on the type of tincture you purchase, it will have a massive impact on your experience. If you’re new to cannabis tinctures, ask our friendly budtenders for more information the next time you stop by Mankind.
Common Cannabis Tincture Ratios
Since THC and CBD are the most common cannabinoids in cannabis, ratios for tinctures tend to focus on how these two compounds relate. For example, ratios of 1:1 THC-to-CBD are becoming quite common since they offer balanced effects with mild psychoactivity. However, if you see a cannabis tincture with a 20:1 CBD-to-THC ratio, you know it will have lower psychoactivity due to the heavy concentration of CBD as compared to THC. Whatever you’re looking for, there are many different types of tincture ratios on the market today, so you’re bound to find one that perfectly matches your needs.
How to Use Tincture: Choose Your Onset Time
The exact onset time of your cannabis tincture isn’t easy to determine because there are so many factors influencing cannabinoid absorption. Besides the amount of cannabis tincture you take and its overall potency, you must factor in your metabolism, age, and prior experience with cannabis.
Generally, when you have a higher tolerance to THC or CBD, it will take more tincture to have the same “hit” versus someone who has minimal experience with cannabinoids. In some cases, you may have to wait an hour, or even up to two hours, for a cannabis tincture to take effect. However, using the “sublingual method” to consume your tincture can reliably cut down on your onset time, with the potential for you to feel the effects within minutes.
Ingestion
Whether you down your tincture straight or mix it into a beverage or tasty recipe, the cannabinoids it contains must go through your digestive system before they’re released into your bloodstream. Some studies suggest that the THC and CBD in tinctures and other edibles can take anywhere from 30 – 60 minutes or longer to first take effect, and they typically have long-lasting effects of up to 6 hours.
Note: If your tincture contains alcohol and you’re taking it regularly, this can lead to irritation over time. While the alcohol concentration isn’t enough to get you drunk, it may not be the best choice if you have an allergy or aversion of any kind.
If you don’t care for the taste or throat feel of alcohol, your best bet is to search for non-alcohol-based tinctures that use MCT or other oils instead. Otherwise, you can try diluting the alcohol-based cannabis tincture in a small amount of water or juice. Some people even rave about using tinctures in meals or snacks like sauces, soups, salad dressings, or sherbets, so get creative with how you ingest your cannabinoids!
Sublingual
The most efficient way to take a cannabis tincture is to place a dropper-full beneath your tongue. Why? Your body has a high concentration of blood vessels along the sublingual glands, so you’ll absorb the THC tincture into your bloodstream more rapidly—sometimes as fast as 15 minutes.
To maximize the effects of sublingual cannabis tinctures, wait at least 15 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. When taken in this way, the effects likely won’t be as long-lasting as with ingested tinctures, but they should still last about 2 – 4 hours.
THC Tincture Dosage Guide: How Much Should I Take?
There is no standard “recommended dose” for any cannabis product, tinctures included. Despite its previous use in folk healing, it’s impossible to use a preset calculation when prescribing cannabis tinctures because every extract has different potency ranges, and every patient has unique needs.
We’re all built a bit differently, so our bodies absorb cannabinoids differently. Variables like our age, familiarity with cannabis, and diet play a significant role in how we metabolize cannabinoids. Even something as simple as eating before using a cannabis tincture can influence its effectiveness.
So, where does that leave us? How do you know how much of a tincture is enough—especially if you’re new to cannabinoids? Here’s some tips to help guide you if you’re just dipping your toes into the tincture world:
- Study the label of your cannabis tincture carefully to see how many milligrams (mg) of THC and other cannabinoids are in a single milliliter.
- Look at the recommended dose set by the manufacturer. If you’re already familiar with cannabis, you’ll probably have an idea as to how many milligrams you want to take. However, those new to cannabis should start with a small amount at or below the recommended dose on the product label.
- If you’re still unsure, it may be best to start with no more than 1-5 milligrams of THC and gradually increase as needed.
- Remember to wait at least 2 hours to see how a cannabis tincture affects you. If you take more milligrams too soon, you risk experiencing undesirable effects later when the tincture takes full effect. You’ll know you’ve gone too far with a THC tincture if your experience is unpleasurable and includes symptoms like paranoia, nausea, or digestive upset.
For more details on dosing tinctures, ask any of our welcoming budtenders at Mankind or check out our in-depth guide to tincture dosages.
The Top 4 Tincture Benefits
Tinctures may not be as mainstream as smoking joints or vaping extracts, but they offer many unique benefits you simply can’t get with flower or concentrates. If you’re a newbie, here’s the most compelling reasons to give tinctures a try:
- Discretion: Cannabis tinctures are compact and unobtrusive—they’re the ultimate discreet cannabis product. From adding a few drops to your favorite beverage to using them as a smell-free remedy when you’re on the go, you can’t go wrong with a quick nip of tincture.
- Easy to Dose: Cannabis tinctures make it simple to measure and set your minimum effective dose. If you desire, you can test a tincture out by using drops at a time, giving you the ultimate control and precision.
- Quick Onset Time: Compared to other products like edibles, tinctures can be absorbed relatively quickly if used sublingually. If you take a tincture under your tongue, you could notice an impact in as little as 15 minutes.
- Great Alternative to Edibles: Tinctures are a great non-smoking way to get your cannabis while cutting back on calories and sugar.
Whatever your reasons for choosing tinctures, they can be an excellent addition to any cannabis routine.
Tips & Tricks For Using Tinctures
Using a tincture is pretty self-explanatory, especially after learning about the sublingual technique. However, there are a few pro tips to keep in mind to ensure you squeeze the most proverbial “juice” out of these extracts.
Titration
Titration is a fancy way to describe adjusting your dosage to find the perfect balance for your needs. Start with a small dose—typically 1 – 2 drops—and monitor how your body responds over a few hours. Only increase your dose slowly after the first 2 hours pass and if you don’t experience what you want. Note what final dosage amount works best for you.
This cautious approach helps avoid over-consumption and can ensure a more pleasant, effective experience.
Proper Storage
Proper storage is crucial to preserving your cannabis tincture’s potency and flavor for as long as possible. How do you do this? Keep your cannabis tincture in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet or drawer, away from direct sunlight. Double-check that the bottle is tightly sealed, and opt for tinted glass bottles to prevent light exposure.
Shelf Life
Even with the best preservation methods, cannabis tinctures don’t last forever. Over time, the cannabinoids may degrade, resulting in a less-than-ideal experience. Always check the manufacturer’s expiry date before using a product, and watch out for warning signs like a change in color, consistency, or smell.
Flavor Check
The flavor of a tincture may not be totally pleasant, especially if it’s a full-spectrum oil full of plant compounds or suspended in an alcohol base. So, before taking a full dose, taste just a drop. If the flavor is too strong or unpleasant, mix it into your favorite food or beverages to mask the taste. Alternatively, you can opt for flavored tinctures infused with natural terpenes that taste like mint, citrus, or berries.
Find Your New Favorite Tincture With Mankind
Want to explore the benefits of tinctures? Find the best of the best of San Diego cannabis at Mankind! Our shelves are packed with all kinds of quality tinctures containing THC, CBD, or a mixture of both. For even more premium bud, search our extensive menu and find fresh, California-grown flower, potent concentrates, edibles, and any other style of cannabis product you could possibly imagine!
Regardless of your specific needs and goals, tinctures offer flexible, accurate, and discreet dosing. If you can’t make it into our San Diego dispensary, our cannabis delivery service makes it easier than ever to get the cannabis products you want safely and conveniently.
Got more questions about cannabis tinctures, extracts, or anything else cannabis-related? Head to our shop and chat with one of our welcoming budtenders—we’re here to help!
