Cannabis Tinctures Guide: Alcohol-Based Extraction Methods

Cannabis tinctures offer a smoke-free, precise way to consume cannabis. These alcohol-based extracts absorb quickly when taken under the tongue and can be added to foods and drinks.

Quick Answer

Cannabis tinctures are made by soaking decarboxylated cannabis in high-proof alcohol (Everclear) for 2-6 weeks, then straining. Tinctures taken sublingually (under tongue) work in 15-30 minutes. They are precise to dose and have a long shelf life.

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What is a Cannabis Tincture?

A tincture is a liquid cannabis extract made using alcohol as the solvent. Unlike oil-based infusions, tinctures can be absorbed directly through mouth tissues for faster onset.

Advantages of Tinctures

Fast-acting: Sublingual absorption bypasses digestion, taking effect in 15-30 minutes.

Precise dosing: Dropper allows exact measurement, typically 1ml at a time.

Long shelf life: Alcohol preserves tinctures for years when stored properly.

Versatile: Take directly, add to food/drinks, or use in recipes.

Discreet: Small bottles are portable with no cannabis odor.

No calories: Unlike butter or oil infusions.

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What You Need

Ingredients

• 7-14 grams decarboxylated cannabis
• 1-2 cups high-proof alcohol (Everclear 190-proof preferred)

Choosing Your Alcohol

Best choice: Everclear 190-proof (95% alcohol)

• Highest extraction efficiency
• Evaporates completely
• Available in most states

Alternative: Everclear 151-proof (75.5% alcohol)

• Available where 190-proof is restricted
• Still effective, slightly lower efficiency

Avoid: Vodka, rum, or spirits under 100 proof

• Too much water content
• Lower extraction efficiency
• Taste may affect final product

Equipment

• Mason jar with lid
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Dark glass dropper bottles (amber or cobalt)
• Funnel
• Measuring cup

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Traditional Cold Extraction Method

Step 1: Decarboxylate Cannabis

Bake cannabis at 240°F for 40-60 minutes. This activates THC - do not skip this step.

Step 2: Combine in Mason Jar

Place decarbed cannabis in mason jar. Pour enough alcohol to cover cannabis by 1 inch.

Ratio: 1 cup alcohol per 7g cannabis is a good starting point.

Step 3: Seal and Store

Seal jar tightly. Store in cool, dark location.

Step 4: Shake Daily

Shake jar vigorously once daily. This improves extraction.

Step 5: Wait 2-6 Weeks

Minimum: 2 weeks

Optimal: 4-6 weeks

Maximum benefit: 8 weeks

Longer soaking extracts more cannabinoids and terpenes.

Step 6: Strain

Pour through cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into clean container. Squeeze gently to extract all liquid.

Step 7: Bottle and Store

Transfer to dark glass dropper bottles using funnel. Label with date and estimated potency.

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Quick Wash Method (QWET)

For faster results with less chlorophyll extraction:

Process

1. Freeze both cannabis and alcohol overnight (minimum 24 hours)

2. Combine frozen cannabis and alcohol in mason jar

3. Shake vigorously for 3 minutes only

4. Strain immediately through coffee filter

5. Repeat with fresh alcohol if desired for second wash

Why Freezing Helps

Cold temperatures prevent chlorophyll from dissolving in alcohol, resulting in cleaner, less bitter tincture.

Trade-off: Less extraction time means slightly lower potency than traditional method.

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Using Cannabis Tinctures

Sublingual Method (Fastest)

1. Draw desired dose in dropper

2. Place drops under tongue

3. Hold for 60-90 seconds

4. Swallow remaining liquid

Onset: 15-30 minutes

Duration: 2-4 hours

Adding to Food/Drinks

Add tincture to any food or beverage. Alcohol evaporates when heated.

Note: When swallowed directly (not sublingual), effects take longer (30-90 minutes) as tincture is processed through digestion.

Recipes

• Add to coffee, tea, or cocktails
• Mix into salad dressings
• Drizzle over desserts
• Blend into smoothies

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Dosing Tinctures

Calculating Potency

Example with 10g cannabis at 20% THC:

• Total THC: 10 x 0.20 x 1000 = 2,000 mg
• After extraction (~90% efficiency): 1,800 mg THC total
• In 2 cups (480ml) alcohol: 3.75 mg per ml

Standard Dropper

Most droppers dispense approximately 1ml per full dropper (about 30 drops).

Recommended Starting Doses

• Beginners: 0.25ml (about 7 drops or 1/4 dropper)
• Regular users: 0.5-1ml (15-30 drops)
• Experienced: 1-2ml (1-2 full droppers)

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Reducing Alcohol Burn

High-proof alcohol can burn under the tongue. To reduce this:

Evaporation Method

Leave tincture in open shallow dish for 24-48 hours. Alcohol evaporates, concentrating cannabinoids and reducing burn.

Caution: Do this in well-ventilated area away from flames. Alcohol is flammable.

Glycerin Transfer

After making alcohol tincture, evaporate most alcohol, then mix with food-grade vegetable glycerin. Glycerin is sweet and less harsh.

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Storage and Shelf Life

Optimal Storage

• Dark glass bottle (amber or cobalt)
• Cool, dark location (refrigerator works well)
• Away from children and pets

Shelf Life

Properly stored tinctures last 3-5 years or longer. Alcohol preserves cannabinoids effectively.

Signs of Degradation

• Color change (may darken over time - normal)
• Sediment formation (normal, shake before use)
• Off smell (rare with alcohol-based tinctures)

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Troubleshooting

Tincture is very bitter

• Too much plant material extracted
• Try quick wash method next time
• Add honey or sugar when consuming

Tincture seems weak

• Did not decarboxylate properly
• Used low-proof alcohol
• Did not soak long enough
• Cannabis was lower potency than expected

Too much alcohol burn

• Use evaporation method to reduce alcohol
• Mix with beverage before consuming
• Switch to glycerin tincture

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Tinctures vs Other Consumption Methods

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Cannabis tinctures combine fast onset with precise dosing, making them ideal for medicinal users and anyone seeking controlled cannabis experiences.