Cannabis has changed countless lives, including ours. At CBD Good Life, we’ve seen how its therapeutic potential helps people live better. Among all the methods of using cannabis, tinctures stand out as one of the safest and most effective options. In this DIY guide, we’ll walk you through how to make tincture of cannabis safely at home. And the best part? You can make them with basic tools in your kitchen. Let’s dive in and show you exactly how to do it in a safe, effective and reliable way.
What Is A Cannabis Tincture?
Before we explain how to make tincture of cannabis, let’s define what it actually is.
A cannabis tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made by soaking cannabis in high-proof alcohol. This process pulls out active compounds like THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, creating a powerful solution that can be taken orally.
Additionally, tinctures have been around for centuries. In fact, they were among the first forms of cannabis medicine used before prohibition. Today, they’ve made a comeback due to their ease of use, fast absorption and minimal health risks compared to smoking or vaping.
Furthermore, there are generally two types:
- THC tinctures for those seeking psychoactive effects or pain relief
- CBD tinctures for anxiety, inflammation and relaxation without the high
At CBD Good Life, we value tinctures for their flexibility, shelf-stability and precise dosing. Whether you’re treating a chronic condition or just looking for stress relief, tinctures offer a user-friendly, smoke-free option.
Now that you know what a cannabis tincture is, let’s move on to tips about how to make tincture of cannabis.
Tips For Making Cannabis Tinctures
1: Make things as easy as you can.
2: Decarboxylate your cannabis first, or even utilize cannabis that has already been vaped (ABV).
3: The finest oils for tinctures are coconut, MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) or olive oil.
4: You may add cannabis to olive oil and use it in food items.
5: Applying cannabis-infused coconut oil to the skin is a fantastic idea.
6: For optimal strength, mix fresh, decarbed cannabis with almost equal parts oil (or alcohol): 440–460 g of cannabis to 500 ml of coconut or olive oil.
7: Use half, a quarter or even less cannabis than what is required for optimal potency if you wish to lessen its strength. For example, you may use 500 ml of oil with 220–230 g to make half-strength cannabis, 110–120 g for quarter-strength cannabis, 50–60 g for one-eighth strength, and so on.
8: Tinctures made using ABV cannabis will be less strong, but some people might like that.
9: Use either a THC-rich variety of cannabis for a THC-rich tincture or a variety high in CBD if you want a cannabidiol-rich (CBD-rich) tincture.
10: A gram of cannabis with 20% THC will have 200 mg of THC since each gram of cannabis contains about 1,000 mg of cannabinoids.
How To Make Tincture Of Cannabis
There are a variety of ways to make tinctures. Thus, to make a safe and potent cannabis tincture at home, gather your supplies first.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Rimmed baking tray
- Baking paper
- Crockpot, double boiler or saucepan
- Cheesecloth or strainer
- Cooking twine to tie the cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 5 grams of high quality cannabis flower
- 1/2 cup of olive or coconut oil
Instructions For How To Make Tincture Of Cannabis
Now, let’s get to the heart of this DIY guide—how to make tincture of cannabis the right way.
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
- Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
- Break cannabis buds into small pieces.
- Spread evenly on a baking tray with parchment/baking paper.
- Bake for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Let the cannabis come to room temperature. Instead of being as green as fresh cannabis, it should seem darker, generally light brown or yellow.
Tip: It is not necessary to decarboxylate cannabis if you are utilizing already vaped weed.
Step 2: Make Your Oil Based Cannabis Tincture
Use one of the following techniques to mix the cannabis with coconut or olive oil:
When cooking in the crockpot:
- Cook on low heat for four to six hours, stirring periodically.
In a double boiler:
- A basic heat-proof bowl set over a pot of boiling water would work just fine. Then, cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, stirring regularly.
In a saucepan on the stove:
- Stir often for three hours over low heat. Although this is the quickest way, it is also the most prone to burning. To avoid burning, you might dilute the oil with a little water.
Also, it is important to remember that the oil temperature should never rise over 245°F (118°C).
Step 3: Strain Your Oil Based Cannabis Tincture
Remove the plant particles from your cannabis tincture by straining it through cheesecloth or a strainer. After that, keep your oil in an airtight container in a dry, dark, and cool location.
How To Make Tincture Of Cannabis Alternatively
Alternative ways to make tincture of cannabis include the following:
The Simple Method To Make Tincture Without Heating
To infuse cannabis, you don’t have to heat the oil and cannabis together. You may mix decarboxylated or ABV cannabis with oil and let it infuse for three to five weeks in a cold, dark area, stirring the container once daily, if you can wait a few weeks. Thus, you will have a canna-oil that is comparable to the product produced by heating the two components together.
Alcohol-Based Cannabis Tinctures
Similar to the easy procedure of making oil based tincture mentioned above, you may create alcohol-infused tinctures instead of oil-based ones. Use decarbed or ABV cannabis (many people begin by using 1 or 2 ounces of cannabis to 750 ml of palatable, high-strength, neutral alcohol). Then:
- Place decarboxylated cannabis in your glass jar.
- Pour alcohol over it until it is fully submerged.
- Close the lid tightly.
- Shake the jar once daily.
- Store it in a cool, dark place for 2–3 weeks.
- Then, strain using cheesecloth into a clean container.
- Use a funnel to fill dropper bottles.
- Label each bottle with the date and strain (optional).
That’s it. You’ve just learned how to make tincture of cannabis from scratch. If done right, the result is a clear green or amber liquid, rich in cannabinoids.
How To Consume Cannabis Tinctures Safely And Effectively
Using a tincture is easy, but doing it the right way matters—especially if you’re new. Thus, here’s how we recommend consuming it:
- Start Low And Slow: Begin with 0.25 to 0.5 ml under the tongue.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds: Let the tincture absorb sublingually.
- Wait before dosing again: Effects can take 30–45 minutes to set in.
- Track your dose: Use a notebook or app to monitor how much you’ve taken.
You can also add it to:
- Herbal teas or smoothies
- Salad dressings or soups
- Edibles (just ensure it’s not overheated)
Furthermore, tinctures are potent. Therefore, respect the dose and your tolerance. At CBD Good Life, we always advise users to practice safe consumption habits.
Safe Storage: Keeping Your Tincture Fresh And Potent
Knowing how to make tincture of cannabis is only part of the process. How you store it matters just as much.
Thus, follow these tips to maintain quality:
- Use Dark Glass Bottles: Prevents light degradation.
- Store In A Cool, Dry Place: Avoid sunlight and humidity.
- Keep Out Of Children’s Reach: Use childproof caps if possible.
- Label Clearly: Write down the strain, potency (if known), and date made.
Additionally, properly stored tinctures can last up to 2 years without losing effectiveness. That makes them one of the most shelf-stable cannabis products you can have. Moreover, for long-term storage, we suggest refrigeration, especially if you’ve used glycerin or other non-alcohol-based carriers.
Why Tinctures Align With The CBD Good Life Mission
At CBD Good Life, we believe knowledge empowers better health choices. When you learn how to make tincture of cannabis at home, you gain control over what goes into your body and how it helps you heal. Additionally, this DIY method of how to make tincture of cannabis supports our mission to educate, inspire and transform lives through hemp. It also aligns with our vision of building a more sustainable future, where people turn to natural remedies with confidence. So, try these methods to make your tinctures, consume them responsibly and store them properly.
FAQS
Does Cannabis Tincture Get You High?
THC-dominant cannabis tinctures have the ability to enhance physical comfort in addition to providing euphoric effects. The calming effects of CBD tinctures have made them popular. Additionally, a combination of both cannabinoids is included in balanced THC/CBD tinctures which may have a number of advantages.
Is Tincture Stronger Than Smoking?
Tinctures’ accuracy and ease of use make them well-liked. The effects are often gentler but last longer than smoking. Since tinctures don’t need breathing any chemicals, many users find them to be a less invasive choice.
Is It Safe To Consume Cannabis Tinctures?
Patients can safely use cannabidiol tinctures as long as they get a high-quality product. Nevertheless, CBD may interact with other medications, especially when used at high amounts (hundreds or thousands of milligrams). Therefore, before using any new product, including CBD tinctures, you should speak with your doctor.
What Is The Best Oil For Tinctures?
The liquid nature and digestion of MCT oil make it attractive for tinctures. Moreover, coconut oil is a popular choice for topicals due to its solid consistency at room temperature and advantages for the skin.