Here at Cannabis & Glass, we’re passionate about marijuana in all its forms.
We’re sure you’re familiar with all the typical ways of consuming marijuana, such as smoking, vaping, dabs, and edibles. How about marijuana tinctures, though? What are these, and why should you care?
What Is Marijuana Tincture?
As one of the oldest medicinal methods of concentrating plant compounds, tinctures have long been used to maximize the benefits plant yields, cannabis among them.
The word tincture refers to an extraction method that uses alcohol as a solvent. In the world of marijuana, a tincture is sometimes incorrectly applied to oils infused with cannabis. These are actually infusions.
Tinctures, nickname “the moonshine of marijuana,” were the leading form of marijuana medicine until it was first banned back in 1937. Safe and relatively easy to make, the process involved is akin to dissolving some sugar in water.
Plant material is extracted with an ethanol percentage from 25 to 60% yielding a solution from 50 proof to 120 proof. Since alcohol breaks down both the basic and acidic components of marijuana, you’ll end up with more of those precious cannabinoids in your dropper bottle.
With the plant matter dissolved and the oils, trichomes, terpenes, and cannabinoids all suspended in the solution, you simply administer the tincture sublingually or ingest it.
What’s the point of going to all this trouble, though? Surely you could just rely on the time-honored methods of smoking or go ‘twenty-first century’ with your dab rig?
You could, but tinctures come with a few distinct benefits.
Key Benefits of Marijuana Tinctures
- The effects hit home quickly and powerfully
- Dose control is straightforward, so you’ll get none of the uncertainty when trying to gauge dosage with edibles
- It is totally discreet, and you won’t need to worry about wielding a bong or reeking of weed in public
- You won’t experience any of the dangers associated with smoking
- Tinctures have an exceptionally long shelf-life
While THC tinctures deliver all the above and more, CBD tinctures can deliver a shower of medical benefits. From helping with a waning appetite to dealing with insomnia, reducing inflammation to soothing psoriasis, the list goes on.
Whichever tincture you choose, this tried-and-true method works. It might not generate the same amount of press as wax and shatter, but it’s a classic delivery method for good reason.
How about the less positive side of tinctures, though? Are there any side effects?
Side Effects of Marijuana Tinctures
With THC tinctures, you can expect the same range of possible side effects that smoking would generate. You’re likely to feel hungry, and you could experience some degree of paranoia. CBD tinctures don’t provoke those side effects, but you’re quite likely to find your mouth feeling dry.
Since CBD can interact with other medication, always consult with your doctor first.
How Much Does Marijuana Tincture Cost?
As a rule of thumb, a bottle containing 100 drops of marijuana tincture should cost around $20.
Depending on how much you pay and how many drops you take each time, cost-per-dosage tends to hover around 50 cents. Compare that to the cost of sucking down a half-gram joint, and you’ll start to see that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get high or to achieve the medical benefits.
So far, so good, but how do you administer your tincture?
How to Take Marijuana Tincture
A tincture comes in a dropper bottle; you simply squeeze a drop or two under your tongue. Rather than swallowing it, allow the tincture to absorb into your bloodstream. This process is called osmosis.
If you choose to swallow instead, the delta-9-THC (the psychoactive component) turns into 11-Hydroxy THC as it passes through your liver. This process delays the onset of effects from 15 minutes to 2 hours or more.
When you allow osmosis to take place, the marijuana tincture hits your brain in a quick-fire fashion. It absorbs into the bloodstream through the sublingual artery that’s close to your carotid, making it fast-acting and effective.
What to Do Next
If this glimpse at marijuana tinctures has piqued your interest, why not head down to Cannabis & Glass? Our highly knowledgeable team will be delighted to continue the discussion while showing you around our incredible menu of marijuana in all its forms.
