Are you tired of smoking or vaping cannabis? Does rolling joints and making bongs cost you a lot? Then, you have come to the right place. In this article, you will learn how to effortlessly produce cannabis tinctures at home.
What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
Cannabis Tinctures, sometimes also referred to as thegreen dragonor thegolden dragon,is a solution of concentrated cannabis in alcohol or vinegar. They are obtained by soaking herbs (cannabis) in alcohol or vinegar. Cannabis tinctures are used in making nabiximols (a botanical drug used to cure neuropathic pain) and to treat overactive bladder and other types of medical conditions.
Decarboxylation of The Cannabis
Now, this is a significant step in the production of a cannabis tincture. To have a maximum psychoactive effect, it is necessary to decarboxylate the cannabis to remove its acid form. Most of the cannabinoids will remain stuck in their acid form (THCA orCBDA) in case you forgot to decarboxylate it.
Even after decarboxylation, some acid form will remain as it is and cannot be transformed into its activated conformation. This is also known as theentourage effectwhich helps in bringing all its therapeutic effects.
Production of Cannabis Tincture and Its Chemical Composition
Tinctures are produced using alcohols that are flammable and when heated can cause grave dangers. Also, burning alcohol wide-open can produce harmful fumes and can cause severe health issues. So here is a better way to make cannabis tinctures without heating.
Alcohol is commonly used as a solvent because it easily breaks down the acidic and basic components of cannabis. Only 25%-60% of the alcohol is used in the production of cannabis tincture.
The production of cannabis tincture is very much like dissolving salt in water as the salt breaks down its chemical composition to settle in between the molecules of water, the same happens in the making of cannabis tincture.
Let’s learn to make cannabis tinctures at home.
Apparatus
- 250ml of mason jar
- An opaque glass jar of 250ml
- Rubber strainer or mesh cloth
Ingredients
- 7grams of decarboxylated cannabis
- 158grams of alcohol
Steps to Follow:
- Begin by placing the decarboxylated cannabis and alcohol together in the mason jar. Then, leave it at room temperature for 3 hours. (If you want the tincture to be cleaner in taste place it in the freezer so that the chlorophyll will not percolate in the solution)
- Freeze it for 1-3 hours and keep checking the mixture and give it a good stir or swirl in order to mix the components well.
- Now, once you have taken out the jar, open it and filter all the mixture using a rubber spatula or mesh cloth.
- Then, take an opaque glass jar and store it in a cool place.
Difference Between Cannabis Tincture and CBD Oil
People often think these two terms to be interchangeable, but both are actually two different products. A cannabis tincture is more like an alcohol-based extract that uses alcohol as a solvent to extract the chemical properties of cannabis.
On the other hand, CBD oils contain CBD mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or hemp seed oil. CBD oil only contains CBD (Cannabidiol) but the tincture contains both THC and CBD.
How to Consume Cannabis Tincture?
It is easy to consume cannabis tincture. Take an eyedropper and take out 2-3 drops of the tincture. Place the tincture under your tongue and let it absorb. Remember not to swallow the tincture as then, it will not enter your bloodstream through the process of Osmosis.
Osmosis allows the chemical to flow through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution to a highly concentrated solution which equalizes the solution on both sides. This process is also known assublingual administration and helps the chemical to quickly reach the brain.
Storing a Cannabis Tincture
Cannabis tinctures are infused products and must be kept in dry, cool, and sealed places. It is necessary to place tinctures in dark bottles where only a little or no sunlight will enter the bottle, and the chemical properties of the tincture will remain undisturbed.
To control the temperature of the tinctures, it is necessary to place them inside the refrigerator. As it will keep them cool and with time will increase their taste and protect it from degradation.
Always use opaque containers like the one we get from medical shops or buy one from any nearby dispensary. If you are purchasing it from a supermarket or dispensary, always try to keep it in its original container. Try to avoid using plastic bottles for storing cannabis tincture as it can harm its composition by reacting with the plastic.
Keep a track of the day in which you have purchased the bottle or have made the tincture. Always keep a record of the dates (when you have made them) or their expiry date (if you are buying it from stores.) Always keep a record of the date of the perishability of the individual ingredient that you have used in the production of a tincture.
Are Cannabis Tinctures Economical?
Tinctures are very economical as they contain a very little amount of cannabis and only a few grams (or ml) of alcohol. Also, they last for a long time as you only have to take 2-3 drops of it and that will be enough for you to feel its psychotropic effect.
You can produce a good amount of tincture with a little number of ingredients available. Only a few grams of cannabis and alcohol are needed for a one-time production and the rest you can save for the next time.
The equipment which is required in the production of tinctures is easily available at home. You can use mason jars like jams or pickle jars. For a dark bottle, to store the solution, take any empty medicine bottle or buy it from the local or medical stores as they are easily available. You can also use the serum bottles that are opaque too.
Are Cannabis Tinctures Safe to Consume?
Most people have used cannabis tinctures not just to get some psychoactive effect but for general wellness. People who have lung problems or respiratory problems often find it difficult to smoke joints, so they prefer using cannabis tinctures.
Cannabis tinctures are also used to treat several medical conditions like pain, anxiety, depression, psychosis, cancer cell growth, insomnia, migraines, seizures, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions.
Cannabis tinctures are very safe to consume in public as you will not draw any unwanted attention. Smoking joints or bongs result in leaving some scent around you that can lead to several problems.
But tinctures, on the other hand, do not leave their scent behind. As well as 2-3 doses of cannabis tincture will make you relaxed but will not let you lose your sense of consciousness.