July 28, 2024

Cannabis Tincture Guide For Beginners

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In the wide world of cannabis products filled with gummies, baked goodies, vape pens, and capsules, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about cannabis tinctures. These liquid gold extractions are versatile, discrete, and highly concentrated, packing a lot of benefits into every single drop.

For anyone who hasn’t received a formal introduction to cannabis tinctures, this is it. We’re about to cover tincture benefits, how to use them, and all the different types.

What Is a Cannabis Tincture?

man holding the dropper of a cannabis tincture

A cannabis tincture is a liquid extract created by soaking cannabis flowers in a solvent, like high-proof alcohol, oil, or (less commonly) glycerin. This process naturally extracts the active cannabinoids like THC, CBD, terpenes, and other beneficial plant compounds.

Tinctures may be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or as an edible. When dissolved under the tongue, a tincture's effects kick in within 15 to 30 minutes. When swallowed with food, it takes around 45 to 60 minutes to feel the effects.

Most cannabis tinctures come in small bottles with a dropper incorporated into the lid. The dropper makes it easy to get a predictable and consistent serving, and many people prefer them to smoking or vaping.

Cannabis Tincture Benefits

Tinctures are loved by people seeking a euphoric experience as well as those looking for specific benefits. So, why choose a cannabis tincture over a vape or an infused edible treat?

Versatility

There's more than one way to crack an egg, and there is more than one way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis tinctures. The fastest, easiest way is placing a few drops under your tongue and letting it absorb. You can also easily add a few drops to your favorite food or drink to make it more in line with a conventional edible.

Increased Bioavailability

With Hometown Hero’s cannabis tinctures, which are made with organic MCT oil, you'll enjoy increased bioavailability. This is because cannabinoids like THC and CBD are lipophilic (fat-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) molecules. When consumed with fats or oils, they dissolve more readily, increasing their solubility and absorption potential.

Clean Ingredients

You wouldn't be the first person to think about the sugar content of a THC-infused gummy or the possible lung irritation from a smokable product. Easy on the lungs, with no added sugars — this is why tinctures are so popular with the health-conscious crowd.

Fast Onset of Effects

Although many people like edibles' potent effects, not everyone likes to wait around for over an hour for them to come on. One of the most beautiful characteristics of a cannabis tincture is that if you allow it to absorb under your tongue (sublingual application), the effects skip the delays of the digestive tract, taking only 15 to 30 minutes to set in.

How To Use Cannabis Tinctures

There are three ways to use cannabis tinctures: sublingually, in food and drink, or applied topically. Here is how each of these routes of administration work and the best use case for each.

Sublingually

Best For: Rapid relief

The most straightforward method of using a cannabis tincture is through sublingual absorption. Use the measuring dropper to place the desired serving under your tongue, then let it slowly absorb into the lining of your mouth. Wait about 20 seconds, then swallow.

In Food or Drink

man dropping cannabis oil into his cup of tea

Best For: Larger servings

Not everyone enjoys the flavor or mouthfeel of an oily tincture under their tongue. Instead, why not add a few drops of tincture to your hot tea, healthy smoothie, or morning oatmeal? Combining it with a snack helps disguise the tincture's natural qualities, but it does delay the onset of effects. When swallowed, cannabinoids must travel through the digestive tract before being absorbed into the bloodstream, and this may take an hour or more.

Applied Topically

Best For: Targeted relief

Hometown Hero’s MCT oil-based tinctures also work for topical applications. Place a few drops into the palm of your hand, then gently massage into the skin.

Keep in mind: With this method, cannabinoids don't penetrate into the bloodstream, so any effects will stay localized to the area of application. This is useful if you're seeking to avoid any euphoric, psychoactive effects.

Cannabis Tincture Effects & Duration

Every cannabinoid comes with a unique set of effects, ranging from euphoric to calming. From Delta-8 THC Tinctures to CBDA + CBGA Tinctures, the effects of tinctures depend entirely on what's inside the bottle.

Plus, you'll encounter bottles with a variety of concentrations. Our Delta-8 tinctures, for example, contain 600mg of Delta-8, equating to roughly 25mg of Delta-8 per 1ml.

What other effects can you expect? Beyond cannabinoid and concentration differences, the effects (specifically, the duration and onset of those effects) depends on how you've taken it.

For comparison's sake, let's compare the timeframes of tinctures with other common methods:

Sublingual Tinctures

Onset: 15 to 30 minutes
Duration: 2 to 6 hours

Tinctures in Food or Drink

Onset: 45 to 60 minutes
Duration: 2 to 6 hours

Edibles and Gummies

Onset: 60 to 90 minutes
Duration: 6 hours or more

Smoked or Vaped

Onset: A few seconds to a few minutes
Duration: 2 to 4 hours

Types of Cannabis Tinctures

If one thing is certain about cannabis tinctures, it is that there is a tincture for just about everything. From marijuana to hemp-derived and full-spectrum to insolates, here are just a few of the types you'll come across.

Marijuana Tinctures

Derived from cannabis plants that contain more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, these are classified as marijuana under federal regulations. Marijuana tinctures often contain high concentrations of THC, delivering powerful euphoric effects. Because of the source, marijuana tinctures are illegal under federal law and remain illegal in many states.

CBD Tinctures

Derived from plants that contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, CBD tinctures are federally legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill. CBD tinctures do not cause any euphoric effects. Instead, they are mellow, with relaxing and calming effects.

Delta-8 Tinctures

Another hemp-derived tincture that is legal under federal law is Delta-8. These tinctures contain a concentration of Delta-8 THC, which is less powerful than its Delta-9 cousin cannabinoid yet still extremely pleasant. A drop of these products can provide a blend of soothing relief and mild psychoactive effects, though everyone’s experience will vary.

Full-Spectrum Tinctures

Full-spectrum cannabis tinctures contain the complete cannabinoid and terpene profile of the original source material. CBD tinctures specifically are often full-spectrum to capitalize on the potential benefits of the entourage effect, which suggests greater benefits from compounds working in concert rather than in isolation. Full-spectrum tinctures often contain THC (although usually imperceptible levels of less than 0.3%).

Broad-Spectrum Tinctures

Broad-spectrum tinctures also capture the full profile of the original plant but have had the THC removed. These THC-free products still provide synergistic benefits from many compounds working together, but depending on your circumstances, they may be more appropriate with the THC removed.

Isolate Tinctures

Tinctures containing a singular distilled cannabinoid are called isolates. These tinctures help target issues or effects with a particular cannabinoid, whether CBD, THC, or something else entirely.

How To Find High-Quality Cannabis Tinctures

Chances are if you are looking into cannabis tinctures, you're already feeling overwhelmed by choice. With so many options out there, how can you check for quality, cannabinoid content, and efficacy? Start here.

Certificate of Analysis (COAs)

Whatever you choose to buy, always ensure it comes with a batch-specific COA. This document is provided following testing at a third-party laboratory, which confirms that what's inside the bottle matches the label. A Certificate of Analysis also ensures no dangerous contaminants, like solvents or pesticides, are present.

Natural Carrier Liquids

Tinctures are made with a carrier liquid: food-grade alcohol, oil, or (rarely) glycerin. Each carrier comes with unique properties.

Hometown Hero’s tinctures are all made with organic MCT oil for a smooth taste without the burn. As a fat, MCT oil also increases the tincture's bioavailability.

Commitment to Safety Standards

There are more than a few nefarious shops online, so it's important to buy from those that you trust. We are committed to organic and sustainable cultivation practices and manufacture all our products in a GMP-certified facility. If you have questions about our cannabis tinctures or production process, don't be afraid to reach out.

Call us at (512) 551-0345, or use the Live Chat!

Storing Cannabis Tinctures

A final note on cannabis tinctures: storage. Like other botanically derived products, tinctures are sensitive to light and temperature changes. To maintain the cannabinoid contents and the product's efficacy, always store your tinctures in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Hometown Hero Tinctures: Fast-Onset in Just a Few Drops

trio of hometown hero delta-8 thc tinctures

Cannabis tinctures provide a versatile, fast-acting, and discreet way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis, and all it takes is just a few drops.

At Hometown Hero, our growing line of tinctures is crafted with organic MCT oil and supported by comprehensive Certificates of Analysis (COAs). This ensures precision and consistent effects you can trust. From our Delta-8 THC Tinctures to CBDA + CBGA Tinctures, try the full range of experiences.

And until next time: Mind your mind.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.