September 21, 2021

Tinctures vs. Edibles: Which is Better?

For those seeking alternatives to inhaled products, cannabis edibles and tinctures are two highly effective options. Both provide precision, consistency, and discretion with every serving, but each comes with unique nuances when it comes to onset times, duration, cost, and ingredients.

The truth is, when it comes to cannabis, everyone's preferences are completely different. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the tinctures vs. edibles debate. But for anyone trying to make an informed decision for themselves, we hope the information gathered below will make the choice easy.

Tinctures: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Fast Onset of Effects	Shorter Duration of Effects
Versatility	Taste
Discreet	Alcohol Content*
Simple Ingredients	Less Convenient
Cost-Effective

*Hometown Hero’s tinctures are all alcohol-free.

If you've ever tried a full-spectrum CBD oil, that's technically a tincture. A cannabis tincture is a liquid extract created by soaking cannabis flowers in a solvent like high-proof alcohol, oil, or glycerin. This method extracts active cannabinoids like THC ,CBD, and other beneficial compounds.

Tinctures come in small bottles with a dropper, allowing for precise and consistent delivery. Many people favor tinctures as an alternative to smoking or vaping.

Onset of Effects

Tinctures taken via sublingual application come on much faster than edibles because they don't travel through the digestive tract. If you place a few drops of tincture under your tongue to absorb, you can expect effects to begin within 15 to 30 minutes. This is because the active ingredients penetrate through your mouth's lining and immediately enter the bloodstream.

If you take tinctures mixed in with food or drink, however, the effects are more in line with edibles, with an onset time of 60 to 90 minutes.

Duration and Intensity

Depending on potency and individual physiology, there will always be some variation in how long tinctures last. In general, you can expect the effects of tinctures to linger between two to six hours. This is less than the duration of edibles.

Versatility

Tinctures are incredibly versatile. If swallowed, they operate like edibles, but for a more rapid onset of effects, you can put a few drops under your tongue. Oil-based THC tinctures, like ours, also have topical applications; simply apply a few drops and gently massage them into your skin for localized relief.

Quality of Ingredients

Fundamentally, tinctures are a simple product: essentially just cannabis extract, a carrier ingredient, and (sometimes) flavoring. Carrier ingredients are either food-grade alcohol, oil, or glycerin. At Hometown Hero, all our tinctures contain all-natural flavors and no added sugar. The carrier is organic MCT oil, a healthy, natural oil derived from coconuts.

Cost-Effectiveness

Tinctures are priced according to quality, brand, concentration, and ingredients. Overall, they are typically more affordable per serving than edibles.

Here's what that looks like for our CBDA + CBGA Tincture, which is $89 for 30ml of product. This works out to $3 per milliliter. Our DDelta-8 THC Tinctures are $49 for 30ml of product, or $1.7 per milliliter.

Edibles: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Long-Lasting Effects	Slow Onset of Effects
Intense Effects	Higher Caloric Content
Convenient	Less Cost-Effective
Discreet and Portable	Shorter Shelf Life
Consistent Potency and Serving Sizes

Edibles are cannabis-infused foods that contain THC, CBD, and/or other cannabinoids extracted from the plant. These products can be either homemade or purchased and come in many forms, including baked goods, gummies, candies, chocolate, and drinks.

When made by a trusted manufacturer, edibles contain precise, consistent servings of targeted cannabinoids and deliver long-lasting effects.

Onset Time

Unlike smoking or vaping, where the effects are felt almost immediately, edibles have a much longer onset time. The effects also take longer than sublingual products like tinctures. With edibles, it takes upwards of 90 minutes for the active ingredients to travel through the digestive system.

Duration and Intensity

Again, it depends on the product and active ingredients, but one of the reasons why people love edibles is their intensity. Because of how our bodies process edibles, their effects can be more intensely euphoric and relaxing. But this can also mean more intense unwanted effects if you eat too many.

How long will the effects last? An edible experience frequently lasts for six hours or more, depending on the person, serving, and cannabinoids.

Versatility

Edibles are designed to be eaten; it's as simple as that. You can use them as a garnish or eat them just as intended, but the effects come from ingesting the product.

Quality of Ingredients

There are a wide range of edibles, and therefore, there are many possible ingredients. Some may be healthier than others. Many infused gummies, candies, and baked goods contain high levels of fructose, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and a lot of calories. But there are always healthier alternatives.

Hometown Hero's edibles are made from top-shelf, premium ingredients, and our gummies are vegan and gluten-free. If you are looking for a better option, our edibles make for a guilt-free choice.

Cost-Effectiveness

Edibles are slightly more expensive on a per-serving basis than tinctures, although this depends on the brand, potency, cannabinoid content, and serving size. Even if they are slightly more expensive, many people find it worth having a ready-to-go, tasty, high-powered option in their pocket.

Our gummies range in price from $30 to $60 for a package of ten. It works out to $3 per piece for our Delta-8 THC Relief gummies, which have 25mg of Delta-8 each. For our Delta-9 Live Rosin Absolute Gummies, which have 25mg of Delta-9 THC and 5mg of live rosin each, it’s $6 per piece.

Which Is Better? Edibles vs. Tinctures

While some individuals love the simple ingredients and rapid onset of effects from cannabis tinctures, others prefer the sweet taste and longer-lasting effects of edibles. Clearly, there can never be a winner in the battle between edibles vs. tinctures.

"For everything, there is a season" is especially true when it comes to tinctures and edibles. Find what works for your mood, schedule, and current vibration with our ever-growing lineup of cannabis-infused options at Hometown Hero.

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.