How to Make Cannabis Tincture at Home
Ingredients
- 7-14 grams decarboxylated cannabis flower
- 2 cups high-proof grain alcohol (190-proof Everclear preferred) OR food-grade vegetable glycerin
- Mason jar with tight-fitting lid
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Dark glass dropper bottles for storage
- Optional: coffee filters for secondary straining
- Labels for finished product
What Makes Tinctures Unique Among Cannabis Products
Cannabis tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts that have been used medicinally for over a century — cannabis tincture was actually listed in the US Pharmacopoeia from 1850 until prohibition in 1942. Today, tinctures are experiencing a resurgence because they offer a unique combination of benefits: precise milligram dosing with a calibrated dropper, rapid sublingual absorption (15-30 minutes), long shelf life, discretion, and versatility. Making tinctures at home is straightforward, cost-effective, and produces a product that can last over a year when stored properly. The two main methods are alcohol extraction (using high-proof grain alcohol like Everclear) and glycerin extraction. Alcohol is the superior solvent, extracting a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes more efficiently, producing a more potent tincture with a longer shelf life. Glycerin is alcohol-free and sweeter-tasting, making it preferred by those who avoid alcohol, but it is a less efficient extractor, resulting in milder tinctures. Both methods produce a finished product that can be used sublingually, added to food and drinks, or used as the base for other preparations like gummies and infused syrups.
Quick Alcohol Extraction Method (2-3 Hours)
The quick method produces a potent tincture in hours rather than weeks. Place your decarboxylated cannabis in a mason jar and pour enough high-proof grain alcohol to cover the plant material by about half an inch. Seal the jar tightly. Place the sealed jar in a warm water bath — not on direct heat, but in a pot of water that has been heated to 170 degrees Fahrenheit then removed from the stove. The residual warmth speeds extraction. Alternatively, place the sealed jar in a pot of water on the lowest possible heat setting, maintaining the water at 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Never allow the alcohol to boil (ethanol boils at 173 degrees Fahrenheit) as this is a fire hazard and will evaporate your solvent. Shake the jar every 20 minutes. Continue the warm extraction for 2 to 3 hours. The liquid will turn dark green as cannabinoids and chlorophyll are extracted. Strain through cheesecloth, then through a coffee filter for a cleaner final product. If the flavor is too strong, you can reduce chlorophyll by performing a secondary filtration through activated charcoal, though this may also remove some cannabinoids. Store in dark glass dropper bottles away from light and heat.
Traditional Cold Extraction Method (2-4 Weeks)
The cold extraction method, also called the maceration method, requires more time but produces a milder-flavored tincture with potentially better terpene preservation. Combine decarboxylated cannabis and high-proof alcohol in a mason jar, ensuring the cannabis is fully submerged. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place — a kitchen cupboard or closet works well. Shake the jar vigorously once daily for 2 to 4 weeks. The longer you extract, the more compounds (including chlorophyll) will be pulled into solution. A 2-week extraction produces a cleaner-tasting product, while 4 weeks maximizes potency. Some practitioners use a freezer extraction variation: after combining cannabis and alcohol, place the sealed jar in the freezer. The extreme cold helps trichomes separate from plant material and reduces chlorophyll extraction, producing a lighter-colored, better-tasting tincture. Shake the freezer jar once daily for 5 to 7 days — the cold slows extraction but reduces bitter flavors. Regardless of cold method chosen, strain through cheesecloth and coffee filters when the extraction period is complete. For a glycerin tincture, follow the same process using food-grade vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol, but extend the cold extraction time to 4 to 8 weeks due to glycerin's lower extraction efficiency.
Calculating Tincture Potency and Dosing
Knowing your tincture's potency is essential for safe, consistent dosing. Start by calculating total THC in your starting material: grams of cannabis x THC percentage x 1000 x 0.85 (decarb efficiency factor) = total mg THC. For example: 14 grams of 20% THC flower = 14 x 0.20 x 1000 x 0.85 = 2380mg THC. Assume approximately 80-90% extraction efficiency for alcohol, giving you roughly 1900-2140mg of THC in the finished tincture. If your final volume after straining is 2 cups (approximately 480mL), the concentration is approximately 4-4.5mg per mL. A standard dropper (1mL) delivers one full dropper of approximately 4-4.5mg THC — a reasonable starting dose for most users. To increase concentration, you can use more cannabis, use less alcohol, or gently evaporate some alcohol from the finished tincture by leaving the container open in a well-ventilated area (not near heat or flame) until the desired volume is reached. Reducing from 480mL to 240mL doubles the concentration to approximately 8-9mg per mL. Always test new batches starting with a small dose and waiting 30 to 45 minutes for sublingual absorption before taking more. Mark your bottles with the estimated concentration and preparation date.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Usage Tips
Proper storage maximizes tincture potency and shelf life. Alcohol-based tinctures are remarkably shelf-stable: stored in dark glass bottles in a cool, dark location, they maintain potency for 1 to 2 years or longer. The alcohol itself acts as a preservative, preventing microbial growth. Glycerin tinctures have a shorter shelf life of approximately 6 to 12 months due to glycerin's lower preservative properties. Regardless of base, store tinctures away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which degrade cannabinoids over time. Dark amber or cobalt blue glass dropper bottles are ideal. For sublingual use, place your measured dose under the tongue and hold for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing — the thin tissue under the tongue allows direct absorption into the bloodstream. For a milder, longer-lasting effect, simply swallow the tincture or add it to food and drinks, where it will be processed like an edible. Cannabis tinctures are an excellent base for making other products: add measured amounts to gummy recipes, infuse simple syrup for beverages, mix with lotion bases for topicals, or fill capsules for odorless, tasteless dosing. For cannabis investors following the market on CannaCap, tinctures represent a significant product category — several publicly traded companies have built their brands primarily around tincture products, making it a segment worth watching in quarterly earnings reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof alcohol should I use for cannabis tincture?
190-proof (95%) grain alcohol like Everclear is ideal because its high alcohol content extracts the widest range of cannabinoids most efficiently. If 190-proof is unavailable in your state, 151-proof is acceptable but slightly less effective. Do not use isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol — these are toxic and not for consumption.
Can I make tincture without alcohol?
Yes. Food-grade vegetable glycerin is the most common alcohol-free alternative. Glycerin tinctures are sweeter and gentler on the palate but less potent because glycerin is a less efficient solvent. Extraction takes longer (4-8 weeks for cold method). MCT oil is another alcohol-free option, though technically this creates an infused oil rather than a traditional tincture.
How many drops of tincture should I take?
It depends entirely on the concentration of your tincture. Calculate your mg/mL concentration, then measure accordingly. For beginners, start with a dose delivering 2.5-5mg THC. A standard dropper holds 1mL, which is approximately 20-30 drops. If your tincture is 5mg/mL, 10-15 drops (0.5mL) delivers approximately 2.5mg.
Does cannabis tincture get you high?
THC-based tinctures will produce psychoactive effects if taken in sufficient quantities. Sublingual absorption produces effects in 15-30 minutes. The intensity depends on dosage — 2.5mg may produce subtle effects while 25mg will produce significant intoxication for most users. CBD-only tinctures do not produce a high.
How long does homemade cannabis tincture last?
Alcohol-based tinctures stored in dark glass bottles in a cool, dark location last 1-2 years or longer. The alcohol acts as a natural preservative. Glycerin-based tinctures last 6-12 months. Signs of degradation include changes in color, smell, or taste. Refrigeration extends shelf life for both types.
Related Recipes
Explore More
Disclaimer: This recipe is for educational purposes only and is intended for use where cannabis is legal. Always calculate and label dosage carefully. Keep all cannabis products away from children and pets.