One of the most precise ways of consuming medical marijuana is through tinctures. For those who are not aware of what tinctures are- Tinctures are basically medicines made by dissolving a drug in alcohol. They usually contain a high %age of alcohol and come in glass bottles with droppers.

Tinctures are often regarded as one of the best, yet most underrated, delivery methods for cannabis. The dropper ensures precise doses with minimal effort. Nonetheless, not many people are familiar with its usage, despite its origin dating back well before the pre-Prohibition era.

Here is everything that you must know about tinctures:

Quick relief

Tinctures are generally consumed by placing a few drops beneath the tongue, a procedure better known as the sublingual administration. This method is a boon for those who want rapid relief from their symptoms/condition, with minimum effort.

The tissues under the tongue start absorbing the medicine into the arterial system as soon as the drops are placed. All you need to do is just sit back and wait for the desired effects to take over.

Tinctures have stood the test of time

Cannabis tinctures were present even when there was no aspirin. In fact, they were widely used before cannabis was prohibited.

Notably, cannabis-infused extracts (tinctures) were listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia as a treatment for several conditions, including tonsillitis, tetanus, gout, menstrual cramps, alcoholism, cholera, arthritis, etc.

Green-Flower reports that patented cannabis tinctures were even sold over the counter in the early 20th century.

Are great topicals

Since cannabis topicals have a lot of filler and very low cannabinoid content, they sometimes fail to deliver what they promise.

Alternatively, tinctures are highly effective even when used as topicals. Although not much research is available to support the claim, many anecdotal accounts point towards the deduction that acid cannabinoid (THCA and CBDA) tinctures can help treat muscle sprains, bruises, sunburns, psoriasis and many other skin conditions.

The different kinds

Cannabis tinctures are flexible, that is, it is not necessary for them to contain alcohol. They can very well have olive oil, glycerin, MCT oil, etc. as the solvent.

Although there is some debate in the cannabis world regarding which type of tincture is the best, you certainly can’t go wrong with olive oil in terms of health and better shelf life.

Tinctures provide many options

Depending on the kind of cannabinoid(s) you require for treating your condition, you can opt from a wide variety of cannabis tinctures. There are dedicated CBDA, CBD, THC, THCA, etc. tinctures available for purchase depending on the legality of cannabis in your state.

Low in Calorie

If obesity and weight-gain are one of your biggest health concerns and you are still consuming cannabis via edibles like infused sweets and brownies, then we think you should switch over to tinctures.

Notably, a cannabis-infused brownie may boast up to 170 (or more) calories. Therefore, tinctures are a better low-calorie alternative.

Odorless & Unnoticeable

Some people are shy when it comes to using marijuana. They want to keep it low-key and feel embarrassed when others notice them consuming it even if it’s for medicinal purpose. Therefore, a cannabis tincture is perhaps one of the best solutions for this group.

Furthermore, since tinctures do not produce any noticeable odor, feel free to use them at any place without the fear of bothering others.

Sometimes when using a dropper is not an option, patients can insert their tincture solution into gelatin capsules. Swallowing your tincture, however, isn’t similar to placing the drops under your tongue as it has now become an edible and will take a longer time to bring relief than it was originally intended.

Tinctures need care

Darkness, cold temperature and airtight glass containers are the three pre-requisites to maintain a cannabis tincture, as heat and light have the tendency to destroy cannabinoids.

Wondering if plastic can be used to store tinctures?

No, you should never use any plastic container for your tinctures as it can compromise the infusions over time.

Efficient cannabinoid and terpene absorption

As stated earlier, the sublingual administration of tinctures puts the medicine directly into your bloodstream, as opposed to ingesting which takes relatively longer.

Hence, with tinctures, the positive effects can be felt within just 15 minutes, lasting at least 2-3 hours. Also note that if the tincture is well-made, you’ll get a much more efficient cannabinoids/terpene absorption rate than via any other consumption method.

The Bottom Line

Given that cannabis tinctures can come in handy for so many purposes, it’s better to at least give it a try and make a transition from other methods of consumption, like smoking, vaping, edibles, etc.