Tinctures are the oldest cannabis preparation — drops under the tongue that hit in 15–30 minutes instead of the 1–2 hour edible wait. They were in the US Pharmacopoeia until 1942. Making them at home is simple.
Two paths: alcohol vs. oil
| Method | Onset | Duration | Taste | Shelf life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (ethanol) | 15–30 min sublingual | 2–4 hours | Strong, herbal-burn | 5+ years |
| MCT/coconut oil | 20–45 min sublingual | 3–5 hours | Mild, oily | 2–3 months fridge |
Alcohol extracts more completely and lasts longer. Oil tastes better and avoids alcohol entirely. Both work.
Green Dragon — classic alcohol tincture
What you need
- High-proof food-grade ethanol: Everclear 190 (95%) is the standard. 151-proof works but extracts slower.
- Decarbed cannabis (7–14g per 2 oz / 60 mL of alcohol)
- Mason jar with lid
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Dark dropper bottles for storage
Quick method (3 minutes)
- Decarb flower at 240 °F for 40–45 minutes.
- Place decarbed flower in a mason jar.
- Pour enough Everclear to just cover the material.
- Shake vigorously for 3 minutes. That's it.
- Strain through cheesecloth into a dark glass bottle.
The quick method pulls THC efficiently without extracting as much chlorophyll. Longer soaks (days/weeks) produce stronger but harsher, greener tinctures.
Long-soak method (traditional)
- Decarb flower. Place in mason jar.
- Cover with Everclear. Seal.
- Store in a dark, cool place for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain and bottle.
This produces a more complete extraction — stronger, but darker and more bitter.
FECO — Full Extract Cannabis Oil
FECO (also called RSO-style) is a super-concentrated tincture where you evaporate the alcohol, leaving a thick, dark oil.
- Make a Green Dragon tincture (long-soak method).
- Pour into a wide, shallow dish.
- Place in a well-ventilated area (or outdoors) and let the alcohol evaporate naturally. A gentle fan speeds it up.
- When it stops bubbling and becomes thick like tar, scrape it into a silicone container.
NEVER use heat or open flame to evaporate alcohol. Ethanol vapor is extremely flammable. Ventilation is non-negotiable.
A gram of FECO can contain 600–800+ mg THC. Dose it in rice-grain-sized amounts.
MCT oil tincture (no alcohol)
- Decarb flower at 240 °F for 40–45 minutes.
- Combine with MCT oil in a mason jar (7g per 2 oz oil).
- Place the jar in a pot of simmering water (double-boiler style).
- Hold at 160–180 °F for 2–3 hours.
- Strain through cheesecloth into a dark dropper bottle.
- Refrigerate.
MCT tinctures absorb faster than other oils sublingual and work well in capsules.
How to use
- Sublingual: Hold drops under your tongue for 60–90 seconds before swallowing. This bypasses digestion and hits faster (15–30 min).
- In food/drink: Add drops to coffee, smoothies, or recipes. Onset is like an edible (45–120 min).
- Topical: Alcohol tinctures can be applied to skin (for localized discomfort, not intoxication).
Dosing
Start with 0.25 mL (about 5 drops) and wait 2 hours. Tincture strength varies wildly based on your flower, ratio, and method. Keep a log of drops → effects until you find your dose.
Label every bottle: date, strain, method, estimated mg/mL.
Storage
- Alcohol tinctures in dark glass last years at room temperature.
- Oil tinctures last 2–3 months refrigerated.
- Both degrade in light and heat — dark bottles, cool storage.