Commonly referred to as “green dragon” before Prohibition, tinctures are alcoholic extracts of THC and other cannabinoids. And despite the fact that their namesake breathes fire, they’re a smokeless form of cannabis consumption. Until cannabis was banned in the United States, tinctures were the predominant form of cannabis medicine.
To use a tincture, simply apply a drop underneath the tongue. Compared to an edible, the tincture high onset is relatively quick; you should start feeling the effects within 15 to 30 minutes. This is because the arterial blood supply absorbs THC quickly. However, if you essentially drink the tincture, it’ll take about as long as an edible because it will be processed through the liver. It’s recommended to start your dose a 1 mL and wait, as if you were dosing an edible. If nothing happens, amp up your dose another milliliter until you feel comfortable.
The old-fashioned method of producing a cannabis tincture is pretty straightforward: After decarboxylating your finely-ground flower (as it’ll increase the amount of THC absorbed by the alcohol), mix your cannabis product with high-proof alcohol. Let it sit for a few weeks, shaking it up every now and then, and finally strain it through a coffee filter. Compared to edibles, tinctures can last an extremely long time, so don’t worry about making a large batch.
