A cannabis tincture is a liquid cannabis extract made by soaking decarboxylated flower in a solvent, usually high-proof alcohol or food-grade glycerin, then straining out the plant material. The basic DIY recipe is simple: decarb the cannabis, combine it with the solvent in a sealed jar, give it time or gentle heat, strain, and bottle. Most cannabis tincture recipes differ only in ratios, steeping time, and how careful the maker is about dosing.
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Why make a tincture instead of edibles
Tinctures are easy to measure by dropper, absorb under the tongue, and keep well when stored away from light and heat. They also let you adjust a single dose without baking a whole tray of brownies. The tradeoff is that a homemade tincture has no lab test and no label, so potency is an estimate.
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Check the rules where you live first
Home cannabis extraction is regulated differently from possession. Some states allow it, others restrict concentrated homemade products, and working with 151 to 190 proof alcohol adds fire risk. Check your state and local rules, work in a ventilated space, and keep all flames and sparks away from the jar.
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What you need
- Dried, cured cannabis flower or trim
- High-proof neutral alcohol (151 or 190 proof) or food-grade vegetable glycerin
- Glass jars with tight lids, cheesecloth, fine mesh strainer, funnel
- Amber dropper bottles for storage
- Baking sheet, parchment paper, oven, and a thermometer
Step 1: Decarboxylate the cannabis
Raw flower contains THCA and CBDA, which are not intoxicating. Heat converts them into THC and CBD, and skipping this step is the most common reason a homemade tincture feels weak. Home cooks typically spread ground flower in a single layer on parchment and bake it between 220 degrees F and 240 degrees F for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring once. The color should shift from green to lightly toasted, not black.
Step 2: Pick your solvent
Alcohol tincture
Alcohol pulls cannabinoids fast and produces a shelf-stable liquid that works well under the tongue. Put the decarbed flower in a jar, cover it with alcohol, and seal it. A common home starting point is roughly 1 gram of flower per 1 ounce of alcohol, adjusted to taste. Shake daily for two to four weeks in a cool, dark cabinet, or speed things up with a warm water bath over low heat for a few hours. Keep the lid on, because alcohol evaporates.
Glycerin tincture
Vegetable glycerin is alcohol-free and mildly sweet, which makes it gentler under the tongue. It extracts more slowly and less completely, so expect a milder result and a longer steep, often four to eight weeks with regular shaking. Some makers blend glycerin with a small amount of alcohol to improve extraction.
A note on oil infusions
Coconut oil and MCT oil infusions are sometimes called tinctures, but they are technically oils. They work well in food and drinks, though they do not absorb under the tongue the way an alcohol tincture does.
Step 3: Strain and store
Line a strainer with cheesecloth, pour the mixture through, and press the plant material to recover as much liquid as you can. Strain twice if you want a clearer product. Bottle in amber glass dropper bottles, label the date and the recipe, and store in a cool, dark place. Alcohol tinctures hold up for a long time. Glycerin tinctures are best refrigerated and used within several months.
Dosing is the part most recipes skip
Without lab testing, you are estimating. In regulated US markets, 10 mg of THC is a standard edible serving, and 2.5 to 5 mg is often suggested as a starting point for new users. A homemade dropper can deliver far more than that in a single squeeze. Start with one drop, wait at least two hours before adding more, and never drive after dosing. Keep tinctures locked away from children and pets.
Common mistakes
- Skipping decarboxylation or rushing it
- Using weak alcohol that extracts poorly
- Storing the jar in direct sunlight
- Guessing a dose instead of starting small
- Using flower that shows mold or mildew
Serving ideas
Place a measured drop under the tongue and hold it for a minute. You can also stir it into tea, coffee, or a cocktail, though heat and alcohol content will change how it tastes and how fast it hits. Write down what you used and how it felt, so the next batch is easier to repeat.