What is a tincture?

What is a tincture?

A cannabis tincture is an infusion of cannabis into a liquid, typically food-grade alcohol or glycerin. Oil can also be used as a base.

By placing cannabis flower or extracts into one of these liquids, its cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, delta-8, and more, are absorbed into the liquid, which can then be consumed. Cannabis compounds can also be extracted from flower and then added to a liquid to create a tincture. Terpenes and other compounds can also be absorbed or added to a tincture.

Tinctures are prized for their discreetness, and because they’re fast-acting—they are typically consumed sublingually, and blood vessels under the tongue take the tincture directly into the bloodstream and up to the brain quickly.

What are tinctures used for?

People take tinctures for a variety of reasons. Medicinally, they can be taken for relief of certain symptoms, such as pain or nausea, or for treating insomnia.

Tinctures can also be taken simply to get high. People particularly love them for their discreetness and fast-acting effects. They are also easy to dose and great for microdosing.

Types of tinctures

Tinctures can be full-spectrum, meaning they are comprised of all the compounds in a given weed strain—cannabinoids, terpenes, and more.

They can also contain single, isolated compounds, such as THC, CBD, or others, or a mix of compounds. These types of tinctures often have essential oils, terpenes, or other compounds added to them for additional effects.

Some common tinctures include:

  • High THC
  • High CBD
  • Mix of THC and CBD
  • Full-spectrum
  • Hemp-derived, such as CBD, delta-8, and more

How to calculate the strength of a tincture

Tinctures are easy to dose because they usually come with a dropper attached to the lid. Many have measurements written out on the side of the dropper. A standard dose is about half a dropper, or about .5 mL. For a milder dose, take less, such as .25 mL, and for a stronger dose, take more, such as 1.0 mL.

If you’re new to tinctures, we recommend starting low and going slow—take a little bit and wait and see how the effects hit you, then take more if desired. You won’t have to wait long for a tincture to kick in.

Tinctures are also great for microdosing, or taking a little bit frequently throughout the day.

Where to buy tinctures

Most weed stores in legal states have some tinctures, but they are more rare than other forms of cannabis so a store may have limited options.

Tinctures derived from hemp, for example, hemp-derived CBD or delta-8 products, may be found at some drug stores or wellness shops as well. These can also be bought online in certain states, but check your local laws to be certain.

Cannabis tinctures 101: How to make, consume, and dose them

In the landscape of cannabis innovations, including rosin vape pens, transdermal topicals, and nanotechnology beverages, tried-and-true classic products can get overlooked.

What is a cannabis tincture?

A tincture in the most basic sense is a cannabis extract, in which a liquid is infused with cannabis, meant for sublingual consumption, not vaporization or smoking. The cannabis plant soaks in a base liquid, such as food-grade alcohol, glycerin, or even oil, and after days of steeping, the plant matter is strained out and—voilà! The cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds have melded with the base liquid, ready to dose and consume.

Technically, the term “tincture” specifically refers to an alcohol-based product and one made with oil or glycerin is an “infusion,” but we’re using it as an umbrella term here.

In the adult-use market, tinctures typically come in 1 fl oz (30mL) glass bottles with droppers to administer low and consistent doses. Because they are not considered a food item, they can exceed the 100 mg THC cap on edibles in many markets.

Tinctures may not seem as fun or innovative as a gummy or a dab, but they have a multitude of health benefits while still offering a comfortable, intoxicating experience.

Tincture vs. edibles

While both tinctures and edibles require ingestion to work, they enter the bloodstream via different bodily systems and will have distinct effects.

Edibles require digestion and are processed in the stomach and liver, and enzymes in the liver enhance the effects of ingested THC. Tinctures do not pass through the liver and are absorbed under the tongue, so while the high will be more immediate, it won’t be as strong.

What are moon rocks and how do you smoke them?

cannabis moon rocks
Moon rocks.

Have you ever been so high that you couldn’t feel your eyebrows, even when you physically touch them? If not, try smoking moon rocks and I guarantee you’ll get there. Two months after the first time smoking them, I was still unable to locate my facial features. (Worth it, by the way.)

What are moon rocks?

The origin of moon rocks (the weed kind) is a bit fuzzy, but rumors abound that the dispensary Starbudz760 first concocted them, with legendary West Coast rapper Kurupt popularizing the product and trademarking his own version called Kurupt Moonrock.

Moon rocks are a THC megazord: They are cannabis buds dipped in hash oil, then rolled in kief. Historically GSC is used, but any strain will suffice.

How potent are moon rocks?

Though the potency of each batch of moon rocks varies and depends on how it’s made and who produces it, the general consensus is that they hover around 50% THC. For reference, most flower averages around 20% THC. Each hit is damn near its own experience.

And the high? Oh buddy, oh pal, don’t even get me started on the high. Starting in the head and eventually spreading throughout the entire body, down to your toes, a moon rock high is a slow burn that will make you realize you’ve reached a mountaintop that you may not be ready to climb.

I once smoked a gram of moon rocks at 5pm, and when I woke up the next morning at 7 am, I was still on Mars waiting for the train back to Earth.

Pros and cons of smoking moon rocks

Pros:

  • They will get you super duper high
  • Cost effective—just like dabs, a little bit goes a long way
  • Great for medical patients or other folks who want a high dose of THC
  • They’re a fun novelty and good conversation-starter

Cons:

  • They will get you super duper high (not always a good thing for everyone)
  • They’re messy—most people smoke them in glass; you can roll them in a joint or blunt, but don’t put them in a grinder
  • Keep them in a cool, dry place; you don’t want them getting all melty on you

How to make your own moon rocks at home

Though moon rocks are historically made with GSC flower and/or GSC concentrate, you can make your own moon rocks however you’d like. All you need is the following:

  • Buds of your favorite strain
  • Your favorite liquidy concentrate or hash oil
  • Big ol’ bowl of kief from the bottom of your grinder
  • Tongs (or any grabbing/pinching apparatus)
  • Liquid dropper

Step 1:

Grab a nug or two of your favorite flower. I suggest using one of the denser nugs, as it’ll hold the final cannabis cocktail together better.

Step 2:

Grab your favorite concentrate. If it’s super thick and tough to manipulate, heat it up until it’s a little liquidy

Then use a dropper to completely cover the buds without having to dip them in the concentrate. Oversaturation of the bud will lead to longer drying times and difficulty lighting it.

Step 3:

Use tongs to grab the bud and roll it in kief until the entire nug is covered in crystal goodness.

Step 4:

Let your moon rocks dry until they’re ready for action, then smoke it up.

How to smoke moon rocks

Moon rocks are recommended for experiences cannabis consumers as they pack a powerful punch. Here’s some advice on how to prepare for your moon rocks experience.

Use glassware

Whether it’s a bong or pipe, use some glassware for moon rocks because it’s not your typical flower. It’s thick and greasy and will have to be ripped apart piece by piece like you’re trying to split a Nerd’s Rope with someone.

If you plan to roll it up by itself, think again; not only will you not have enough moon rocks to do so (unless you buy, like, 18 grams of it), you won’t be able to keep it lit like a normal blunt or joint.

Throw it on top of some flower

The greasy texture of moon rocks makes them a little hard to light and keep a cherry, but if you throw them on top of some flower, you’ll be good to go.

You’ll also be doubly high, but honestly, at this point, you can’t even be concerned about what level of highness you’ll end up at. (The answer is the top.)

If you break up some moon rocks weed and sprinkle them on top of ground bud, you can roll up a blunt or joint and make it work for you.

Finish all of your daily tasks before smoking

We all like to get high and go do things, but moon rocks aren’t the type of feel where you’re going to be high and ready for action, Jackson. If you have a workout to do or some tasks to finish for the day, do so before smoking or you’ll pass right out, then wake up stressed about all the time you wasted.

Don’t make my mistake—I smoked moon rocks thinking I was about to punch out 1,500 words of literary fire, only to find that my fingers didn’t even work once that level of high got ahold of my soul.

Safety tips for smoking moon rocks

Eat before smoking

The key word is before. If a moon rock is too potent, having something in your stomach will help prevent you from getting nauseous. It’ll also help keep the munchies down.

Stay hydrated

You’re going to be so damn dehydrated that you’ll look like Spongebob when Sandy had him in the air dome for the first time ever. The cottonmouth is real.

Grab a gallon of water and sit it directly next to you while smoking moon rocks because once that high hits, you will not want to move a single muscle to get up and grab a glass of high quality H2O.

The same goes for the snacks you plan on ingesting once the high grabs your stomach and makes it do backflips. (I suggest some chocolate-covered almonds, they’re delicious.)

Choose the right environment

Set and setting are important. If you’re going to hit some moon rocks, do so in a comfortable and vibe-encouraging environment where everything around you gives your soul life. You’re going to be on stuck mode, and all you’ll want to do is sit and chill within yourself, so go ahead and get your couch game right.

Start low, go slow

As with edibles, start out with a little bit and gradually increase—take a small hit and space out your hits. Trust me, you’ll get to Mars quick enough.