Wednesday, August 31, 2011

How to Make a Medicinal Tincture

One of ole Bill's favorite ways to prepare medical cannabis is in a tincture.

Cannabis Tincture (Alcohol)

1) Soak the cannabis in water for a few hours, drain and repeat until the water comes out clear. (This removes the water soluble elements that we don't want.)

2) Dry the cannabis and grind to a fine powder. (coffee grinders will do the trick)

3) Place on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 15 minutes. (this decarboxylates THCA into THC and increases potency)

4) Remove from oven and place cannabis in enough alcohol to cover. One ounce per pint of alcohol is a good ratio. (The higher the proof the better, Everclear , 151 proof rum or vodka. DO NOT use isopropol or denatured alcohol if you intend to drink the resulting mixture!!!)

5) Simmer in a crock pot on low. You can tell when it's done when the pulp strained out looks like sawdust. Maintain temperature of the alcohol/cannabis mixture between 150°F – 165°F.

6) Strain the mixture through a coffee filter and store in a glass jar preferably amber. A dropper bottle will make it easy to measure out doses. (Easy does it! It may take up to two hours to feel the full effects so try one or two droppers full first and see how it effects you.)



The same procedure can be followed using food grade Glycerin instead of alcohol. It has a naturally sweet taste and of course is alcohol free.

This tincture can be used by itself or as an ingredient in other preparations.