Cannabis Tincture: What It Is

Tinctures are one of the oldest ways to take cannabis, and one of the most popular ways to take CBD today. A small bottle, a dropper, and a few drops at a time. But the word “cannabis tincture” covers two very different products, and it helps to know which one you are looking at before you buy.

This guide explains what a cannabis tincture is, how marijuana tinctures differ from hemp CBD tinctures, what full spectrum and THC-free mean on a label, how to use a tincture, and how to choose a good one.

What Is a Tincture?

Traditionally, a tincture is a plant extract made by soaking the plant in alcohol. The alcohol draws out the plant’s compounds, and the result is a concentrated liquid you measure out a few drops at a time. Herbal tinctures have been made this way for centuries.

Most CBD tinctures sold today work a little differently. The CBD is extracted from hemp first and then blended into a carrier oil, which is why you will see the words “CBD tincture” and “CBD oil” used for the same product. Either way, you get the same thing in the bottle: a measured amount of CBD in a liquid you take with a dropper.

Marijuana Tinctures vs. Hemp CBD Tinctures

Marijuana and hemp are the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. The difference is THC. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is cannabis that contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. Anything above that is marijuana, which is still illegal at the federal level. That one line decides what is in the bottle and where you can buy it.

	Marijuana (THC) tincture	Hemp CBD tincture
Main compound	THC	CBD
THC content	Above 0.3%, often much higher	0.3% or less, or none at all
Causes a high	Yes	No
Where it is sold	State-licensed dispensaries, in states that allow it	Online and in stores, subject to state rules
Sold by Healthy Hemp Oil	No	Yes

If you searched for a weed or THC tincture, that is a dispensary product and it is regulated by your state. If what you want is the routine of a daily tincture without a high, a hemp CBD tincture is the one to look at.

Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate

Hemp CBD tinctures come in three main types. The label should tell you which one you are buying.

• Full spectrum. Made with the whole range of compounds found in hemp, including other cannabinoids, terpenes, and a small amount of THC within the legal 0.3% limit.
• Broad spectrum, or THC-free. Keeps the other cannabinoids and terpenes, with the THC removed.
• Isolate. Pure CBD, with everything else removed.

Some tinctures also blend CBD with other hemp cannabinoids such as CBG or CBN. If you are subject to drug testing, a THC-free product is the safer choice, and even then it is worth reading the section on drug tests in our guide to hemp oil side effects.

A Short History of Cannabis Tinctures

Tinctures are not new. In the 1800s and early 1900s, cannabis extracts were sold in pharmacies in the United States, most often as tinctures, and cannabis was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia until 1942. Federal restrictions in the late 1930s ended that era.

The modern hemp tincture is much more recent. The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp federally legal again, and the dropper bottle that was once a pharmacy staple became one of the most common ways to take CBD.

How to Use a CBD Tincture

Always follow the directions on the label. Most CBD tinctures are taken one of two ways.

Under the tongue

1. Shake the bottle gently.
2. Fill the dropper to the serving size on the label.
3. Place the drops under your tongue and hold them there for the time the label directs before swallowing.

In a drink or food

If you do not love the taste of hemp, add your serving to a glass of water, a smoothie, or your morning coffee. It is digested along with the food or drink, so it may take a little longer to reach its peak.

For how long each method takes, see our guide to how long CBD takes to work. Whichever way you choose, consistency helps: same time, same way, every day.

How to Choose a CBD Tincture

• Strength. Look for the total CBD in the bottle, in milligrams, and the amount in each serving. A larger number means a more concentrated oil, not a better one. Many people start with a lower strength.
• Type. Full spectrum, THC-free, or a blend with CBG or CBN. See the section above.
• Lab results. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an independent lab confirms what is really in the bottle, including the THC level. Ours are on our Lab Results page.
• Ingredients and flavor. Read the full ingredient list. Natural hemp has an earthy taste; flavored tinctures are easier for some people to take every day.
• Where it is made. Choose a brand that tells you where its hemp is grown and its products are made.

Our CBD Buyers Guide walks through how to compare products side by side.

Before You Start

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you take any prescription medication. CBD can interact with some medications.
• Do not use CBD if you are pregnant or nursing.
• You must be 18 or older to purchase.
• Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how a product affects you.
• Store your tincture closed tightly, away from heat and direct light, and out of reach of children and pets.

Good Places to Start

Three Made By Hemp tinctures: a flavored full spectrum oil, a THC-free option, and a CBG/CBD blend.

See all of our CBD oils and tinctures, or our Best CBD Oil picks in every category. Questions about a product? Contact our team, we are happy to help.