Cannabis Tinctures at Kind Meds
Here at Kind Meds, it’s our mission to make sure our client family has all the information they need before they make a decision about which of our quality products to purchase. Cannabis tinctures, one of the most straightforward products besides cannabis flower itself, are a simple yet intriguing category with many uses.
To use cannabis tinctures effectively, it’s vital to learn more about them, including what a tincture really is, how they’re made, the various types of tinctures, and the tincture products you can find at Kind Meds. You can achieve all of these goals and more with our guide to cannabis tinctures.
Then, come visit us at our AZ dispensary and make a confident, informed decision regarding your next cannabis purchase.
What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
Generally speaking, tinctures are liquid extract products created when a material (typically herbs) is soaked in a solvent, causing the material to dissolve and infuse with the solvent. That means cannabis tinctures are liquids like alcohol, glycerin, or oils soaked with cannabis until they become infused with cannabis compounds.
Typically, the most desired compounds – THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes – are extracted from the flower, and then this product is purified and refined to produce a concentrated product. This is then combined with some kind of carrier liquid like coconut oil, olive oil, or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. They’re then packaged in a small dropper bottle so that they can be distributed in dispensaries just like Kind Meds.
Tincture products are designed to be taken orally and can be ingested or allowed to rest in the sublingual space under the tongue for more rapid delivery into the bloodstream. That’s part of what makes tinctures unique from some other types of oral products like capsules or edibles. Cannabis edibles have to be digested and metabolized like other food products before the cannabinoids reach the bloodstream, while tinctures can be consumed this way or taken sublingually for speedier delivery. You can even mix them with your favorite food or drink for a delicious dose of cannabis.
How Are Cannabis Tinctures Made?
Traditionally, tinctures were created by soaking the base product in alcohol to extract the desired components by dissolving the plant matter. In the modern era, there are a few other ways to make tinctures that can involve various other solvents, vegetable-based oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, distillation, or even supercritical CO2 extraction. It should be noted that using the CO2 method typically creates a much more potent product than other methods.
Before any infusion takes place, the cannabis must be decarboxylated. This is the process by which cannabis flower is heated at a relatively low temperature, causing a chemical reaction that removes a chemical group called a carboxyl group, essentially “activating” the cannabinoid compounds. This process happens when cannabis is smoked, thus producing the psychoactive effects that are frequently associated with the plant. To produce these effects once consumed without actually burning the cannabis, “decarbing” the flower is essential before creating extracts like tinctures.
After the flower has been decarbed, it can be combined with the carrier liquid and heated, but it should never exceed a temperature of 245 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, some home creators mix decarbed cannabis and oil and leave it to infuse for up to five weeks. It’s important to recognize that industrial methods are employed to create professional tincture products, and these are significantly more precise and regulated than home creation methods.
The Different Types of Tinctures
As with other kinds of cannabis products, there are a variety of different types of cannabis tinctures, but they can be divided into three distinct categories.
- Broad-Spectrum Tinctures – Broad-spectrum tinctures include many different cannabis compounds such as terpenes, CBD, and perhaps even other cannabinoids, but may contain no more than .3% THC. These products are best for people who are only seeking the therapeutic effects of tinctures and none of the psychoactive effects. However, it is important to keep in mind that some THC may be present.
- Full-Spectrum Tinctures – Full-spectrum tinctures include terpenes and multiple cannabinoid compounds, including THC. For the full benefits of the entourage effect, a full spectrum tincture is your best option.
- Isolate Tincture – If you’re interested in only getting THC or CBD in your tincture, isolate tinctures are for you. Just as the name suggests, only one cannabinoid is present within the product. These kinds of tinctures may or may not have added flavors.
CBD Vs. THC Tinctures
If you’re seeking only the effects of CBD, tinctures can be a great solution.
CBD and THC tinctures differ in a few ways, and first and foremost is the effect. With either type of tincture, if you choose an isolate rather than a full-spectrum tincture, you’re only getting the effects from that particular cannabinoid. While both cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system – a system of chemical receptors specifically shaped to accept cannabinoid compounds – to release neurotransmitters that affect mood, sleep, pain sensation, memory, and more, they do so differently. Most significantly, CBD does not produce the psychoactive high that THC does, but it holds many therapeutic benefits.
In addition, CBD-only and broad-spectrum tinctures are typically created from what’s referred to as an “industrial hemp” plant as opposed to THC tinctures, which are created from what we call marijuana. While both plants are Cannabis sativa L plants that contain CBD and THC, industrial hemp is cultivated to contain ideal concentrations of THC. Whether you choose a CBD-forward or THC-forward tincture is up to you and will depend on what kind of effect you wish to achieve.
Why Choose Cannabis Tinctures?
With so many different kinds of cannabis products on the market, there’s something for everyone and every occasion. However, it can be challenging to know which product is the best for you and your needs. From edibles to concentrates, flower, and more, each product has its own uses and benefits – different methods may be desired for different reasons.
Tinctures are unique in a number of ways, which is why we love them so much. Here are a few of the top benefits of choosing cannabis tinctures.
Easy Dosing
Other methods of cannabis consumption can make it difficult to know exactly how much CBD or THC you may be receiving. For example, if you choose to smoke or vape, there are some extensive calculations that need to be done before you can get a rough estimate of how much of your favorite cannabinoid you’re recieving in an average-sized puff.
By contrast, because tinctures offer cannabinoids in a carrier substance, commonly oil, it’s very easy to determine how much you’re getting. Most tinctures are packaged in small bottles with a graduated dropper conveniently attached to the lid. Each bottle lists the cannabinoid content within the bottle and sometimes even per dose, making it simple to determine how many milliliters you need to get your optimal dose each time.
Discretion
Tinctures are an incredibly discreet way to consume cannabis. Methods such as smoking and vaping, while the classic way to enjoy cannabis, can leave behind smoke, vapor, and that telltale odor of cannabis. Typically, you must also go outside to smoke or vape.
Tinctures can be consumed discreetly without leaving a cloud or an aroma. Whenever you need, your preferred dose can be placed under your tongue, held, and swallowed. No one will be the wiser.
Flexible Activation Time
Edibles are an extremely popular way to consume cannabis. However, activation time can take up to two hours with edibles, as the body has to digest and metabolize the cannabis after consumption. While this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for everyone, it can be too long to wait for some people.
As mentioned previously, tinctures can be consumed in two different ways. A tincture can be taken orally and swallowed like an edible, or it can be applied sublingually (under the tongue.) When it’s applied this way and allowed to absorb into the thin membrane under the tongue, it reaches the bloodstream much quicker – it may take as little as 15 minutes for a tincture to take effect. Keep in mind that if added to food or otherwise taken orally without being held under the tongue, tinctures can take just as long as edibles to set in, which may be preferable for some people.
Safe Consumption Method
Many people manage pain, anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions with cannabis. Many of these medicinal cannabis patients have other health issues that may preclude them from smoking or vaping. Using tinctures enables you to gain the desired effects without the potential issues that can be caused by smoking. Additionally, because of precise dosing and speedy delivery, tinctures can be a safer, more effective way of accessing cannabis.
Convenience
Tinctures are an incredibly convenient method of consumption. With most other consumption methods, you’ll need at least a lighter and some cannabis hardware. Tinctures, however, are typically self-contained dosing systems. Bottles typically have droppers that you can use to dispense the product sublingually, and you don’t need any additional equipment to dose and go on with your day. Dosages can be precise, and you know just how much you’re getting with every dose, so there’s no guesswork as with other methods.
Cannabis Tinctures FAQs
Even the most seasoned cannabis consumer may have a question or two when faced with a product they’ve never tried. Listed below are some of the most common questions we receive about cannabis tinctures.
Kind Meds: Cannabis Tinctures in Mesa, AZ
Tinctures can be a wonderful method of cannabis consumption, especially if you are looking for a CBD-only product, need a therapeutic cannabis product, or want to add cannabis to food or drink. Whether it’s your first time using tinctures or you’re a seasoned regular, there’s always more to know and new products to browse. You may need to engage in a little trial and error before you find the best product for you.
We welcome you to your Arizona Kind Meds dispensary, where our skilled staff can address any additional concerns and questions that you may have. They also have the expertise to help you find the best product for your needs, whether you like the psychoactive effects of THC or prefer the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Browse our live menu, and be sure to stop in when you’re ready to try out our range of popular tincture products.