With the variety of cannabis products available today, figuring out the differences and which ones are right for you can get a little confusing. Cannabis oils and cannabis tinctures are similar products, but they do have differences in their production, use, and benefits. Knowing those differences can help you determine whether a cannabis oil vs Tincture is the right product for you.
What’s the Difference?
Technically, cannabis oil is a subclass of cannabis tinctures. While most tinctures are infused with alcohol or water, oils are infused into a neutral oil base. Tinctures use a carrier liquid – usually a neutral oil, alcohol, or water – to transport the active compounds into your bloodstream. They are typically taken orally, either alone or combined with food. However, the production process between oils and other tinctures differs significantly, and this can produce somewhat varied effects.
What Is Tincture
Most tinctures are produced by infusing cannabis flower into alcohol or water over a few weeks. The cannabis is decarbed using low heat for a short time to activate the cannabinoids. It is infused into the alcohol or water at room temperature, stirring occasionally to maximize the compounds being infused.
Consumption
Tinctures can be used one of two ways: they can be taken sublingually by placing a few drops under the tongue for quick absorption into the bloodstream via mucus membranes, or they can be added to food or drinks. In the second instance, they work the same way as any other edible, absorbed through your digestive tract. This may take much longer, depending on your digestion, as is the case with any edible, so if you don’t feel it right away, don’t compensate by taking more, or you might end up too high when it finally kicks in. Generally, a few drops are all you need since such products are highly concentrated. If you haven’t used them before, most experts recommend taking them one fall at a time until you figure out how it affects you.
Benefits
These tinctures tend to be more concentrated than oils or other edibles. If you want to get a lot of THC or CBD into your system quickly, this is a good way to do it. Tinctures are also suitable for those who don’t like the taste or smell of marijuana, as you don’t need a lot to see the effects. A few drops in your food or drink likely won’t change the flavor.
What Is Cannabis Oil
Unlike other tinctures, cannabis oil requires heat to produce. Usually, the dried flower is finely ground and heated dry to “decarb” the cannabis, activating cannabinoids like THC and CBD before they’re infused to make them work better. Then, the ground flower is added to the carrier oil, usually something neutral like olive oil, canola oil, or butter, and simmered at low-to-medium heat for several hours. Then, the oil is strained to remove the plant particles, resulting in a smooth oil that carries the plant’s flavor, aroma, and psychoactive effects.
Consumption
Cannabis oil can be eaten by itself, but most people put it into their food. It can be used as a salad dressing, put into sauces, or drizzled over meats or veggies. Many people also use oils for baking. Baked goods like brownies or cookies are good for covering up the piney scent and flavor, making this a suitable method for inexperienced users or those who are sensitive to the taste.
Benefits
While alcohol or water-based tinctures often take weeks to produce at home, oils can be made in your kitchen. It takes a good amount of flower to produce – roughly 3.5-7 grams of flower per cup of oil, depending on how strong you want it – and you can’t regulate the amount of THC that makes it into the oil, so if you want something a little more standardized, you can always buy oils at your local dispensary just like any other tincture.
Choosing the Right Product
Choosing between oils and other tinctures depends on a few factors, such as how you’d like to consume it, your tolerance, and the effect you want to achieve. If you’re looking to bake with it, for example, oils may be the way to go, whereas if you’d rather take it alone, tinctures might better suit your fancy – oils can be consumed independently, but many don’t enjoy it. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a qualified budtender, like the ones at DDM Cannabis, to talk you through the different options. Below are a few examples of tinctures and the effects they produce.
Achieve Water Soluble Drink Mix Tincture
This sativa-infused Tincture contains about 5mg of THC per serving, with about 60 servings per 1oz bottle. It’s explicitly designed to be mixed into drinks for ease of consumption. Reported effects include boosts in energy, creativity, and focus, making this a great addition to your morning OJ for a productive start to your day.
Bedtime Bliss Dream Drops
This indica-based infusion also includes herbal ingredients such as chamomile and valerian root to help you sleep easily. It packs about 266mg of THC per bottle, plus 11mg of CBD to help you relax and soothe your mind.
Gentle Drops – Smooth Berry 10:1 Tincture
With 900mg of CBD to its 90mg of THC, this Tincture is ideal for relaxation, sleep aid, and pain relief. Infused with a vanilla berry flavor, it can be taken all by itself and produces a very mellow high that’s great for beginners.
Infuse Your Life With DDM Cannabis
At DDM Cannabis, we believe that everyone should have access to premium cannabis products at affordable prices. We carry everything, including flower, edibles, vaporizers, topicals, and tinctures. Our experienced budtenders love to connect people to just the right products for their needs. Start your order online today, or come to our dispensary to discuss your options.
