{This CBD Tincture post is sponsored by Flower Child CBD}
Cannabis is now legal in some form or another in 29 states, with many other states likely to follow. If you are lucky enough to live in one of those states, or in a country where medical cannabis is legal, you can use it just like you would any other herb for its amazing medicinal benefits.
CBD rich varieties of cannabis are particularly nice because they deliver a powerful dose of medicine without as much of the high, which sometimes isn’t desired. Making a homemade cannabis CBD tincture is a great way to get those benefits in a concentrated and easy to administer way.
Here is a video that explains more about CBD:
We live in Oregon, where recreational cannabis is legal, and we are allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants per household. We always make sure to grow at least one variety that is high in CBD for making cannabis infused oil, CBD salve, and this CBD tincture.
If you are interested in growing your own I recommend buying seeds from Seedsman. They have a large selection of high CBD varieties and ship to nearly everywhere.
Be sure to read my post on How to Make Cannabis CBD Infused Oil for more info on the legality of CBD in the United States.
This guide from NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) will tell you what the marijuana laws are in your state.
How to Use Cannabis CBD Tincture
CBD is best known for its pain relieving and inflammation reducing benefits, but it can also help with sleep issues, depression, anxiety, and nausea, to name a few.
Check out this list of CBD benefits to see what else it can help with.
To take the CBD tincture, start by putting a few drops under your tongue and seeing how you feel after an hour or two.
It can have different effects for different people, and the strain of cannabis you use can cause differences as well. Gradually up the dose until you feel some relief.
Where to Buy CBD Tincture
If you aren’t able to make your own tincture, I have found an amazing place to buy super high quality organic CBD products! I searched high and low for a cannabis company I could recommend, and Flower Child CBD is it.
FlowerChild has several CBD tinctures to choose from, each with different strengths and medicinal benefits. They also carry CBG tincture if you are interested in that. There is even one made just for pets!
They are an Colorado company, where recreational marijuana is legal, but they use pure CBD extract from organic hemp, so they are able to ship their products nationwide!
FlowerChild CBD created a 10% off coupon code to share with my readers. Use this code when you check out to get the discount: growforage10
I also have a list of my favorite CBD brands here.
Cannabis CBD Tincture Recipe
Disclaimer: I only endorse you making cannabis CBD tincture at home if recreational or medical marijuana is legal in your state, and you have any required cards and/or licenses to do so!
To be honest, this is a really simple recipe. Just like making a regular herbal tincture, all you really need is plant material (a high CBD cannabis variety in this case, we like to use Harlequin or ACDC) and a high proof neutral spirit like vodka.
For an alcohol free tincture vegetable glycerine can be used instead of the spirits.
Before making this tincture, the first step is to decarboxylate the buds which will help to make the CBD more bioavailable. You can see my process for how to do that in my CBD infused oil post (don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it sounds!).
Once the buds have been decarboxylated, put them into jar. Don’t worry too much about amounts, just fill whatever size jar you want to use about ¾ full with buds.
I used a pint jar, but it all depends on how much cannabis you have access to and how much tincture you want to make.
Fill the jar with vodka, making sure to cover all of the buds. Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place to infuse for at least 6 weeks.
The tincture can be left to infuse for several months if you want, it won’t ever go bad and will continue to get stronger.
The homemade CBD tincture will be a green-brown color after infusing and will be very potent! Strain out the buds before using.
I find it convenient to store the finished tincture in dropper bottles, and it makes it easier for dosing as well.
Herbal medicine is great to have on hand, whether homemade or bought from a reputable place. I’m a firm believer in using cannabis as medicine and hope that everyone will soon have access to it!
Homemade Cannabis CBD Tincture
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dried cannabis buds
- 1 cup vodka approximately
Instructions
- Decarboxylate your buds by spreading them out in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake at 230°F for 40 minutes.
- Put the buds into a jar. (Don’t worry too much about amounts, just fill whatever size jar you want to use about 3/4 full with buds. It all depends on how much cannabis you have access to and how much tincture you want to make.)
- Fill the jar with vodka, making sure to cover all of the buds. Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place to infuse for at least 6 weeks.
- Strain the tincture with a fine mesh sieve when ready to use.
Hi I’m using vegetable glycerin. I noticed the buds were wanting to float so I took some time and just stirred but buds down and tried my best but it’s mostly still floating but it’s all coated in the glycerin. Is this okay to store that way?
During the beginning of this Pandemic and all the rubbing alcohol was no longer on the shelves.
I created my own hand sanitizer by purchasing 151 Proof Liquor. It’s 75% Alcohol because it’s so potent some liquor store are disconnecting it.
Drinking is recommended, but it other attributions.
Hi! So if I want to make sure it’s mostly CBD and has as little THC as possible, how do I know what type of bud to get?
Hi Colleen,
Here in ireland, it is not possible to get 100% proof alcohol, well in a shop anyways, and unfortunately i do nog know anymore who makes their own moonshine or poitin as we call it here. So, if i were to use 40% alcohol, would it be effective??
regards.
Anita
Plz tell me which type of vodka seriously I didn’t understand that,,, vodka alcohol or anything elsa
In the States we use Everclear. If you can’t get that where you live, use at least 100 proof Vodka or higher if you can find it.
This may be silly- but can you get similar effects without decarboxylating first?
Thanks!
According to WikiLeaf, THC and CBD need to be activated by decarboxylating in order to be effective.
https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/decarb-your-weed/
No, the bud has to be activated first, that is the reason for Decarb
Hi, could you please elaborate on how much 3/4 cup of buds would roughly be in grams/oz? I have no idea how much to order for this recipe lol.
Thanks!
You can use any amount of herb you want as long as the Vodka goes a bit higher than the herb in the jar. Not a lot higher or it won’t be as potent.
When putting a few drops under the tongue, do you dilute the tincture? or do you use it without diluting? if so, how would you dilute it? How many drops would you recommend when starting to use them for anxiety relief? I think this would be a natural way instead of using medicine which always has side effects.
I add bunny to my tincture that has vodka in it. It makes it a bit smoother when under your tongue. Hope it helps.
What may I ask is bunny?
I’m going to guess she meant honey not bunny. Bunny would be hard to fit in the jar 😉
Hi,
I read a long time ago that when you have a tincture you could apply the same amount of oil in weight as you did of plant matter to the tincture and then put it in a slow cooker on low heat for 8 hours so that the alcohol would evaporate and then end with a super strong oil, this being that some plant components are oil soluble and some aren’t. My question is, If you where to do this, How long would you suggest leaving the oil on the slow cooker for the alcohol to completely evaporate??
I hope i made myself clear, and thank you so much in advanced!
Hi Pilar, I’m not familiar with this method so I can’t really give you any advice on it. Sorry!
depending on what you start with. When I do a pint jar, it can take up to 10 hours for the end product. Also known as FECO. Full Extract Cannabis oil. It’s potent. So be careful with it. Start with just the size of a grain of rice.
After making your tincture and straining out the buds what do you do with the buds?
I’m wondering the same
What is hempseed oil and how do you use it, should it be refined or unrefined?thank you
Can I do the same with dry leaves?
How do you know what mg the tincture is? Is there an equation you use to figure it out?
Hello, after making the tincture CBD oil in the vodka. Will it taste like vodka ? Or have a natural earthy taste? And by chance would you know How to add a flavor.
Thank you for taking time to read.
Marianne
It will taste more like cannabis than anything else. To add flavor you could try adding other herbs or something like orange peel to the tincture when you make it (I’ve never tried it so I can’t say how it will turn out).
Is this recipe great when infusing with making cbd bath bombs? I’m trying to find oils that aren’t irritating to the skin and noticed you used olive oil, so just wanted to make sure!
Thank you for this! We know the beneficial effects of CBD well. I live in Colorado and am interested in growing hemp and cannabis for medicinal uses. Do you recommend any good books on how to grow either/both? Thank you 🙂
Great info! I am trying to make a topical for personal use and family. Thinking of going with a full spectrum tincture and buying to mix with a topical base like Shea butter. Would like to make a mid and stronger option. What dosage of the premade full spectrum would you recommend in this case?
Hi Michael, I’ve never made a topical in this manner so I can’t really give you any advice, sorry!
hello there! my sister has an Epilepsy. and when she has a seizure, her husband gives her a pot fo fewer seizures. CBD is helpful to reduce the electrical signals in the brain resulting in a person having fewer seizures. here’s a site https://blimburnseeds.com/ where you can buy seeds just in case you wanna grow yours.
My question is, what is the difference in hemp based and marijuana based CBD tincture? I am new to all this.. We recently decided to try the medical marijuana route for my elderly dad’s chronic back pain. The store we went to sold us a 3:1 CBD/THC tincture. Not sure if it hemp based or marijuana based.Dad experiences pain relief and after many years can sleep through the night. I figure, if we can make the tincture at home, it would be much cost effective.
I’ve purchased a CBD oil that is thick and in a syringe. I want to use it to make salve. I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to use in each batch…Can’t find a recipe using this form… Have you used this form?
Don’t waste tincture making salve. I decarb an ounce of bud. Then I put and ounce of the bud , yarrow , arnica and cover with at least 4-6 cups cold pressed coconut oil , beeswax , Shea butter , fractionated coconut oil and some essential oil to cover smell of pot. Not really possible but it does smell better. I use YlangYlang oil. I steep on WARM not LOW , low is too hot. I let it warm for several days. I put decarbed pot in a knee high nylon so there’s no sifting it out at the end. I keep testing to make sure there’s enough beeswax because I want it to flow on nice but I want it to solidify. Hope all this helps !!! Please don’t waste your tincture to make salve. It’s a huge waste of tincture. Go buy an ounce of good pot. I like Bruce Banner. Nice buzz so it makes a nice salve. You don’t have to spend too dollar either. Just an ounce of pot you’d like to smoke. Good Luck !!!!
In a crockpot. I meant to mention that.
The article said to store for six weeks but gets stronger the longer it is stored
I was taking a full dropper twice a day sublingually from a 500mg bottle I bought online
How do I check how strong my CBD is as I want it around that strength
I’ve read that shrooms has medical effects on the user but do you guys have any idea what healthy benefits does medical cannabis gives? I’ve read this article about a marijuana strain http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/blue-blood/ and it says that it has some benefits too. I dont know if this is entirely true. I want to ask you guys who has some personal experience about this strain thing. Thanks to those who will answer!
CBD Harlequin has more cbd than that strain. If you want a higher cbd percentage.
I am making my first batch of CBD oil. If one does no care about the THC activation do you think carbolization step important? Does carbolization affect the bio-availability of the CBD, do you think?
Thanks!
Hi Colleen,
May I make a suggestion. I have had many people say they never get any consistency in their tinctures no matter the kind. Our’s are consistent and anyone can get that by doing one thing. It is a native principle always start on a new moon and harvest on a new moon. Whither it is 1,2,3 or what ever. The same time will give the same consistency.
I am so impressed by your lifestyle. There are so many questions I would like to ask but am not sure whether they would be appropriate. At any rate, good work!
Thank you for this recipe. I don’t like the taste of alcohol. Can I use an oil other than a soy based glycerin? Coconut oil? MCT oil? What are your thoughts on that? I love Flower Child’s oils, but my budget is shrinking.
You can definitely make an infused oil, you can see my recipe for that here: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/cannabis-cbd-infused-oil/
I use Organic edible glycerin to make my tincture.
Can you Explain the difference between CBD & CBG please ?
Thank you
I’ve never heard of CBG, so I’m not sure what the difference is!
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cbg-cannabinoid
I use pure alcohol for mine, bought in MX…..But what I want to know is,
why is this CBD if you are using the bud?? I thought this was tincture
that gets you high?? I read about CBD and thought you used the stems
and shake???? I would think this would be the kind I make for recreational
purposes. I thought Bud was pure THC not CBD…..
Thanks Colleen for all you do!!!
Hey Suzie, I am using the bud of a high CBD cannabis variety (Harelquin). It is low in THC and high in CBD, so that’s what makes it a CBD tincture. It has nothing to do with the fact that it’s bud vs. stems and shake. You can certainly use a high THC variety for this tincture if you’d like to partake in those benefits 🙂
Thank you! I have early Parkinsons and the physical pain can be horrible-mainly have pharmaceuticals to deal, but am focusing on natural ways to deal and hopefully eliminate pharmaceuticals (hoping to bypass the side effects of tablets and push the need of them off till later in life)- I’m up to try anything-thank you for easy to follow instructions- LOVE and appreciate your knowledge!