DIY: Homemade Cannabis Tincture Recipe

I recently had the pleasure of leading an “Infusions 101” Workshop at The Juice Truck in Vancouver, supported by Tantalus Labs, a BC Sungrown Licensed Cannabis Producer, and LEVO, the home infusion device (a serious must for any culinary minded canna consumers out there).

Guiding over 30 people (who braved Vancouver’s annual snowstorm to attend!), we explored the art and science of homemade tinctures and edibles.

Tinctures are an easy and accessible way to start making your own cannabis infusions at home. Alcohol efficiently extracts the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, creating what’s known as a “whole plant extract”. When consumed, this provides a similar chemical composition to when you smoke or inhale the whole flower, but without the side effects of combustion.

Keep in mind onset time differs greatly between inhaling and ingesting your cannabis –edibles can take anywhere from 20mins to 2hrs to take effect (especially if you’ve had a big meal).

Edibles will provide a longer lasting and full body experience, as this form of consumption activates both your CB1 and CB2 receptors (found in the brain and gut).

Being alcohol based, tinctures can be metabolized very quickly when taken sublingually (under the tongue). However, in this DIY recipe because it involves very minimal processing, there is no post-extraction processing to further purify or refine your tincture. You will likely want to add it to a base of fresh pressed juice, flavourful tea, creamy nut milks, smoothies, or coconut water.

Ingredients:

Use this chart to determine how much liquid to flower ratio to use when preparing your tinctures.

• Decarboxylated Flower

• Neutral Tasting Vodka

• Mason Jar

• Dark amber storage bottle with dropper

• Fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth

Instructions:

1. To decarboxylate your flower, grind it up first and spread out evenly on a baking tray, or glass dish

2. Bake at 240 degrees for 40 minutes (this can get smelly, be sure to ventilate)

3. After the flower has cooled off, add it to your mason jar

4. Add the vodka to the decarboxylated flower

5. Seal tightly and give it a good shake

6. Place in a cool dark pantry, shaking it once a week

7. Let infuse for a minimum of 2 weeks (can continue to infuse for 6mo. to a year).

8. Once ready, open your mason jar and strain off the flower through a fine mesh sieve as you decant the infusion into your dark amber storage bottle.

9. You may choose to pass the liquid through a cheese cloth (or nut milk bag) for additional filtration.

Determining Your Dose Using Titration:

Begin by consuming the smallest amount and increasing gradually over subsequent days. The aim is to find the lowest necessary intake amount for the desired outcome sought.

Event Images c/o: Brandon Artis

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