Glycerin Cannabis Tincture

[Julie Gardener]

Glycerin-based tincture is one of the newest advancements in medical marijuana science. For patients in need of a great Cannanis-based medicine without the invasiveness of smoking, or the effort of eating, this is perfect. Very tasty and very potent!

Estimated Time: 6 hours – 5 weeks
Serves: Too many to count; probably about 100 servings


Materials and Ingredients:

1/2 gallon (64 fl oz) of U.S.P. Food Grade Glycerin (vegetable)
84 grams (3 oz) of trimmings (or 70g/2.5oz if using quality buds)
A coffee herb grinder, a blender, or any other object that can finely grind your ganja
A crock pot or some clear, sealed glass jars, preferably mason jars. (Note:
The crock pot method is recommended)
cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer


Instructions: (Crock Pot Method)

1. Set the crock pot to low. If possible, keep the crock pot on a ‘Keep Warm’ setting; some crock pots will burn the tincture even at a low setting so take warning! If you are worried, try the Clear Jar method (see below).
2. Grind up your cannabis as finely as possible using the coffee grinder or blender.
3. Place the glycerin and the cannabis in the crock pot.
4. Let sit for 6 – 24 hours.
5. Let cool.
6. Strain with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer (a paper coffee filter will not work!). This will be a long process because the glycerin is very slow moving and sticky. It is well worth it though!


Instructions: (Clear Jar Method)

1. Grind up your cannabis as finely as possible using the coffee grinder or blender.
2. Place the glycerin and the cannabis in 1 or more clear, glass jars. A well sealed cap is crucial.
3. Place in a window or another sunny location and let it sit there for 3 to 5 weeks. Shake it each day to help release the desired cannabinoids.
4. Strain with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer (a paper coffee filter will not work!). This will be a long process because the glycerin is very slow moving and sticky. It is well worth it though!


Serving Suggestions:

If using the Crock Pot Method, the glycerin may be very hot at first, so BE CAREFUL! Let cool for a good 15 to 20 minutes if possible. Maybe longer.
Glycerin based cannabis tincture stores well, but not as well as alcohol based tincture. Refrigeration is recommended.
A drop or dropper full under the tongue is enough to ease pain. Test a small amount before moving on to larger doses!
Purchasing a medicine dropper bottle is recommended. These can usually be purchased in health food stores.

 

[Captain Kronic]

Gonna give this a go next Fall. I have been wanting to expand my meds usage to other areas than just smoking... this and some edibles I think I can handle w/o a BBQ!

 

[Llama]

The timing of this thread is perfect. I just started a batch of tincture using pure ethanol(Everclear) and 2.5 oz of vapor duff.(for any naysayers about vapor duff...Iv'e done this before and it works very well). It should be ready in a couple of weeks.

I just bought a bottle of glycerine yesterday and I'm going to try this recipe today, albeit a smaller batch as I only have a couple oz of scrap left. I'll let you know how it turns out for me.

 

[Julie Gardener]

Perfect Llama, pls keep us posted. I ran across a maker who used Vodka as her main ingredient. Good to have different options. How long have you been making your tinctures?

 

[Captain Kronic]

I do hope you will post back here about your experience and finished product. I am sure I'm not the only one here who values personal input...

The timing of this thread is perfect. I just started a batch of tincture using pure ethanol(Everclear) and 2.5 oz of vapor duff.(for any naysayers about vapor duff...Iv'e done this before and it works very well). It should be ready in a couple of weeks.

I just bought a bottle of glycerine yesterday and I'm going to try this recipe today, albeit a smaller batch as I only have a couple oz of scrap left. I'll let you know how it turns out for me.

 

[Bruce Wheelman]

I use a glycerin tincture all the time...my local collective carries a constant supply of it - fantastic for a quick acting edible. I love it for insomnia - if I wake up in the middle of the night, a dropper full under my tongue and back to sleep I go

and

 

[Captain Kronic]

That would help me out so much... since kicking my meds, I don't sleep well anymore, not more than about 4 hours a night anyways. That's why I am here so early (my time)... it's too dark to see yet in the garden... LOL

I smoke large before bed and that helps quite a bit but... I wake up every hour or so... GAAAAHHHH!
I try not to get out of bed but if I did it to smoke or whatever... that would be it for the sleeping.
I think the tincture would be a quick fix to just fall back to sleep.

Thanks for the input boss!

I use a glycerin tincture all the time...my local collective carries a constant supply of it - fantastic for a quick acting edible. I love it for insomnia - if I wake up in the middle of the night, a dropper full under my tongue and back to sleep I go

and

 

[wkpjr1967]

Thank You Julie for the recipe!
Making my first batch now.

I am using fresh frozen trim and fresh bud.
Do you think the recipe should be adjusted if using fresh materials?

 

[Julie Gardener]

Do you think the recipe should be adjusted if using fresh materials?

Good question. Honestly, I can't answer that one. You will have to play with the ingredients and see what works best for you and your needs. I think you will still have a great tincture using fresh Cannabis in the amount given.

Here's a link for some great info on the differences between the strains and what one you may want to choose for your tinctures depending on your needs.

What Medical Marijuana Strain Is Best For Your Condition - Sativa or Indica?

Fyi...I've also seen that you should 'decarb' your herb before making tinctures. Decarbing consists of placing your herb on a cookie sheet in the oven at 150°F for about an hour or so until the bud is dry and crumbles into a powder when rolled between your thumb and index finger.

Here's a bit about decarbing from a source I found that makes alcohol tinctures...

"Decarb" means decarboxylation. It is the process of removing the carboxyl group by converting into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). You do this by heating the marijuana. The suggested method is placing the bud on a piece of tin foil or a baking pan in the oven at 150 degrees (F) for roughly 15 minutes.

Depending on how much bud you are using and how "fresh" (or wet if it wasn't cured properly - or you are being stiffed by measures taken by shady distributors to add weight to the buds) it is, it may take longer. When done the bud should be dry and flake into a powder when you roll it between your thumb and forefinger.

We do this because marijuana, when harvested, contains mostly THCA, which is not psychoactive. However during the drying and curing process some of the THCA will decarb into THC (it removes the carboxylic group, COOH). THC is psychoactive. Most weed, even if cured well will still contain a lot of latent "bang", in any of the remaining unconverted THCA. When you smoke weed this process occurs when the flame comes into close proximity to the buds. When cooking, you want to make sure your bud is at its maximum potential potency.

And Yes, you can use the tincture in cooking. The THC should remain in the food, well the alcohol will evaporate.

Keep this quote in mind for your next batch and play around with the different methods until you find one that works for you.

Hope this helps...Good luck with your first batch!

 

[wkpjr1967]

I always "decarb" my cannabis.
When making the tinctures from fresh bud I do this by taking the end product in a double boiler.
This concentrates the alcohol based tincture and should decarb the glycerine tincture.

 

[wkpjr1967]

 

[Llama]

I do hope you will post back here about your experience and finished product. I am sure I'm not the only one here who values personal input...

Sorry it took so long to get back to this. The everclear tincure made with vapor duff is almost dangerous!!

It taste awful so it needs to be mixed with juice. It is so potent that I only use it (1 eyedropper) if I can't sleep and I don't have to work the next day. It keeps me groggy and half stoned most of the morning but it puts me out like a light within 20 minutes or so.

I mixed 750 litres of everclear(pure grain alcohol) with 2 oz of vapor duff. Put it in a mason jar in the closet for three weeks shaking it up once or twice a week. I strained it twice through a jelly bag which works much easier and faster than coffee filters, plus it is re-usable.

I left the lid off the jar to evaporate the alcohol. When the liquid had reduced about 50% I ended up with about 6 floz of tincure.

I have not made the glycerine tincure yet.

 

[Llama]

I just went back and re-read mthe post about decarboxylation. I'll just bet that my vapor duff is already decarbed by heating in the vaporizor.

 

[Toecuttah]

Can I use my pressed bubble hash in the warm glycerin method? I'm waiting on the glycerin to arrive. Also making "Budder" today to try to make some lollipops, can I use the glycerin tincture in the lollipops??

 

[VaporNation]

My buddy had a glycerin tincture that I got to try one time and not only was it insanely potent, it tasted amazing... it was purchased though, I'm gonna have to try this recipe out at home and see how they compare.

 

[Lusi]

My buddy had a glycerin tincture that I got to try one time and not only was it insanely potent, it tasted amazing... it was purchased though, I'm gonna have to try this recipe out at home and see how they compare.

I just caved in and bought a glycerine tincture from my fav dispensary. He gives me a dropper full each time I stop by and it seems to have potential. I bought 2oz for $20. Tastes good and 3 dropper fulls took the edge off my joint pains and migraine. It is 1/2 Sativa/ Indica and gave very little mental effect. Today I too a dropper then set up some targets to see my som before and after. There droppers later and my aim was still 100% and bagged me a squirrel. The lack of goofy headedness is as appealing as the taste and relief. I said I'd be willing to even do a TV interview if this works. If it helps me, it can help anyone! Tomorrow the rain comes and That will be the real pain test. )

My hash pills are even stronger, but take a long time to work. My last try took 12 hours to work... And while at the vet. I passed out. Now this tincture could jump start edibles and reduce the edible dose... Hmmmm

I have a few ideas... I decarb my hash at 250 for 30 minutes. It would be easier and less waste to make this out of the dry ice hash. Two 16oz jars of buds gave me 8g hash in 5 minutes with a $7 bag. I use panty hose for cooking but wonder if a coffee press would be a good way to filter hash or buds from the glycerine. Has anyone tried it? I used it once for an Everclear tincture... (gross) The press usually has a glass sleeve that might be perfect as a double boiler or inside the crock pot as it's smaller and you'd not need to transfer the glycerine as much and waste it, or make as much at once. I think 2oz of tincture gives about 30 droppers. I'll aim for 1/8g hash per dropper and figure it out from there.... 2g hash per oz of glycerine. My caps are 1/4g hash so 3 droppers ought to be perfect. ( in my imagination)

Julie, what color did your tincture end up before and after decarb? I'm curious...where did you buy the glycerine?I found some food grade for sale as a massage oil...gross!!!.... But wasn't't brave enough to buy it to test. LMK what kind if place sells things like this! When I use my crock pot for budder (1/2 gallon from walmart $10) I put it on low to simmer. Would this be enough to decarb too and eliminate a step?

I don't know about everyone else, but finding the best forms to make MJ as medicine is as important or perhaps more so as strain. This is the last one for me to try... Using dry ice hash as a base for this and capsules might replace the volcano and cookies. Making it easy to make, carry, and tale, plus covering both instant pain relief and overnight relief. I also get all that leftover bud to donate, perfectly good to smoke, vape, or cook.

So..... Has anyone found a difference in their tinctures if using different strains, but the same potency? What is the difference? The people selling these products say it matters, but it's the people using the products that know for real.

Thanks for the awesome thread! I hope everyone shares their results!

 

[2Tuff2sk8]

Seems to me the toughest part of lollipops is the temperature necessary to get the sugar to harden - might be too hot for thc? That would explain why candy doesn't always work for me - but sometimes it does. Anyway, easiest way to have super potent glycerin tincture - shake it daily for a few months, forget it in a dark place for another few then strain!

 

[Lusi]

Wait... I thought the tincture was quicker when heated? Do I have it backwards? I sure am loving this glycerine tincture from the dispensary. Wow!
I've bought candies and lollipops at the dispensary too. I haven't a clue how they are made, but most of the oil seemed stuck to the wrappers and not on the lollipop. They were really weak too. Did you find an way without all that oil? I wish there were sugar free candles too. Lol

 

[BeemerBill]

I know this thread is quite old but I really good info and i thought I would give my opinion on glycerin tincture. I used my crook pot, which on low heats up to 200 degrees, and used 1 cup of glycerin and an oz of bud. I'm a provider for my wife who has chronic pain from cancer she had 30 years ago. I make capsules for her of various strains, sour diesel for days and Lavender Kush for her insomnia. She was on morphine and soma for years and it was killing her so something had to be done. MMJ is a medical marvel and she was able to get off the killers within 3 months and is now doing a lot better. I thought trying the glycerin tincture would give her another option for relief. Well she didn't like the taste and refused to use it so I gave it to a friend that has crohns and is quite hyper. He uses it all the time and loves it. He says 2 or 3 drops and it mellows he right out. I'm a truck driver and have a CDL so i can't use so I have to depend on others opinions on quality.

 

[LadyToker]

The timing of this thread is perfect. I just started a batch of tincture using pure ethanol(Everclear) and 2.5 oz of vapor duff.(for any naysayers about vapor duff...Iv'e done this before and it works very well). It should be ready in a couple of weeks.

I just bought a bottle of glycerine yesterday and I'm going to try this recipe today, albeit a smaller batch as I only have a couple oz of scrap left. I'll let you know how it turns out for me.

What is a vapor duff?