Old-School Method

This is the slowest method, but it’s also the most famous. You’ve probably heard of “Green Dragon” if you haven’t already had it. The fact that it takes almost no extra materials can’t be hurting its popularity.

The Ed Method

Are you a fan of Ed Rosenthal? If so, He seems to come up with the ways of doing things, but even better, he always has a reason behind his methods. This technique is from his newest book on concentrates/edibles (Beyond Buds: Next Generation) and I suggest you pick up a copy. It has good info and I’m sure you’ll learn something new!

Water Bath Method

The water bath method is a fast way to make tinctures, but it also requires the most care since you have to make sure the water bath doesn’t get too hot.

Magical Butter

The Magical Butter Machine is the way to make tinctures. It stirs it more, it constantly heats the material, and it has infinite patience, unlike a human being. It can stir and heat your tincture for 8 straight hours with no work on your part past the initial setup.

1. Old-School Method

This is the slowest method, but it’s also the most famous. You’ve probably heard of “Green Dragon” if you haven’t already had it. The fact that it takes almost no extra materials can’t be hurting its popularity.

Supplies Needed:
  • Medical Cannabis
  • High-Proof Alcohol
  • Dark Colored Mason Jar with Lid
Steps:
  1. Decarboxylate 1oz of weed.
  2. Add the cannabis to a glass container like a mason jar.
  3. Add about 300ml of alcohol to the jar. Close the jar tight.
  4. Place the jar somewhere cool and dark for about 3 months. Shake up the jar when the mood strikes you.

*Alternate Method: Shake the jar over the course of an hour; many people believe this is just as effective as waiting for 3 months. I don’t know if it’s just as effective, but I tested the 60-minute method and it definitely works. It’s like a less-quick quick-wash.

2. The Ed Method

Are you a fan of Ed Rosenthal? If so, He seems to come up with the ways of doing things, but even better, he always has a reason behind his methods. This technique is from his newest book on concentrates/edibles (Beyond Buds: Next Generation) and I suggest you pick up a copy. It has good info and I’m sure you’ll learn something new!

  • Medical Cannabis
  • High-Proof Alcohol
  • Dark Colored Mason Jar with Lid
  • Blender
  • Large Metal Bowl
  • Extra Large Bowl
  • Coffee Filters
Steps:
  1. Decarboxylate 1oz of medical cannabis
  2. Add the medical cannabis to your strainer, then put the strainer in the large metal bowl
  3. Fill the bowl with water until the medical cannabis floats, and let it sit for 90 minutes.
    1. This should help leech out some of the chlorophyll from your bud.
  4. Pull the strainer from the bowl so the water drains.
  5. Collect your wet medical cannabis into a ball and squeeze the water out with your hands.
  6. Break up the squeezed medical cannabis and add it to your blender.
  7. Add about 300ml of your alcohol to the blender and blend on low for 5 minutes.
  8. Let the mixture sit for an hour, then blend again for 5 minutes.
  9. Pour the mixture through the strainer making sure to collect the used medical cannabis material.
    1. Make sure to squeeze any tincture out of the material.
    2. The mixture you just filtered is a potent cannabis tincture! Put it to the side so you can store it later.
  10. Put the used medical cannabis material in a container with fresh alcohol to soak for another hour.
  11. Pour the mixture through a strainer again, but this time you can discard the used medical cannabis.
  12. Pour your tincture into an amber or cobalt blue jar that can be sealed.
  13. Your tincture is ready!

3. Water Bath Method

The water bath method is a fast way to make tinctures, but it also requires the most care since you have to make sure the water bath doesn’t get too hot.

Oddly enough, this method is the lower-budget version of using a Magical Butter Machine since it does all the same things but needs you to be there to take action and monitor for safety.

Important: Do not perform this method with any open flames anywhere in your house! Evaporating alcohol creates a flammable vapor and having an open flame anywhere near flammable vapor is a recipe for fiery disaster. Please be safe!

  • Medical Cannabis
  • High-Proof Alcohol
  • Dark Colored Mason Jar with Lid
  • Dark Colored Mason Jar with Lid (for storage)
Steps:
  1. Decarboxylate 1oz of medical cannabis.
  2. Grind up your cannabis.
  3. Add the medical cannabis to your mason jar.
  4. Add about 300ml of your alcohol of choice to the jar.
  5. DO NOT CLOSE OR SEAL THE JAR!
  6. Fill the pot with 1” of water and place on an electric stove (no gas stoves!) on medium.
  7. Use your thermometer to make sure the water is no hotter than 165°F.
  8. Place the unsealed mason jar with your medical cannabis and alcohol into the pot.
    1. This is called a water bath. See the picture below to see what it looks like.
  9. Adjust the temperature as needed until the alcohol/cannabis mixture gets to 165°F and let it cook for 30 minutes.
    1. Stay next to the water bath and make sure it doesn’t get too hot (above 165°F).
  10. Remove the jar from the water bath and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
  11. Pour your tincture through a coffee filter over a bowl to filter out the tiny particulates.
    1. This step isn’t necessary, but it looks nicer.
  12. Pour your tincture into an amber or cobalt blue jar that can be sealed.
  13. You’re done!

4. Magical Butter

The Magical Butter Machine is the way to make tinctures. It stirs it more, it constantly heats the material, and it has infinite patience, unlike a human being. It can stir and heat your tincture for 8 straight hours with no work on your part past the initial setup.

  • Medical Cannabis
  • High-Proof Alcohol
  • Magical Butter Machine
  • Dark Colored Mason Jar
  • Mesh Strainer
  • Large Metal Bowl
  • Coffee Filters
Steps:
  1. Decarboxylate 1oz of medical cannabis.
  2. Add the medical cannabis to your Magical Butter Machine without grinding it.
  3. Add 2cups (or more for a less potent product) of your alcohol to the machine.
    1. 2 cups are the bare minimum you can add.
  4. Set the temperature to 130°F.
  5. Set the timer to 4 hours (tincture) or set it to 8 hours for a stronger product.
  6. Let the machine finish, then unplug it and let your mixture cool for 30 minutes.
  7. Pour your tincture through a coffee filter over a bowl to filter out the tiny particulates.
  8. This step isn’t necessary, but it looks nicer.
  9. Pour your tincture into an amber or cobalt blue jar that can be sealed.
  10. Tincture time!
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