Last reviewed October 18, 2026
A tincture is a liquid cannabis extract, usually THC, CBD or both mixed into a carrier oil, sold in a small bottle with a dropper. You measure a dose with the dropper and either hold it under your tongue for a short while or add it to food and drinks. The term originally meant an alcohol-based extract, but most cannabis tinctures sold today use oil.
In short:
- Liquid extract in a dropper bottle, measured by the millilitre.
- No smoke or vapour, and no strong smell.
- Strength is listed as mg of THC and CBD per bottle; divide by the bottle size to get mg per ml.
How to read the label
| Label says | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Total mg | Cannabinoid in the whole bottle | 1,000 mg THC |
| Bottle size | Volume of liquid | 30 ml |
| mg per ml | Total ÷ size | 1,000 ÷ 30 ≈ 33 mg per ml |
| Ratio | CBD to THC, when it has both | 3:1 is three parts CBD to one part THC |
| Isolate / full spectrum | One cannabinoid alone, or with the plant’s other compounds | CBD isolate |
At 33 mg per ml, a full 1 ml dropper is a large dose of THC for most people. Marked droppers let you measure 0.25 ml or less.
How to use a tincture
- Shake the bottle so the extract is evenly mixed.
- Measure a small amount with the dropper’s markings.
- Hold it under your tongue for 30 to 60 seconds before swallowing, or mix it into food or a drink.
- Wait before taking more. Once swallowed, it behaves like an edible.
How long it takes
Health Canada advises that cannabis you eat or drink can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to begin working, and up to 4 hours to reach full effect. Some people feel a tincture held under the tongue sooner, but plan for edible timing. For THC, Health Canada suggests starting with 2.5 mg or less.
Tincture vs edibles vs oil
- Edibles come in fixed doses per piece; tinctures let you measure any amount.
- “Cannabis oil” often means the same thing as a tincture. It can also mean vape oil, which is a different product: never vape a tincture.
Common questions
What is a tincture used for?
It’s a smoke-free way to take THC or CBD in a measured amount, either under the tongue or in food and drinks.
How many drops should I take?
Work it out in mg: check the mg per ml, start with a small fraction of a millilitre, and wait at least 2 hours before taking more.
Can you put a tincture in a drink?
Yes. Oil-based tinctures mix best into drinks with some fat, such as milk or a smoothie.
Do tinctures expire?
Check the best-before date. Store the bottle closed, upright and away from heat and light.
Source: Health Canada, Cannabis: lower your risks.
