Cannabis Tinctures vs Edibles: Which One Is Right For You?

This match-up between cannabis-infused products is a close call. Each product has its unique advantages and disadvantages depending on your consumption preference or medical condition.

Here’s a rundown on the pros and cons of cannabis tinctures and edibles.

Cannabis Tinctures vs Edibles – What are They?

Technically, cannabis tinctures are edibles. Edibles are cannabis-infused beverages, food, and other ingestible products that provide powerful and long-lasting relief. Common edibles include brownies, cookies, gummies, chocolate, pretzels, sugary drinks, and more. Cannabis tinctures are alcohol or oil-based extracts that can be added to food and drinks or taken alone sublingually.

Marijuana edibles are made by using an infused cannabutter or canna-oil as a base ingredient. Cannabis flower or cannabis concentrates can be used to make edibles to replace the regular oil or butter in any recipe.

Both tinctures and edibles can be found in intoxicating and non-intoxicating products (THC and CBD, respectively). Whether you're looking for that buzz or clear-headed experience, tinctures and edibles have got you covered.

Now, the question is: which one is the best product for you?

Oral vs Sublingual Consumption

Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways. Choosing the right consumption method depends on your specific recreational or medicinal needs. Here is a breakdown of the most popular consumption methods to help you make an informed decision.

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking and vaping are the most popular consumption methods and involve inhaling the smoke or vapor resulting from heating the flower or concentrate at relatively high temperatures. Weed’s effects after inhalation appear in as little as five to 10 minutes. For instant relief, it’s hard to beat smoking a joint or taking a dab.

However, smoking and vaping cannabis is not the only or best method of consumption for every type of cannabis user. For instance, first-time or health-conscious users may want a smokeless consumption method that avoids introducing any harmful substances into their lungs. That is where cannabis tinctures and edibles come in.

Oral Consumption

Oral consumption occurs when you ingest a marijuana edible in the form of capsules, baked goods, drinks, and tinctures. When consumed orally, the active compounds have to travel through the body’s digestive system to become metabolized and then released into the bloodstream. That is why the onset of effects takes longer when consuming edibles compared to smoking or vaping marijuana.

In the liver, cannabis’ THC compound converts into a metabolite (11-Hydroxy-THC) with stronger and longer-lasting effects than THC. If consuming CBD, most of the concentration of CBD is metabolized into 7-hydroxy-CBD.

Sublingual Consumption

Sublingual consumption, on the other hand, places the therapeutic compounds directly into the bloodstream without having to go through the digestive tract and the liver. You can add a few drops (or more) of the tincture under your tongue for at least 20 seconds and wait until a good amount of cannabinoids have absorbed into your body. Then you swallow the tincture, which allows the digestive tract to absorb any remaining cannabinoids.

When taken under the tongue, tinctures have faster acting effects than edibles, which can take hours to kick in. In addition, you may feel a second onset of effects when the ingested cannabinoids have been metabolized.

Edibles, however, can provide slightly longer effects (up to eight hours) compared to the effects of tinctures which can last up to six hours. The longer-lasting effects can make all the difference for some users.

Cannabis Tinctures vs Edibles: Pros and Cons

Cannabis tinctures and edibles: which one is the best for you? There isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. What may be right for you may not be for another person. Consider these factors when choosing your infused product.

Convenience

In terms of convenience, both CBD tinctures and edibles are easy to carry in a purse, bag, or pocket. Unlike smoking, which requires a smoking device, a lighter, and flower, tinctures and edibles require no assembly. All you need to do is munch on some delicious snacks or add a few drops of tincture under your tongue.

Potency

In terms of potency, edibles and tinctures are hard to beat depending on how much you want to consume. Edibles, however, usually contain fewer total cannabinoids compared to tinctures, which can contain up to 1,000 milligrams of THC. If you are looking for those high concentrations and don't want to get full, tinctures are the way to go.

Dosing

When it comes to dosing tinctures and edibles, one is far easier to dose than the other. With tinctures, you can use a dropper featuring graduated mL indicators that can help you carefully dose the right amount and feel the effects almost instantly. Refer to the label instructions on the package for a recommended starting dose.

With edibles, dosing is much more difficult. Cannabinoid absorption can depend on if you take the edible after eating or on an empty stomach. Eating edibles on an empty stomach can cause intense and unpredictable effects that can increase a person's anxiety and the side effects of the cannabinoid. Eating an edible after a meal can increase the onset of effects. In addition, what you eat can affect how well your body absorbs the cannabinoids.

However, edibles can provide longer-lasting effects on a single dose compared to using tinctures which may require more frequent doses throughout the day.

Safety

A big part of the popularity of edibles is their familiar form and taste. However, this can be a double-edged sword. In some cases, edibles can be confused with everyday food, including by children and pets. Accidental cannabis consumption can lead to severe side effects and hospital admission.

If using edibles, we recommend storing them in a safe place, similar to keeping alcoholic beverages away from reach. Whether you store them on the highest shelf or a drawer, it is important to keep them inside their original childproof container to add another layer of security.

Nutrition

Generally, tinctures have much lower calories, sugars, and fats compared to edibles. While a few doses of edibles are not significantly unhealthy, it is important to consider their nutritional value instead of just focusing on their effects. Tinctures provide you with a low-calorie and low-sugar alternative that enables you to consume less of these and still get considerable relief.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to the amount and rate of absorption of the active compounds in the body. When taken sublingually, tinctures can have a bioavailability between 40 to 50%. When ingested, edibles can have a bioavailability between 4 to 20% due to the metabolizing process in the digestive tract. Generally, tinctures are more cost-effective due to the number of cannabinoids your body can absorb sublingually.

Which One Is Right For You?

Ultimately, the best type of cannabis product for you depends on a variety of factors including your metabolism, frequency of use, the amount used, potency, medical condition, and more. In some cases, both types of products can provide you with relief depending on the situation.

Edibles can be a nice treat to enjoy from the comfort of your home or with friends. They can be a fun and delicious alternative to tinctures on occasions where you want to treat yourself or experience longer-lasting relief.

Tinctures can go into nearly any food or drink so you can have any type of edible you want, technically. In terms of variety and versatility, tinctures can't be beaten. Tinctures are available in natural or flavored varieties so you can enjoy them alone or in your favorite food.

Fortunately, you don’t have to make a choice between the two. Often, using them synergistically can provide you relief in different situations. For longer relief, edibles can do the trick. If you want to supplement the effects of an edible, you can add some tincture drops under your tongue when the effects are wearing down.

Medical Application of Cannabis Tinctures vs Edibles

Cannabis can help treat a wide range of medical conditions and symptoms through many forms including whole-flower, concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Tinctures and edibles can provide you with a rush of energy, a dose of relaxation, and a dash of concentration. While these medicinal effects can be enjoyed recreationally, medicinal users may depend on cannabis’ therapeutic value to improve their quality of life.

For severe and debilitating pain and medical conditions, edibles can provide you with the high concentrations of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, and more) needed to make a dent in the pain, inflammation, and seizures for all-day relief. Instead of regularly dosing cannabis, you can consume a single edible dose to have relief for up to eight hours.

Cannabis edibles and tinctures can both help patients with everything from sleep problems to chemotherapy treatment.

Tinctures, however, can be easier to consume for those with appetite problems and nausea, as well as those who can’t eat as much or swallow as easily. Eating an entire brownie to find the mildest of relief can get burdensome. Instead, medical users may opt for the concentrated tincture, which can be tasteless, sugarless, and make a great addition to a meal or a cup of tea.

Great Places to Buy CBD Tinctures Online

Interested in a non-intoxicating tincture for fast-relief? Check out these reliable options:

1. CBDFX CBD Tinctures
2. Joy Organics CBD Tinctures
3. Bloom Hemp CBD Tinctures

Great Places to Buy CBD Edibles Online

Want to experience long-lasting and non-intoxicating relief? Explore these CBD edible options:

1. Five CBD Melatonin Gummies
2. CBDFX CBD Edibles
3. Joy Organics CBD Edibles
4. Charlotte's Web CBD Gummies

Tincture High vs Flower High

The effects of using a tincture versus smoking flower from cannabis can vary and depend on a number of factors, such as the strain of cannabis used, the method of consumption, and the individual's tolerance and body chemistry. However, there are some general differences between the two that are worth noting.

Tinctures are a form of cannabis that are typically made by soaking the plant in alcohol to extract the cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. Tinctures are usually taken sublingually, meaning they are placed under the tongue and absorbed into the bloodstream through the blood vessels there.

This method of consumption tends to result in a more fast-acting, though not necessarily more intense, high compared to smoking flower. The onset of effects from tinctures can be felt within 15 minutes to an hour and the high can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.

In contrast, when smoking flower, the THC and other cannabinoids are released into the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to a more rapid onset of effects, usually within minutes, but the high may not last as long as with a tincture.

The intensity of the high can also vary depending on the strain of cannabis used and how it is grown, processed, and stored.

Ultimately, the difference between a tincture high and a flower high will depend on a number of factors and will vary from person to person.

It's important to start with a low dose and to be aware of your own tolerance and reaction to cannabis before trying either form of consumption.

Learn More about Cannabis Delivery Methods at CTU

Interested in learning more about the differences and similarities between tinctures,edibles, and other infused products? Want to learn more about the cannabis plant, its cannabinoids and terpenes, the endocannabinoid system,and the many available products containing its therapeutic compounds?

Check out our blog/resource center for tips on how to make cannabis tincture and edibles, cannabis tincture/edible dosage, how to use cannabis tinctures and edibles, and cannabis tincture and edible side effects. Our informative articles can help you have a safe and effective experience.

For a complete cannabis education, sign up for CTU’s online cannabis college to learn how to use and grow cannabis, as well as how to get a rewarding career in this business.