# Tincture

> A tincture is a liquid cannabis preparation in which cannabinoids are dissolved in alcohol, glycerin or oil, usually taken by dropper.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/tincture.html
- Also written: tinctures, cannabis tincture, alcohol tincture, glycerin tincture, tincture drops
- Glossary category: Processing · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A tincture is a traditional pharmacy form: a plant preparation dissolved in a liquid carrier. In cannabis it means a dropper-bottle liquid in which [cannabinoids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md) are dissolved in alcohol (the original meaning), vegetable glycerin, or a carrier oil. Products labelled tinctures today are often oil-based, sometimes made by blending [distillate](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/distillate.md) or isolate into the carrier rather than steeping the plant.

## In practice

Product labels usually state cannabinoid content per millilitre and per dropper. Whether the cannabinoids are in acid or neutral form depends on whether [decarboxylation](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/decarboxylation.md) happened in production; the label or [COA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/coa.md) should state it. Cannabis tinctures were common in Western pharmacopoeias in the 19th and early 20th centuries before prohibition. GenetixBay doesn't give preparation methods, dosing or health claims; effects are reported, not promised. Rules vary; check local rules.

## Don't confuse with

- **Edible**: food or drink containing cannabinoids.
- **Concentrate**: separated resin, not a diluted liquid.
- **Extract**: a broader term; a tincture is one type of liquid preparation.

## Related terms

[Edible](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/edible.md), [Decarboxylation](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/decarboxylation.md), [Concentrate](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/concentrate.md), [Solvent-based extract](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/solvent-based-extract.md)