How to Make a CBD or THC Tincture Using MCT Oil
- GTA Seeds
- May 28
- 5 min read
Updated: May 29
🌿 How to Make a CBD or THC Tincture Using MCT Oil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tinctures are one of the most versatile and effective ways to consume cannabis. Whether you're after the therapeutic benefits of CBD or the psychoactive effects of THC, tinctures provide a discreet, fast-acting, and precise dosing method. And best of all? You can easily make them at home with MCT oil as the carrier.
🧪 What Is a Tincture?
A tincture is a concentrated herbal extract typically made by soaking plant material in alcohol or oil. In cannabis tinctures, cannabinoids like CBD or THC are extracted from the flower or trim and suspended in a carrier—in this case, MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides derived from coconut oil).
In these videos, pure Distillate or Isolate extracts are used to make Tinctures, you can use full-spectrum extracts but the flavor will be a bit bitter compared to Isolate or Distillate. All Cannabis Extracts will dissolve in MCT Oil.
Check out our Blog about Cannabis Oil Extraction Using Cold Alcohol, if you want to use a more potent Cannabis extract instead of Cannabis flower for your tincture.
🔍 Why Use MCT Oil?
MCT oil is a popular carrier oil because:
It boosts bioavailability, helping your body absorb cannabinoids more effectively.
It’s flavorless and odorless, making it ideal for sublingual use.
It has antibacterial properties and a long shelf life.
It's keto-friendly and easily digestible.
🧾 Ingredients & Supplies
🧴 Ingredients:
7–10 grams of high-quality decarboxylated cannabis (THC, CBD, or a mix)
1 cup of MCT oil (organic preferred)
🛠️ Supplies:
Baking tray and parchment paper
Double boiler or slow cooker
Mason jar or glass container with lid
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Funnel
Amber dropper bottles for storage
Optional: Lecithin (for enhanced bioavailability)
🔥 Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Decarboxylate the Cannabis
To activate THC or CBD, you must decarboxylate the flower.
Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C).
Break up cannabis buds and spread on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Bake for:
THC-dominant strains: ~40 minutes
CBD-dominant strains: ~60 minutes (CBD decarbs at a slightly higher temp)
Cool before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Combine Cannabis & MCT Oil
Place decarboxylated cannabis into a mason jar or directly in a slow cooker/double boiler.
Add 1 cup of MCT oil, ensuring the herb is fully submerged.
Optional: Add 1 tsp of sunflower or soy lecithin to boost absorption.
Step 3: Infuse the Mixture
Stovetop (Double Boiler) Method:
Simmer gently for 2–3 hours on low heat (keep under 160°F or 71°C).
Stir occasionally. Don’t let the mixture boil.
Slow Cooker Method:
Cook on low for 4–6 hours.
Stir occasionally. Keep the lid slightly ajar to prevent pressure build-up.
Tip: Always monitor temperature! Too high, and you’ll degrade cannabinoids and terpenes.
Step 4: Strain the Tincture
Allow the oil to cool slightly.
Use a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to filter the oil into a clean jar.
Squeeze out as much oil as possible, but be gentle to avoid plant matter in the final product.
Step 5: Bottle and Store
Use a funnel to transfer the filtered oil into amber glass dropper bottles.
Label each bottle with strain, date, and CBD/THC content if known.
Store in a cool, dark place. It should last 6–12 months if stored properly.
🧪 Dosing Tips
If you don’t have lab testing, estimate potency like this:
Approximate Formula: THC or CBD in mg = grams of flower × % cannabinoid × 1000
Example:
10g of 20% THC cannabis = 10 × 0.20 × 1000 = 2000mg THC total
In 1 cup (240ml) of MCT oil, that’s ~8.3mg THC per ml
Start with 0.25–0.5 ml sublingually, wait 60 minutes, and increase gradually.
🧮 Dosage Formula - Cannabis Concentrate
(mg of concentrate × potency as decimal) ÷ total ml of oil = mg/ml
✍️ Input Calculator Table
Variable | Your Input | Example |
Type of Concentrate | Select one | THC Distillate |
Weight of Concentrate Used (mg) | _____ mg | 1000 mg (1g) |
Potency (%) | _____ % | 90% = 0.90 |
Carrier Oil Used (ml) | _____ ml | 30 ml (1 oz) |
✅ Example Calculation
Concentrate: THC Distillate
Amount: 1000mg
Potency: 95% = 0.95
Carrier Oil: 30ml
Step 1:1000mg × 0.95 = 950mg total THC
Step 2:950mg ÷ 30ml = 31.6mg THC per ml
🧪 Tincture Potency Per Dropper
Dropper Size | mg per ml (e.g. 31.6mg) |
0.25ml | 7.9mg |
0.5ml | 15.8mg |
1ml (full) | 31.6mg |
💡 Quick Reference Potency Table
Here is a dosage calculator for Cannabis or CBD tinctures using 1000mg (1 gram) of concentrate mixed with 30ml of carrier oil (like MCT)
Concentrate (1g) | Potency | Potency milligrams | Oil Volume | Est. Potency (mg/ml) |
THC Full-Spectrum Oil | 70% | 700mg | 30ml | 23.3mg/ml |
THC Rosin | 75% | 750mg | 30ml | 25.0 mg/ml |
Shatter | 85% | 850mg | 30ml | 28.3mg/ml |
Distillate | 95% | 950mg | 30ml | 31.6mg/ml |
THCA Diamonds | 99% | 990mg | 30ml | 33mg/ml (after decarboxylation |
CBD Isolate | 100% | 1000mg | 30ml | 33.3mg/ml |
Cannabis Edibles Calculator
💡 Ways to Use Your Cannabis Tincture
Sublingually: Place drops under your tongue for fast absorption.
In Edibles: Mix into smoothies, coffee, salad dressings, or baked goods.
Topically: Use directly on skin (for localized effects).
Capsules: Fill Veg capsules for an easy-to-swallow dose. Don't use Gel capsules because they dissolve faster compared to Veg Capsules, keep your capsules in the fridge or freezer to prevent them from leaking or dissolving.
THCA Diamonds For Tinctures
How to Decarboxylate THCA Diamonds – A Brief Guide
Decarboxylation is the process that activates THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) by removing a carboxyl group, converting it into THC — the psychoactive compound in cannabis. THCA diamonds are nearly pure THCA, so proper decarbing is crucial if you want to use them in edibles, tinctures, or oils.
Steps to Decarboxylate THCA Diamonds:
Preheat Your Oven - Set your oven to 250°F (121°C). This is a safe temperature to decarb THCA without degrading the final THC.
Prepare the Diamonds - Place the THCA diamonds on parchment paper in a heat-safe glass-borosilicate container. Spread them out to allow even heating.
Cover loosely - Lightly cover the container with foil or a lid to reduce terpene loss while allowing pressure release.
Bake for 25–35 Minutes - Place the container in the oven and bake for about 25–35 minutes. The diamonds will begin to melt and bubble slightly as the carboxyl group is released as CO₂.
Cool and Store - Remove from the oven and let the extract cool. Once cooled, the THCA will have converted to active THC, ready for infusion or formulation.
Note: Use a reliable oven thermometer and avoid overheating to preserve potency and purity.
✅ Final Tips
Use CBD-dominant strains for anxiety, inflammation, and calm focus.
Use THC-dominant strains for pain relief, sleep, and euphoria.
A balanced CBD: THC ratio can offer the best of both worlds.
Always label your homemade products clearly.
🌱 Conclusion
Making your own CBD or THC tincture using MCT oil is a great way to take control of your cannabis experience. Whether for wellness or recreation, tinctures offer a discreet, customizable, and long-lasting method of consumption.
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