How to dose cannabis tinctures

Cannabis tinctures are solutions that contain cannabis extract in a carrier liquid, such as alcohol, oil, or glycerin. They’re usually taken sublingually, which means they’re placed under the tongue.

Like other cannabis products, tinctures may offer certain health benefits for:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Inflammation

Tinctures come in dropper bottles for easy and precise dosing, but they vary in strength depending on how much cannabis extract they contain. If you’re just getting started with tinctures or trying out a new formulation, it can be challenging to determine the right dosage for your specific needs.

Read on for a guide to tincture dosing, including a helpful tincture dosage chart and dosage calculator.

Understanding how to dose tinctures

If you’re using a cannabis tincture to help with a health condition, finding the right dose is important. A dose that’s too low may not offer significant benefits, while a dose that’s too high may cause stronger effects than intended.

Cannabis tincture doses are measured by the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other helpful cannabinoids they provide in a single use. Cannabinoids are compounds in cannabis that interact with your body to produce therapeutic effects.

Your doctor can help you choose a dose that addresses your needs. You’ll want to consider:

• Your cannabis tolerance
• Whether or not you’re taking other medications
• Your unique health concerns

THC tincture dosage calculator

Use this THC tincture dosage calculator to help you figure out exact your dose based on your tincture’s formula.

When calculating the dosage amount, you’ll first need to read the product label to find:

• Bottle size: How many total milliliters (mL) are in the bottle. A standard dropper bottle is 1 ounce, or approximately 30 mL.
• Cannabinoid (THC) content: How many milligrams (mg) of cannabinoids are in the whole tincture. This includes THC and other cannabinoids, if applicable.
• Dropper size: The volume contained in one dropper. A standard dropper is 1 mL.

Then, you can input the information into the dosage calculator.

To manually calculate the number of mg of THC in each dropper, simply divide the total amount of THC (in mg) by the total number of mL in the bottle. This gives you the amount of THC in 1 mL, a common dropper size.

Keep in mind that you can lower your dose by consuming only half or a quarter of the amount in a dropper. Not all manufacturers use a 1 mL dropper, so be sure to check your product’s packaging before taking the dose.

Tincture dosage chart

For a quick and easy way to determine your cannabis tincture dose, use this tincture dosage chart.

CBD tincture dosage

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating compound in cannabis. Like THC, CBD can help with certain health issues, including:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Chronic pain
• Inflammation

Some cannabis tinctures are made with CBD instead of THC. When determining your CBD tincture dose, simply follow the same guidelines as you would for a THC tincture: divide the total amount of CBD (in mg) by the number of mL in the bottle to find the amount of CBD per 1 mL.

Finding your ideal tincture dose

Consider the following tips when choosing the right cannabis tincture dosage:

• Consult with a healthcare professional: Your doctor can help you figure out the right dose according to your personal needs. Tell them if you’re taking any medications, as some can interact with cannabis.
• Start low and go slow: A good rule of thumb when using any new cannabis product is to start low and go slow. Cannabis tinctures that contain THC can cause intoxication, so it’s best to start with a low dose around 2.5 to 5 mg and increase the amount slowly until you reach the desired effects.
• Read the product label carefully: The label on your tincture can tell you how potent the formula is and its cannabinoid content. For example, some tinctures contain pure THC, while others contain pure CBD or equal parts of both.
• Store your tincture properly when not in use: Tinctures can lose their strength when not stored properly. It’s best to store them in a dark, dry, and cool area, such as a cabinet or drawer.

The bottom line: Choosing the right tincture dose can help you find relief

Finding the perfect tincture dose for your needs may take some trial and error. Ultimately, it’s best to start low and go slow until you begin to feel relief from your health symptoms.

If you require more personalized guidance on dosing with cannabis tinctures, schedule an appointment with your doctor or a Leafwell telepharmacist who can help you find a dosing plan that works for you.

Get your medical card

Select State

Get started

Resources

• Therapeutic benefits of cannabis: A patient survey. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3998228/