Tincture vs Edible: Which is Better (for You)?

Edibles are one of the most traditional and beloved ways of consuming cannabis. A less popular but still traditional and effective cannabis product, the tincture, has started to pique consumers' interest as a healthy, potent infused option. And while tinctures are often grouped with edibles, they are rather different.

So, tincture vs edible. Which is better for you? In this article, we compare the two. To help you determine which is better, we will review four main areas:

• Health effects
• Cost
• Convenience
• Enjoyment factor

What Are Edibles?

Edibles are a type of food or beverage item infused with one or more cannabis concentrates (like rosin, hash, RSO, or distillate). Edibles are typically dosed in 5-10mg increments of THC or CBD when purchased at a legal dispensary. 

Edibles can come in classic baked goods like Big Pete’s Treats' classic chocolate chip cookies or in traditional chocolate bars like those from Kiva. As the market has evolved, additional unique infused items, such as olive oil, hot sauce, granolas, hard candies, and beverages, have become available.

Edibles can also be easily made at home using infused fats and oils, commonly butter. 

Edibles Pros and Cons

Pros

• Precisely dosed. Edibles come in packages of dosed-out pieces, making it easy to gauge and consume within your comfort zone. Typical pieces usually contain 5-10mg of THC and/or CBD per piece.
• https://www.wyldcanna.com/us/products/huckleberry/Assortment of types and flavors. There are many fun edible flavors and styles, like Chewee’s classic Caramels, Emerald Sky's Peanut Butter Cups, and Wyld's Huckleberry hybrid gummies. Some options even have CBD and other cannabinoids (like CBN or CBG) blended in.
• Less intimidating. For most novice users, edibles are the least daunting way to introduce themselves to the intoxicating effects of cannabis. Compared to smoking or vaping, it’s a little more beginner-friendly.
• Intense effects. When cannabis is smoked, it enters the bloodstream through the lungs and is delivered to the brain within minutes. Because edibles are processed through the stomach and liver, they are metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, which can lead to a more intense experience. For users with a higher tolerance, edibles can help achieve their desired results.
• Easily accessible. In most legal medical cannabis states, some form of edibles is available. Whereas some states with MMJ programs restrict smoking and/or vaping.
• Duration. The effects of an edible can last anywhere from 6-12 hours, but some experts report that residual effects can last 12-24 hours.
• Reasonable prices. Because of their accessibility, effectiveness, and ease of manufacture, edibles are usually available at affordable prices. Single-dose edibles can be as little as a dollar, but a standard package of 100mg often ranges from $15-25.

Cons

• Intense effects. Because they can take up to 2 hours to take effect, some users end up consuming more than they need, resulting in more pronounced effects than desired. There are some microdose edibles available, but the variety can be limited.
• Duration. With 4 to 6 hours of lasting effects (or more) and residual effects of up to 24 hours, some users may find edibles to be too much of a commitment.
• Premeasured dosage. Sometimes, users need just 2.5mg, and splitting a 10mg edible yourself can make it hard to get the precise dosage you need. Alternatively,  higher tolerance users may need 100mg or more to feel anything — this can get expensive when most states cap milligram dosage per package to around 100 mg.
• Onset time. Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. The unpredictability can be difficult for some consumers, who may take an extra dose too early (or need faster relief than an edible can provide).
• Less predictable in their effects. Some people don’t experience any intoxicating effects when they take edibles. This experience is fairly common but often isn’t realized until after many failed attempts. And because many edibles aren’t produced from a single strain – or don’t list the strain used – medical patients may struggle to find a product that delivers the desired effects.
• Dietary Issues. The edibles menu can be challenging to navigate for users with dietary restrictions. While there are a growing number of gluten-free, vegan, and non-dairy options, they remain less common than high-sugar options like chocolates, gummies, and baked goods.

Check out our comparison guide, Edibles vs. Smoking, to see how edibles stack up to smoking.

What are Cannabis Tinctures?

Tinctures are alcohol- or oil-based liquids that can be infused with cannabis. They are technically considered cannabis concentrates, though many consumers approach tinctures like they would edibles. 

Tinctures have been used throughout history as medical and herbal remedies. The first Western documentation of cannabis tinctures was in a medical journal in 1843. Tinctures are commonly consumed sublingually, left under the tongue to absorb into the mucous membranes for 10-15 seconds. Consumers can also use tinctures by infusing them into food or beverages or applying them topically for various skin conditions.

There are a few different categories of tinctures. Full-spectrum, or whole plant, contains all types of cannabinoids and terpenes found in a given cultivar (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, myrcene, caryophyllene, etc.). Broad-spectrum is similar to full-spectrum, but without the THC. And, less common since they don’t utilize the entourage effect, isolates include only a single cannabinoid, like THC or CBD. 

While many tinctures use MCT oil, like olive or coconut oil, others use alcohol (a process that can be replicated at home with alcohol or glycerin as a solvent).

Cannabis Tincture Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exact dosages. A calibrated dropper is often included with tinctures, allowing users to measure precise doses.
• Basic ingredients. Most tinctures, unless flavored, are just a mix of MCT oil & cannabis.
• Variety of ratios, more cannabinoids. Tinctures can come as isolated THC, pure CBD, or a cannabinoid ratio (ranging from 1:1 to 30:1 or higher), allowing consumers to tailor their experience. 
• Products last longer. Tinctures can come in bottles containing up to 1,000mg of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. So depending on the desired dosage, tinctures can last much longer than the standard 100mg edibles available at the local dispensary.
• Faster onset time. Because many users consume tinctures by placing the liquid under their tongue, it is believed that tinctures absorb more quickly through the mucous membranes. The effects of sublingual products, such as tinctures, are commonly reported to be felt within 15 to 30 minutes. However, we recommend waiting the full 2 hours between doses to ensure each dose has plenty of time to take full effect. Applied topically, tinctures have no intoxicating effects.
• Duration. Like edibles, tincture effects can last for 6 to 8 hours.
• Higher concentrations. Tinctures can be up to 1,000mg per container, which is desirable for users with higher tolerances or those who want their product to last longer.

Cons

• Pricey. Because of their higher THC content, tinctures can run a bit higher in price. Some can run over $100 per bottle.
• Flavor. Most tinctures, unless flavored, have a very earthy taste that may not appeal to all consumers.
• Duration. 6-8 hours of effects can be too long for some users to commit to.

Tincture vs Edible: Which is Healthier?

Tinctures tend to contain fewer ingredients than edibles, which can be loaded with sugar and potential allergens. Many tinctures are also full-spectrum and boast higher concentrations of cannabinoids, which can be better for achieving the entourage effect and delivering potent effects.

Tinctures vs. Edibles: Cost Comparison

Edibles can range from as little as $5 to $100 for higher-end options. The average price for a 100mg package is about $15. Meanwhile, tinctures typically range from $30 to $200. However, it’s worth noting that many tinctures possess 2-5 times as many cannabinoids as edibles, justifying the price for many consumers. 

Effects from both edibles and tinctures last about 6 to 8 hours. Edibles have a shelf life of about 3-6 months and can go up to 1 year, and tinctures have a shelf life of up to 10 years. 

Many consumers will go through 100mg of edibles faster than 1,000mg of tinctures, giving tinctures the edge on price despite the higher per-product cost. But if a consumer has a positive experience with edibles, they can provide a more flavorful and potent experience for a reasonable price.

Tincture vs Edibles: Which is More Convenient?

Edibles are more readily available for purchase, but both tinctures and edibles are fast and simple to use. Both are easy to store or travel with (remember not to carry cannabis products across state lines). 

And consumers can easily make edibles or tinctures at home.

Tincture vs Edibles: Enjoyment Factor

Edibles provide a more potent high because of how they are metabolized in our bodies. Edible flavors are also considered superior to tinctures, offering a wide range of fruit flavors and chocolate varieties. Unless you can find flavored options, tinctures may be less palatable. 

When consumed sublingually, the effects of tinctures can reportedly be felt 2-8 times faster than those of an edible. However, this hasn’t been sufficiently demonstrated, and consumers should wait a full 2 hours between doses to avoid overconsuming. 

So while you can’t go wrong with either edibles or tinctures, edibles offer a more flavorful experience for discerning consumers.

Summary: Tincture vs Edibles

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.