Cannabis tinctures are one of the simplest and most reliable ways to enjoy THC without smoking or vaping. Whether you choose a smooth oil infusion or a fast-acting alcohol tincture, making them at home gives you full control over flavor, potency, and dosage. With the tCheck Potency Tester, you can measure the exact strength of your infusion before using it in any drink or recipe — no guessing, no wasted batches, and no surprises.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Oven (or dedicated decarb device)
- Two (2) heat-safe mason jars with lids
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- tCheck Potency Tester
- Syringe, dropper, or pipette
- Silicone gummy molds
- Spouted measuring cup
- Silicone spatula
Ingredients:
- Cannabis flower (or concentrate)
- MCT oil or coconut oil (best carrier for gummies)
- Optional: Lecithin (helps gummies set smoother & swallow more cleanly)
Time Overview
|
Step |
Time |
|
Decarb |
30–40 minutes |
|
Oil Infusion |
2–3 hours |
|
Potency Testing (tCheck) |
~2 minutes |
Step 1 — Decarb (Activate THC)
Raw cannabis contains THCa, which must be heated to convert into active THC.This step is critical — it activates the cannabinoids so your gummies actually work.
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Break cannabis into small, even pieces (do not grind — too fine = scorched flavor).
3. Place pieces onto a sheet of aluminum foil, then fold the foil into a tightly sealed pouch (this retains terpenes and reduces odor).
4. Place pouch on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake 45–60 minutes.
6. Let cool before opening the pouch.
Finished look: lightly toasted, not browned or burnt.
Step 2 — Make Your Infused Oil or Alcohol
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°F (or your lowest oven setting).
- In a mason jar, add decarbed cannabis + carrier oil (coconut or MCT recommended). Make sure to add enough oil to fully cover the cannabis
- Loosely seal the lid and place the jar in the oven.
- Infuse for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally
- Cool slightly, then strain through cheesecloth into the other mason jar.
-
Label with:
- Strain name
- Date
- Oil types
- Potency (after testing reference step 3)
Step 2B: Making an Alcohol-Based Cannabis Tincture
Tools You’ll Need
- One (1) mason jars with lid
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- tCheck Potency Tester
- Syringe, dropper, or pipette
Ingredients
- Cannabis flower (or concentrate)
- High-proof grain alcohol
Time Overview
|
Step |
Time |
|
Decarb |
30–40 minutes |
|
Oil Infusion |
2–3 hours |
|
Potency Testing (tCheck) |
~2 minutes |
This method is fast, efficient, and produces a clear, potent tincture. No heat required.
Instructions:
- Combine decarbed cannabis and alcohol in a sealed Mason jar.
- Shake gently every 5 minutes or so
- After 30 minutes, strain through cheesecloth or filter into a clean container.
-
Label with:
- Strain name
- Date
- Alcohol type
- Potency (after testing - reference step 3)
Additional Notes
- Alcohol extracts the cannabinoids (THC) off the plant extremely quickly, so you don’t need to soak for days to get all the good stuff.
- THC is invisible to your naked eyeball. When you soak for a long time, you are extracting all the other stuff from the plant such as chlorophyll. Darker is NOT stronger!
Step 3 — Measure Potency With tCheck
tCheck gives you the real potency number of your tincture in mg/mL: milligrams of THC in each milliliter of your tincture.
1. Place a small sample of your infused oil or alcohol into the testing tray.
2. Insert the tray into tCheck.
3. Run the potency test (~2 minutes).
4. Record the number displayed on your mason jar label — this is your infusion strength.
Step 4 — Precisely Dose Each Drink
tCheck displays the strength or potency of your tincture in mg/mL (or mg/tsp). This means that if you consume 1mL of your tincture, you will get that many mg of THC. For example, if your tincture reads 5.1mg/mL and you want a 10mg dose, just consume 2 milliliters.
Flavor + Recipe Variations
This guide teaches the core tincture process. Add to your favorite drink and enjoy.
Browse some of our favorite flavor variations + full recipes here: https://tcheck.me/blogs/cannabis-tips
Final Notes
- Alcohol tinctures go well into nearly any drink. Just add an eyedropper full and mix.
- MCT tinctures are a great way to go for folks who are going alcohol-free this holiday season. It mixes well into any blended drink or drinks with cream (think eggnog)
- One of our happy tCheck'ers suggested you set out labeled 1mL syringes of this tincture so your guests can enhance their drinks at any level they wish.
Measure. Mix. Master your drink.
