How to Make Cannabis Tincture

Green Dragon and Golden Dragon Recipes

Cannabis tinctures, often called Green or Golden Dragon depending on the method, are potent liquid extracts made by soaking decarboxylated cannabis flower in high-proof alcohol. The alcohol pulls out cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBG, along with aromatic terpenes, and preserves them in a shelf-stable, easy-to-dose way.

You can take tinctures sublingually for quicker onset, mix them into food and drinks, or use them as the base for infused sugar, edibles, or full extract cannabis oil (FECO).

Green Dragon vs. Golden Dragon Cannabis Tincture

The difference between Green Dragon and Golden Dragon tinctures lies in how they’re made.

Green Dragon:

• Cold-infused over days or weeks

• Dark green color from chlorophyll

• Strong herbal flavor

• Easier to make with basic equipment

• Higher potency from long extraction

Golden Dragon (QWET):

• Quick extraction using frozen alcohol and cannabis

• Shaken and strained in minutes

• Light golden or amber color

• Cleaner taste, lower chlorophyll

• Often preferred for edibles

In short:

• Green Dragon = stronger, slower, earthier

• Golden Dragon = faster, lighter, cleaner

Why Use Alcohol to Make Cannabis Tincture?

High-proof ethanol is ideal for tinctures because:

• It extracts cannabinoids and terpenes effectively

• It’s food-safe when you use alcohol like Everclear (190+ proof)

• It works with both fast and slow methods

• It evaporates cleanly if you want to concentrate the tincture

• It extends shelf life when stored properly

Avoid low-proof alcohols like vodka, which can’t extract cannabinoids well and may promote spoilage.

What You Need To Make a Cannabis Tincture

To make either tincture:

• Decarboxylated cannabis flower (THC, CBD, or CBG)

• High-proof grain alcohol (190–200 proof), such as Everclear or Navimer.

• Mason jars with tight-fitting lids

• Coffee filters or cheesecloth

• Dropper bottles or dark glass jars

• Freezer (for Golden Dragon)

Optional:

• Kitchen scale

• Funnel

• Cup warmer (for reducing alcohol)

How to Calculate The Strength of the Cannabis Tincture

Stoner Math is a simple method for estimating the potency of your tinctures. By doing a little quick math, you can figure out roughly how much THC is in your final product. It helps you avoid making tinctures that are either too strong or too weak to feel. You do not need to be great at math; just follow a few easy steps to get a good idea of your dose.

Basic Ratio1 gram (0.035 ounces) cannabis: 1 ounce (30 ml) high-proof alcoholThis is a flexible rule of thumb that balances potency, extraction efficiency, and ease of filtering. Adjust based on how strong or diluted you want your tincture.

First: THC % × 10 = mg THC per gram of flowerExample: 25% THC ≈ 250 mg THC per gram

Then: Total THC in batch = mg THC per gram × grams usedPer milliliter = Total THC ÷ milliliters of alcohol

Example: Infuse 15 grams (0.53 ounces) at 25% THC: 15 × 250 = 3,750 mg THC in the tinctureWith 450 ml alcohol = ~8.3 mg THC per mlBottled into a 30 ml dropper bottle = ~250 mg THC per bottle

These are rough estimates. Real potency varies based on how well the cannabis is decarboxylated and how efficiently THC binds to the alcohol. Always start low and go slow: try ¼ dropper (about 2 ml) to test the effects, and adjust the amount next time as needed. You can always take more, but you can’t take less.

Check how to calculate the dose here to fine-tune your results.

Golden Dragon (QWET) Freezer Tincture

What You Need to Make Cannabis Tincture at Home:

• 15 grams/ 0.53 oz decarboxylated cannabis

• 450 ml high-proof alcohol

Instructions:

1. Freeze both the alcohol and cannabis in separate jars for at least 24 hours.

2. Combine the frozen cannabis and alcohol in a mason jar. Shake gently.

3. Quick Wash:

   • Return to freezer for 5 minutes

   • Shake again, repeat cycle 3 times

4. Strain through a coffee filter or cheesecloth into a clean jar.

5. Store in a cool, dark place or reduce further to concentrate.

Golden Dragon is clean-tasting and perfect for infusions where flavor matters, like cannabis sugar.

Green Dragon Long Soak Tincture

Ingredients:

• 15 grams decarboxylated cannabis

• 450 ml high-proof alcohol

Instructions:

1. Combine cannabis and alcohol in a sealed mason jar.

2. Shake daily and store in a cool, dark place. The jar will get a bit sticky.

3. Infuse for 3–4 weeks (minimum 24 hours, up to 6 months).

4. Strain the liquid through a filter or cloth into clean dropper bottles.

5. Optional: Reduce the alcohol using a cup warmer to make FECO.

Safety Tip: Never use open flames. Alcohol is highly flammable.

Green Dragon has a strong herbal flavor and works well in gummies, syrups, and potent edible recipes.

How to Use Cannabis Tinctures

Tinctures are incredibly adaptable:

• Sublingual: Place a few drops under the tongue and hold for 30–60 seconds

• In Drinks: Mix into juice, tea, or cocktails

• In Food: Use in sauces or baked goods

• Base for Edibles: Perfect for infused sugars, syrups, or weed gummies.

Start with a low dose (0.25–0.5 ml) and work up slowly. Effects can be stronger than expected depending on the absorption method.

Tips on Making Cannabis Tincture at Home

• Always decarb first: Heat your cannabis at 240°F (115°C) for about 40 minutes

• Label your jars: Include date, strain, and estimated potency

• Store properly: Keep in dark, cool places to preserve cannabinoids

• Start low and go slow: Everyone’s tolerance and endocannabinoid system is different

• Use strain-specific effects: Sativa for daytime, Indica for night, or CBD-rich strains for relief, and check out the terpenes, see what effect you like.

Explore more recipes from Cannawitch in the Canna Culture section at ILGM.

Wrap-Up

Cannabis tinctures are a great way to unlock the full power of your flower. Whether you prefer the traditional strength of Green Dragon or the speed and clarity of Golden Dragon, making your own cannabis tincture is rewarding, customizable, and effective.

Once you become comfortable with the basics, you can play. Try different strains for different effects, combine THCs and CBDs, or use your tincture as the foundation for infused sugars, syrups, gummies, or even FECO. The core skills remain the same. With a bit of practice, your own Green or Golden Dragon can become one of the most versatile tools in your cannabis kitchen.

Ready to take your tinctures to the next level? Try infusing them into cannabis sugar, turning them into FECO, or using them in gourmet edible recipes from Cannawitch in the Canna Culture section.