Cannabis Tincture (Green Dragon)

Active time: ~30 minutes | Total time: 2 days (mostly freezer time) | Yield: ~2 oz tincture

A cannabis tincture is a concentrated alcohol-based extract — often called "Green Dragon." High-proof alcohol strips cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, creating a potent liquid you take by the drop. More controlled dosing than edibles, kinder to lungs than smoking.

This recipe uses a cold ethanol extraction method (QWET — Quick Wash Ethanol). Freezing cannabis and alcohol before combining produces a cleaner, more potent tincture with less chlorophyll and lipids.

Requires decarboxylated cannabis as a starting ingredient.

Supplies

• 8 grams decarboxylated cannabis
• 6 oz 190–200 proof food-grade ethanol or 190-proof Everclear
• Freezer-safe glass jars with lids (wide-mouth pint mason jars work well)
• Unbleached coffee filters
• Cheesecloth
• Digital kitchen scale
• Amber glass dropper bottles (2 oz) for final storage

Instructions

Step 1: Decarb Your Cannabis

Follow the decarboxylation guide. Start with a few extra grams since cannabis loses weight during decarb — you need 8g of finished decarbed material.

Step 2: Freeze Cannabis and Alcohol (Separately)

Weigh out 8 grams of decarbed cannabis and add to a freezer-safe glass jar. Put 6 oz of ethanol in a separate freezer-safe container. Do not mix yet. Freeze both for at least 24 hours.

Step 3: First Wash

1. Remove both containers from freezer.
2. Pour only half the cold alcohol (3 oz) into the cannabis jar.
3. Seal and shake vigorously for 5 minutes. Wrap jar in a towel if too cold to hold.
4. Return the cannabis-alcohol mixture AND the remaining 3 oz of plain alcohol to the freezer for 2 hours.

Step 4: Shake and Strain

1. Remove cannabis-alcohol jar from freezer. Shake again for 5 minutes.
2. Set up straining station: place a coffee filter in a clean pint jar, fold over the rim, secure with a jar ring.
3. Place cheesecloth over the cannabis-alcohol jar (ring trick again) and slowly pour through cheesecloth into the coffee filter jar.
4. Return the jar of remaining cannabis to the freezer while first wash strains through the coffee filter (~10 minutes).

Step 5: Second Wash

1. Add the remaining 3 oz of cold plain alcohol to the cannabis jar.
2. Shake vigorously for 5 minutes.
3. Strain through cheesecloth and coffee filter into the same jar as the first wash.

Step 6: Reduce

Allow the strained tincture to sit at room temperature with the lid off for several hours. Place in front of a fan to speed things up. Mark the starting liquid level on the jar. Once it has reduced by half, cap the jar to stop further evaporation. When done right, the finished tincture should be clear and golden in color — not cloudy or green. (Cloudiness or green color means too much chlorophyll/lipids were extracted, likely from insufficient freezing time.)

Step 7: Bottle and Store

Transfer to amber glass dropper bottles. Store in the refrigerator for best quality and longevity.

How to Use

• Sublingual: Put a small amount of water in your mouth first (200-proof ethanol burns), then squirt tincture under your tongue. Effects within 15–30 minutes.
• Oral/mixed: Add drops to a beverage. Slower onset (45–90 min) but longer-lasting effects.
• Edibles: Add measured drops to gummy recipes, chocolates, or other foods for precise dosing.