A cannabis tincture is a liquid extract you dose with a marked dropper, usually placed under the tongue. It is the most dose-precise format we carry. New York caps tinctures at 10 mg THC per serving and up to 1,000 mg total per package, and every bottle ships with a dropper measured in milligrams per milliliter, so you always know exactly how much you are taking.
Taken sublingually (held under the tongue, then swallowed), many people report effects in roughly 15–30 minutes, faster than a standard edible that you swallow whole. That faster, controllable arc is the whole reason to reach for a tincture: small steps, clear math, no smoke, no smell. Effects may vary. Please consume responsibly.
How sublingual dosing actually works
Squeeze the dropper to your target mark, place the liquid under your tongue, and hold it there for 30–60 seconds before swallowing. Holding it lets cannabinoids absorb through the thin tissue under the tongue rather than going straight to the stomach, which is why sublingual onset tends to be quicker than a swallowed dose. If you just swallow a tincture or stir it into a drink, it behaves more like an edible, with onset often in the 45–90 minute range and a longer tail.
How do you dose a cannabis tincture?
Read the bottle's mg/mL, then use the dropper marks. A 1 mL dropper is usually marked at 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mL. On a 10 mg/mL tincture, 0.5 mL is 5 mg and 0.25 mL is 2.5 mg. Start low, wait, then reassess.
Reading the ratio: 1:1, high-THC, and CBD-forward
Ratios are written CBD:THC. A 1:1 tincture has equal milligrams of each, so 10 mg CBD with 10 mg THC. A 20:1 is CBD-forward with only a trace of THC. A THC-only tincture lists just the THC number. The ratio changes the character of the experience, and many people choose a balanced 1:1 when they want less intensity from the THC alone. None of this is a health claim, just chemistry on the label.
- THC-forward (THC only or high-THC): the most psychoactive option, best understood before you try a balanced format.
- Balanced 1:1 (equal CBD and THC): many report a milder, more even experience than THC alone at the same THC dose.
- CBD-forward (10:1, 20:1): minimal THC, often chosen by people who want very little intoxication.
Carrier matters: oil vs. water-soluble
Most tinctures are built on an MCT or other oil carrier, which sits under the tongue well and resists being washed away by saliva. Some newer products are water-soluble (nano-emulsified) and are formulated for faster, more consistent absorption. Alcohol-based tinctures exist too and can absorb quickly, though some people find them sharp under the tongue. None is objectively best; it is about how the format fits your routine.
Are tinctures good for daytime use?
Many people choose tinctures for daytime because they are discreet, odorless, and easy to dose in small increments. A low sublingual dose like 2.5 mg gives you control over intensity. As always, do not drive or operate machinery after use, and give effects time to set in before redosing.
Which tincture should you pick?
- New to cannabis or microdosing: a low-mg/mL THC tincture or a balanced 1:1, dosed at 2.5 mg and adjusted from there.
- Want minimal intoxication: a CBD-forward 20:1.
- Experienced and want efficiency: a higher-mg/mL THC tincture so a smaller dropper volume hits your usual amount.
- Want the fastest, most even onset: ask us about a water-soluble (nano) option.
At The Highline we carry tinctures from independent upstate growers and processors across a range of ratios and strengths, and our budtenders can talk you through mg/mL math at the counter or over same-day delivery to Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, and northern Yonkers. Browse current options and check live potency on each label at /order?category=tinctures.