Cannabis products have grown in number to include flowers, edibles, and a variety of concentrate sources. One cannabis concentrates that have been on the rise in incidence is liquid THC. What is liquid THC, how it is made, and how do you use it? We have collected your questions in this quick guide.
What is Liquid THC?
Liquid THC is a highly potent product that can be extracted from cannabis flowers, leaves, and other plant material. THC is a chemical compound found in plants. As you may already know, THC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. In addition, it’s found to be one of the most abundant cannabinoids found in cannabis. Liquid THC can be taken in the form of a drink or inhaled as a vape.
The process of making liquid THC is typically performed in a carefully controlled laboratory setting, but home extraction methods are also available. The THC concentration in professionally extracted liquid THC can be up to 90%. This plant has a significantly higher concentration of THC than dry flower, which usually ranges between 15 and 25%. For this reason, people who consume liquid THC should exercise caution when doing so, especially if it is their first time. Those who are sensitive to THC or who have anxiety or paranoia may benefit from buying less-concentrated cannabis.
How to Use Liquid THC
The benefits of liquid THC include a wide range of potential effects. Three of the most common ways liquid THC can be used are below.
Vaping
Some vapers use commercially-made liquid THC in their products. This process typically results in an almost immediate onset of the effects of THC consumption. It offers the convenience and portability of smoking dry flowers, but with reduced odor. This means that liquid THC can be more discreet. Vaping on average uses lower temperatures than smoking, which can mean less loss of cannabinoids and less irritation to your lungs. The long-term side effects of vaping are not yet fully known. Along with risks that come from recreational substances, there are additional health risks associated with vaping.
Sublingual Method
The simplest way for most people to consume liquid THC is with a dropper. Commonly seen with CBD oil is the cannabinoid absorption through the thin membrane of the soft skin within your mouth When THC is consumed as oral dosing, it passes through the stomach. This can be less effective than swallowing it because many cannabinoids are destroyed by stomach acid and not absorbed into the bloodstream at all. You may find that taking marijuana as a liquid tincture under your tongue and waiting for 1-2 minutes before swallowing will help the cannabinoids absorb faster into your system.
Edibles
Mixing liquid THC with edible products will create a tasty dish that also has medicinal benefits. One of the benefits of liquid THC is that it has already been decarboxylated before you buy it. Decarboxylating and infusing cannabis with fat before it is added to most edibles can take 3 hours or more.
Liquid THC can be quickly added to any recipe, saving time and effort. You can add cannabis concentrate to what you’re cooking, making it easier for both kids and adults. Remember that when cooking with cannabis, the cannabinoid levels in your food can decrease if they are exposed to high temperatures. People often don’t realize that edibles are also slower to take effect than vape or smoking. After consuming marijuana, wait at least 2 hours before increasing your dose.
How to Make Liquid THC
THC-infused products sold by reputable companies are the safest way to ensure you’re getting a quality product. However, some people may want to avoid that and try their hand at making their liquid THC. There are three ways to create liquid THC—either hot, cold, or room temperature. This homemade method uses alcohol so it is not recommended for vapers who are under the drinking age. It is best taken either by mouth or added to food products. To make your liquid THC, you’ll need:
- Cannabis: It’s up to you to decide how much cannabis you will use to create your liquid THC. To calculate the amount of THC in your final product, multiply the number of grams you’re using by 1000 to determine the number of milligrams, then multiply this number by the THC percentage. For example, if you use 5 grams of cannabis that has a THC concentration of 25 percent, the resulting liquid THC would contain 1250 mg THC: 5(1000)(.25)=1250
- Alcohol: Use high-proof neutral alcohol such as Everclear for best results. Do not use isopropyl(rubbing) alcohol.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Grinder or scissors
- Mason jar
- Cheesecloth or strainer bag
To use this cooking method, you will need a saucepan and a digital kitchen thermometer.
Step 1: Grind and Decarboxylate
The first step to making edibles is decarboxylating your cannabis for THC to be activated. Place your oven at 240°F/115°C and preheat. Using your grinder or scissors, grind or chop your cannabis until the pieces are roughly the size of a grain of rice. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the ground cannabis evenly onto the sheet of paper. Place in the oven for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Your cannabis should look slightly toasted but not burnt. Remove the pan from the oven and allow your cannabis to cool.
Step 2: Jar, Store, and Steep
Once cooled, place your decarboxylated cannabis into the Mason jar. Add sufficient alcohol to submerge the plant matter. If using the room-temperature fermentation method, close the lid of the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark location. Allow the mixture to steep for a minimum of fourteen days or up to two months. Shake the jar periodically to help the cannabinoids incorporated with the alcohol. When you’re ready, use a cheesecloth or strainer bag to separate the solid material from the liquid THC. Store in an airtight container.
Step 3 (Cold Method): Freeze, Shake, and Strain
Place your jar in the freezer for one week, remembering to give the jar a shake when you’re around. To make the tincture, place plant material in a jar or bottle large enough to hold it. Once ready, strain out all of the plant material before carrying on with whatever you plan to do with the finished product (storing, consuming).
Step 3 (Hot Method): Heat, Cool, and Strain
In the hot method, place a saucepan with water on the stove and bring it to a simmer. Add the jar to the water and use the digital thermometer so that the contents do not exceed 170°F/76°C.Avoid burning the mixture by turning down your stove’s temperature. Continue heating the water for 30 minutes. Allow the container holding the liquid THC to cool before adding a teaspoon of sugar, straining the plant matter from the mixture.
Step 4: Preserve and Store
When storing liquid THC, remember to store it in a cool dark area. Consider purchasing dark-colored dropper bottles to shield the light and for easier use. There are many sources for these supplements, like online or your local health food store.
One of the strongest cannabis products available today is liquid THC, which is also one of the easiest to use. Now that you know the ins and outs, consider picking up some liquid THC in a dispensary or making your own!
