As a versatile and multi-faceted product, cannabis can be used or consumed in several ways depending on your health and personal goals.
For instance, those looking to gain the ‘high’ can go for THC-rich products such as smokeable flowers and concentrates. While those needing its medicinal properties can go for CBD-dominant products like tinctures and edibles.
Nevertheless, most cannabis products starting from flowers to high-end tinctures come with various concentrations of CBD, THC, and other minor cannabinoids that you can choose from depending on your goals and the preferred method of consumption.
Depending on the type of product, the intensity as well as the onset of effects may further vary from person to person based on several individual factors such as the metabolism and lifestyle of the user.
To explain it further, let us compare two of the most common forms of cannabis used by pot lovers i.e. smokeable flowers and edible tinctures.
Tinctures are edibles oils and solutions that are made by extracting cannabinoids from a cannabis plant in a liquid form using a solvent, typically alcohol.
Once the desired cannabinoids are extracted, the solvent is then filtered out leaving a highly concentrated form of cannabis in a liquid form.
Tinctures can be used both orally and sublingually, meaning by pouring a few drops under the tongue for instant absorption through salivary glands.
Due to the ease of consumption, cannabis tinctures are becoming quite popular among cannabis users, especially, among those who do not fancy the practice of smoking or care enough about their calorie intake in the case of edibles.
Either way, as easy as they are to use, cannabis tinctures purport to have high concentrations of desired compounds including THC, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids.
They also come in isolated forms with rich amounts of single cannabinoids for a superior and long-lasting experience.
What is a Flower High?
A flower or bud is the most common and abundant form of cannabis that you can get your hands on.
Generally used for smoking purposes, these dried buds refer to cannabis flowers that can also be used for making edibles and extracting other types of concentrates including cannabis tinctures.
That’s because, out of all the different parts of a cannabis plant, the flowers may very well be the most potent part as they happen to maintain the highest concentration of different cannabinoids including THC and CBD, and other compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids in what’s called trichomes, the soft and crystalline structure or the resinous layer that coats the plant’s flowers and leaves.
As such, weed flowers not only end up having higher potency levels but also tend to have strong aromatic profiles that usually depend on the strain or cultivar.
In any case, flowers can be used for smoking, vaping, and cooking homemade cannabis-infused food dishes.
They come in various strengths and flavors too, and are claimed to be the most popular form of cannabis since olden times.
Comparing Effects: Tincture High vs. Flower High
As you must get the idea, tincture high and flower high refer to the intoxicating effects of weed specifically the infamous “high” that it is known for.
As the main psychoactive compound in weed, it is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) at the end that gives cannabis products including flowers and tinctures their respective highs.
The more the THC, the higher the ‘high’ and the longer the overall effects.
That said, let us take a closer look at all the integral factors that define their effects.
1. Onset of effects
Since tinctures are meant to be taken orally, they usually take about the same amount of time as edibles do to kick their effects. Depending on the person’s metabolism, this can be anywhere between 1-2 hours.
To fast forward the process though, you can always consume them sublingually i.e. by putting a couple of drops under the tongue for an instant absorption of the content through the mucous membrane present in the mouth, especially under the tongue.
Flowers, on the other hand, are usually meant for smoking and tend to have a faster onset of effects as they may start to appear within a few minutes of taking a puff.
2. Duration and intensity of the effects
As fast as they are, the effects of smoked cannabis are relatively shorter-lived than that of tinctures as they last for around 1-3 hours.
Whereas, tinctures despite being gradual in showing their effects have longer-lasting effects that can last for up to 4-6 hours.
3. Method of consumption or the versatility of use
Tinctures can be taken directly or infused in food items and beverages.
Flowers, albeit mainly used for smoking, can also be consumed via vaping, dabbing, and cooking food goods and snacks.
4. Discretion
Tinctures also offer superior discretion as they are entirely smoke-free and do not require any special apparatuses or preparation as is the case with flowers.
Besides the lack of smoke and foul odor, tinctures have zero effects on your throat and lungs making them a safer alternative for medicinal users.
Smoking, however, does come with its risks of respiratory issues while the smoke itself may draw unnecessary attention and bother others around you.
As enjoyable as it is, smoking is best suited for private settings; while tinctures can be used even on the go.
Similarly, there are other benefits of both that one should be aware of before making their choice.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each Method
• Benefits of Cannabis Flowers
• Instant effects.
• Full range of cannabinoids for an enhanced experience.
• Plethora of strains and flavors to choose from.
• Great for social and friendly interactions.
• Drawbacks of Cannabis Flowers
• Health risks (damage to throat and lungs).
• Shorter duration of effects.
• Non-discretion and strong smell.
• Lack of precision in dosing.
• Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures
• Easy to use.
• Discreet consumption.
• Precise dosing.
• Longer-lasting effects.
• Drawbacks of Cannabis Tinctures
• Slower onset of effects.
• Lack of taste due to higher concentrations of cannabinoids.
• Not suitable for social circles as compared to sharing joints.
Which Option Is Right for You?
As you can see, each option comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, choosing the one that is right for you depends largely on your personal goals and budget.
While smokeable flowers are one of the cheapest cannabis products out there; tinctures happen to be slightly expensive due to the heavy concentrations of different cannabinoids in their purest forms.
Apart from the cost, the method of consumption you prefer can also play a major role in making the decision.
That is, while those who don’t mind smoking can always go for flowers and smokeable concentrates, medicinal users might want to try tinctures and other non-smokeable forms of cannabis as a safer alternative.
Similarly, for those who consume weed with friends and social circles, flowers may be the better and ultimate choice; whereas, those who do it in private and only to gain the medical effects of weed might want to stick to tinctures and other edibles.
Conclusion
Tinctures and flowers are two distinct forms of cannabis products that vary in many aspects.
From how they are extracted to how they are consumed to the kind of effects that they produce, tinctures and flowers are entirely different.
Albeit, both are available in various concentrations and strengths, tinctures happen to be relatively slower in their effects while smoked flowers tend to deliver the effects almost too immediately after inhaling the puff.
However, tinctures certainly have longer-lasting effects than flowers as they do not involve any combustion or burning of the content as is the case with smoking.
Plus, they are discreet and marginally safer than smoking, period.
Frequently Asked Questions
The major difference in their effects lies in their onset and duration. That is, tinctures have a slower onset of effects that last longer than smoked flowers. The latter has a faster onset of effects but waves off relatively quickly.
Depending on the concentration of THC and other minor cannabinoids, the effects of tinctures and flowers may vary.
Being highly concentrated in pure cannabinoids, tinctures can maintain as much as 99% of THC making them one of the strongest variations of cannabis products.
A tincture high can last for up to 4-6 hours; whereas, the effects of smoked cannabis may only last for up to 1-3 hours depending on their potency levels.
Being smoke-free and combustion-free, tinctures certainly happen to be healthier for your lungs and throat as compared to flowers, especially when they are consumed via smoking.
Yes, since tinctures can be found in isolated forms with no THC, they can be easily ingested with no fear of intoxication or the high.
In that, CBD isolates and broad-spectrum tinctures can offer all the health benefits of weed without causing the high.
