How to Choose a Hemp Tincture (Oils and Drops)

A hemp tincture is a liquid you measure out with a marked dropper, which makes it one of the more straightforward formats to shop for once you know the label. The numbers on the bottle and a quick look at the lab report tell you most of what you need.

What a hemp tincture is, and how people use it

A tincture is a hemp extract in a liquid base, usually an oil like MCT or hemp seed oil, that comes in a small bottle with a marked dropper. The marks on the dropper are what let you measure a consistent amount each time, which is the main reason people like the format.

There are two common ways people take it. You can place the liquid under the tongue, hold it there for a short time, then swallow, or you can add it to a drink or food. Under the tongue tends to come on faster than swallowing it in a drink, which works more like an edible. Neither is right or wrong, it is about what you prefer. For a full walkthrough, see how to use hemp tinctures, and you can browse what is in stock on the tinctures menu.

Read the total mg and the mg per serving

Two numbers on a tincture label matter most. The total milligrams is how much cannabinoid is in the whole bottle, for example 1000mg of CBD. The milligrams per serving is how much is in one dropper or one marked amount, which is the number you actually measure.

Watch the bottle size too, since 1000mg in a 30ml bottle is more concentrated than 1000mg in a 60ml bottle. A more concentrated tincture means fewer drops for the same amount. If you are new to tinctures, many people start with a smaller measured amount and adjust from there. That is a personal preference, not a medical instruction, and this is educational information, not medical or legal advice.

• Total mg: the amount in the entire bottle.
• Mg per serving: the amount in one marked dropper.
• Bottle size: affects how concentrated the liquid is.

Pick full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, then check the COA

Tinctures come in three types, and the difference is which plant compounds are included.

• Full-spectrum keeps the plant's natural range of cannabinoids and terpenes together, including a trace of THC that stays under the 0.3% Delta-9 limit by dry weight.
• Broad-spectrum keeps many of those compounds but has the THC removed to non-detectable levels.
• Isolate is a single cannabinoid, such as pure CBD, with the other compounds taken out.

Which one is for you comes down to preference and whether you want any THC in the mix. The full breakdown is in full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum vs isolate.

Whichever you choose, confirm there is a COA, a third-party lab report, and that its batch number matches the bottle. The COA shows the real cannabinoid amounts so you can check them against the label, and confirms the product passed testing for contaminants and that Delta-9 THC is under 0.3% by dry weight. Here is how to read a COA. At The Lifted Leaf there is a COA on every product. Everything is hemp-derived and for adults 21+ with a valid government-issued photo ID, and the rules vary and can change.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a hemp tincture?

Read the total milligrams in the bottle and the milligrams per serving on the dropper, decide between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate, and confirm there is a third-party COA that matches the batch. Then pick a bottle size and strength that fits how you plan to use it.

What is the difference between total mg and mg per serving on a tincture?

The total milligrams is how much cannabinoid is in the whole bottle, like 1000mg. The milligrams per serving is how much is in one marked dropper, which is the amount you actually measure out each time. Watch the bottle size too, since it changes how concentrated the liquid is.

Should I get a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate tincture?

It comes down to preference and whether you want any THC included. Full-spectrum keeps the plant's natural compounds with a trace of THC under the 0.3% Delta-9 limit, broad-spectrum removes the THC to non-detectable levels, and isolate is a single cannabinoid like pure CBD. See our full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum vs isolate guide.

How do I take a hemp tincture?

Most people either place the measured liquid under the tongue, hold it briefly, then swallow, or add it to a drink or food. Under the tongue usually comes on faster, while adding it to a drink works more like an edible. This is educational information, not medical advice, and hemp is for adults 21 and over with a valid photo ID.