How to Calculate Tincture Potency
To calculate the potency of your homemade cannabis tincture using lab results, you’ll need to work with a few key variables: the amount of cannabis used, its THC percentage, and the total volume of the tincture. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you estimate potency.
1. Find THC Content in Cannabis (from Lab Results)
Lab-tested cannabis provides a THC percentage by weight. For example, if your cannabis has a 20% THC content, this means there are 200 mg of THC per gram of flower (THC % x 10 = mg of THC per gram). This value gives you the starting point for your calculations.
2. Adjust for Decarboxylation (If Needed)
If your tincture is meant to contain active THC rather than THCA, you will need to decarboxylate your cannabis. This process typically reduces the THC content by about 20% due to cannabinoid loss during heating. So, to adjust, multiply the initial THC mg by 0.8 (e.g., 200 mg x 0.8 = 160 mg of THC per gram after decarboxylation)  .
3. Calculate Total THC in the Tincture
Multiply the adjusted THC content by the total grams of cannabis used. For example, if you’re using 7 grams of decarboxylated cannabis with 160 mg of THC per gram, the total THC content is 7 x 160 mg = 1,120 mg of THC in the tincture batch  .
4. Determine Potency per Milliliter (ml)
Divide the total THC content by the total volume of your tincture. If your tincture volume is 150 ml, then the potency per ml is 1,120 mg / 150 ml = ~7.5 mg/ml  .
Example Calculation
Let’s break it down with an example:
Cannabis used: 10 grams of cannabis with 15% THC
Total tincture volume: 200 ml
• Step 1: Calculate THC content before decarboxylation: 15% x 10 = 1500 mg of THC.
• Step 2: Adjust for decarboxylation: 1500 mg x 0.8 = 1200 mg of THC.
• Step 3: Divide by tincture volume: 1200 mg / 200 ml = 6 mg of THC per ml.
Important Considerations
Start low and go slow: With homemade tinctures, potency can vary. Always start with a low dose to assess the effects.
Variability: Factors like extraction efficiency and even mixing affect potency, so consider using a dosage calculator to refine your estimates
