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Cannabis oil is the quietest thing in our cabinet at 65 Regent Road, and it is the format members ask the most questions about. What is the difference between a tincture and distillate? How many drops should you take? This is the guide we give members who are new to oils.
The short answer: Cannabis oil is cannabis extract carried in a dropper bottle or a capsule, so you can take a measured amount by mouth. At Cannibisters in Sea Point we carry our own house range: full-spectrum THC tinctures, THC distillate drops, solventless rosin drops, the stronger Near Death Drops and Death Drops, and slow-release rosin capsules in 10mg, 20mg and 30mg. Oils are the easiest cannabis format to dose precisely, because you change the amount one drop at a time. Members who want a personal starting point can book a consultation with Dr Andre Sorger at the Club.
What Is Cannabis Oil?
"Cannabis oil" covers a few different things, and the label matters. Here is how the formats in our cabinet differ:
- Tincture oil: a full-spectrum cannabis extract blended into a carrier oil. Full-spectrum means the extract keeps more of the plant's natural profile rather than isolating a single compound. Our tinctures are 50/50 hybrids.
- THC distillate: a highly refined, concentrated extract. It is potent and clean-tasting, and a small amount goes a long way.
- Rosin drops: made from rosin, which is pressed from the plant with heat and pressure and no chemical solvents. Our Rainbow Rosin Drops are full-spectrum and made from organic cannabis.
- Rosin capsules: a fixed dose of rosin in a capsule, with nothing to measure. Swallowed capsules release slowly, so the effect builds gradually and lasts.
All of these are taken by mouth: under the tongue, swallowed, or added to food. None of them involves smoke.
The Cannibisters Oil Collection, Explained
The range runs from gentle to very strong. The total THC in each bottle is the quickest way to compare them:
| Oil | Strength | Bottle | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC Tincture Oil (half strength) | 650mg THC | 10ml | New to oils, or building a daily routine slowly |
| Full Spectrum Tincture Oil (full strength) | 1200mg THC | 10ml | Members who know their dose and want a full-spectrum oil |
| Distillate Drops | 1200mg THC | 5ml | A concentrated, clean-tasting distillate |
| Rainbow Rosin Drops | 1200mg THC | 5ml | Experienced members, and cooking |
| Near Death Drops | 2400mg THC | 5ml or 10ml | Experienced members only, a very strong distillate |
| Death Drops | 4800mg THC | 5ml | Our strongest oil, for members with a high, settled tolerance |
| One Hit Wonder Rosin Capsules | 10mg, 20mg or 30mg | Per capsule | A fixed, slow-release dose with nothing to count |
Two bottles with the same total THC can feel very different drop for drop, because the bottle size changes the concentration. Every bottle states its strength per drop on the label. Read it before your first dose, and if you are unsure, ask at the counter. The full range is on the oils menu.
How Do You Dose Cannabis Oil?
The rule is the same one we give for edibles: start low, go slow, and give it time. Oils make that easy, because the smallest step is a single drop.
- Start at the gentle end. If you are new to oils, begin with the half-strength tincture and one drop. For most people new to THC, a first dose of around 2.5mg or less is plenty. Check the per-drop figure on your bottle.
- Hold it under your tongue. Place the drop under your tongue and hold it for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing. Some of it absorbs there, which usually means a quicker, more predictable onset.
- Wait two hours before you decide. Held under the tongue, oil usually takes 15 to 45 minutes to arrive. Swallowed, or taken with food, it can take 45 minutes to two hours. Most uncomfortable experiences come from taking a second dose too soon.
- Change one drop at a time. If the effect was too gentle, add one drop next time. If it was too much, drop back one. Keep the same time of day while you find your level.
- Write it down. A simple note of date, drops, time and how it felt turns guesswork into a routine you can repeat.
Rosin capsules skip the counting. Each capsule is a fixed dose, so the 10mg capsule is a sensible start for members who already know how an edible sits with them. The 30mg capsule is designed for a long, slow release.
| How you take it | Typical onset | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oil under the tongue | 15–45 minutes | 4–6 hours |
| Oil swallowed or in food | 45–120 minutes | 4–8 hours |
| Rosin capsule | 45–120 minutes | 6 hours or more |
Everyone's body is different, so take these as a guide rather than a promise.
Why Oils Suit a Guided, Measured Routine
If you use cannabis as part of a daily wellness routine, precision matters more than variety. Oils are the format that allows it:
- Repeatable. One drop from the same bottle is the same amount every time. A joint or a vape never is.
- Adjustable. You can move up or down by a single drop, rather than guessing at a fraction of a gummy.
- Discreet. No smoke, no smell, and a bottle that fits in a pocket.
- Consistent through the day. A capsule in the morning and a measured drop in the evening can form a routine you can actually keep.
That precision is why a conversation with a practitioner is worth having before you settle on a routine.
Book a Dosing Consultation With Dr Sorger
Dr Andre Sorger (B.Com, OMD) consults at the Club. He is an acupuncturist, a Chinese medicine practitioner, and a medicinal cannabis practitioner of 24 years.
A Medicinal Cannabis Consultation is a sit-down conversation about your history, what you are hoping cannabis will do for you, and how it fits alongside the rest of your life. You leave with a recommendation for the type of product, the amount and how often to take it. Oils are often where that conversation lands, because the dose can be set precisely and adjusted as you go.
Sessions run 30 to 90 minutes and there is nothing to bring. Consultations are booked online through your member account. See how consultations work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a THC tincture and THC distillate?
A tincture is a full-spectrum extract blended into a carrier oil, so it keeps more of the plant's natural profile. Distillate is refined further into a concentrated, clean-tasting extract. Drop for drop, distillate is usually stronger.
How many drops of cannabis oil should I take?
Start with one drop of the gentlest bottle you have and wait two hours. Every bottle states its strength per drop on the label, so you can work out the dose in mg. Add a single drop next time only if you need to.
How long does cannabis oil take to work?
Held under the tongue, usually 15 to 45 minutes. Swallowed or taken with food, 45 minutes to two hours. Wait the full two hours before taking more.
Can I cook with cannabis oil?
Yes. Rainbow Rosin Drops are designed for cooking and oral use. Stir them into a finished dish rather than cooking them at high heat, and remember that edible onset is slower.
What are rosin capsules?
Cannibisters One Hit Wonder capsules contain a fixed dose of rosin (10mg, 20mg or 30mg) and release slowly after you swallow them. They suit members who want a consistent dose without counting drops.
Is CBD oil the same as THC oil?
No. CBD is non-intoxicating, while THC produces the classic cannabis effect. Our house oils are THC oils. We also stock a full-spectrum CBD tincture for members who want a CBD option.
Are Near Death Drops and Death Drops suitable for beginners?
No. Both are very strong distillates made for members with an established tolerance. If you are new to oils, start with the half-strength tincture.
Do I need to be a member to buy cannabis oil at Cannibisters?
Yes. Cannibisters is a private members' club, and every order is placed by a signed-in member. Membership starts with a R20 one-day pass. Read more about buying cannabis legally in South Africa.
Can I drive after taking cannabis oil?
No. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal in South Africa, and oils can stay active for several hours. Plan your day around your dose.
Find Your Oil at 65 Regent Road
The oil range sits behind the counter at 65 Regent Road, Sea Point, open daily from 9am to midnight. Come in and ask, or browse the oils menu online. If you prefer other formats, our guides to edibles and vapes cover the rest of the cabinet.
Members only. 18+. Please consume responsibly.
— The Cannibisters Team
