Tinctures are usually taken by putting a few drops under your tongue (sublingually). When taken this way, the arterial blood supply under your tongue rapidly absorbs the THC. That being said, you can always swallow the tincture in a drink or food, but it will be absorbed more slowly by your liver.
Expect to be high longer that when you smoke or vaporize, but shorter then when you eat a butter or oil based edible.