Marijuana stems often get a bad rap as just leftovers, something to toss out after you’re done with the good stuff. But what if we told you those stems actually have a lot more to offer than you think? Instead of throwing them away, there are plenty of ways to give them a second life, turning them into something useful, creative, or even enjoyable.
Let’s take a closer look at how you can make the most of these often overlooked parts of the cannabis plant.
1. Decarboxylation: Unleashing THC
Overview: Decarboxylation activates THC, transforming your cannabis stems into something far more potent and usable.
Method: Spread your stems on a baking sheet and bake at 110°C for 60 minutes. This process converts THCA into THC, making them ideal for consumption.
Purpose: Once decarbed, the stems become active, and you can incorporate them into edibles, topicals, or concentrates to enjoy their full effects.
More about decarboxylation in our article: What is weed decarboxylation?
2. Crafting Cannabutter and Edibles
Idea: Make your cannabis stems into delicious, infused butter or oils that can be used in a variety of recipes.
Steps: After decarboxylating the stems, simmer them in butter or oil on low heat for a couple of hours. Strain out the solids, and you’ll have infused butter or oil ready for cooking or baking.
Purpose: This method extracts THC and incorporates it into a versatile cooking ingredient that can be used in anything from brownies to savory dishes.
3. Alcohol Infusion for Potent Potables
Concept: Cannabis stems can be used to create potent, THC-infused alcohol for mixing into drinks.
Procedure: Place decarbed stems in a mason jar and cover with high-proof alcohol like Everclear. Let the mixture sit for at least a week, shaking occasionally to ensure thorough infusion.
Purpose: This extracts the THC into the alcohol, creating a strong infusion perfect for cannabis cocktails or sipping straight.
4. Brewing Cannabis Beverages: Tea and Coffee
Idea: Create a calming cannabis-infused beverage with tea or coffee made from your stems.
Steps: Boil decarbed stems in water with a bit of milk (to help bind the THC), then strain. Use the infused liquid to brew tea or coffee, adding your favorite flavors.
Purpose: The infusion makes for a relaxing drink that offers the effects of cannabis along with the comforting warmth of a hot beverage.
5. Nutritional Smoothies and Juicing
Concept: While cannabis stems won’t get you high, they can add nutritional benefits to your smoothies and juices.
Method: Blend the stems with fruits, vegetables, or other healthful ingredients. You won’t get a psychoactive effect, but they’ll bring extra antioxidants and nutrients.
Purpose: This method makes it easy to incorporate cannabis stems into your diet for their health benefits without any THC effects.
6. Producing Bubble Hash
Explanation: You can turn your stems into a potent extract like bubble hash.
Methodology: Freeze your stems, then blend them with ice and water. Strain through a filter bag, freeze the liquid and grind the residue into a fine powder.
Purpose: This process collects the trichomes from the stems, producing a potent, concentrated form of cannabis known as bubble hash.
7. Eco-Friendly Composting with Cannabis Stems
Idea: Composting is an eco-friendly way to recycle your cannabis stems and help your garden grow.
Steps: Simply add your stems to your compost pile or bin, and they’ll naturally break down along with other organic material.
Purpose: The decomposed stems enrich the soil, improving garden health while reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
8. Creative Arts and Crafts with Stems
Concept: Get creative by using cannabis stems in your artistic projects.
Procedure: Use the stems for sculpting, painting, or crafting nature-inspired artwork. You can also incorporate them into mixed media or dioramas for unique, cannabis-themed pieces.
Purpose: These stems can add a distinctive touch to your arts and crafts, giving them a cool, natural vibe that’s all about creativity.
9. Traditional Charas Creation
Explanation: Charas is a traditional way of collecting resin from cannabis stems, particularly popular in India.
Method: Rub the stems between your hands, collecting the resin as you go. The more you rub, the more resin you gather.
Purpose: This traditional method produces a potent hash that’s great for smoking or adding to other cannabis products.
10. Collecting Kief from Stems
Concept: You can collect kief from cannabis stems, which is a potent and versatile cannabis product.
Steps: Break down your stems, freeze them, and then shake them in a mesh bag. The frozen resin crystals detach and accumulate as kief.
Purpose: Kief is a concentrated form of cannabis that can be smoked or used to make concentrates, providing a strong, pure effect.
11. Crafting Cannabis Topicals
Idea: Turn your stems into a soothing topical for skin care or pain relief.
Steps: Decarboxylate the stems, then infuse them into oil or lotion at low heat. Once the infusion is ready, strain the solids and store the infused oil for topical use.
Purpose: Cannabis-infused topicals offer therapeutic benefits like pain relief and skin care without the psychoactive effects of smoking or eating cannabis.
12. Homemade Paper from Cannabis Stems
Explanation: Weed stems can be used to make eco-friendly, handmade paper.
Methodology: Blend the stems with regular paper and water to form a pulp. Spread the mixture on a screen, let it dry, and you’ll have unique cannabis paper ready for arts or crafts.
Purpose: This method allows you to recycle stems into something functional, creating a sustainable, cannabis-themed paper product.
13. Smoking Stems: A Cautionary Note
Idea: Smoking cannabis stems isn’t ideal, but some people do it.
Should You Smoke Weed Stems? 😑🚫
While you technically can smoke them, it’s not recommended. Cannabis stems contain minimal THC and produce harsh, unpleasant smoke that can irritate your throat and lungs. If you’re looking to catch a buzz, stick to flower or use the stems for extractions instead.
Some low-quality Reggie weed comes packed with stems ground into the mix, either by accident or to bulk up the weight. This not only lowers the potency but also makes for a harsher smoke with a woody taste. Stems contain minimal THC, so smoking them won’t get you higher but just more irritated 😡
So don’t let your cannabis stems go to waste; get creative and make the most of every part of your stash! 🌿✨
FAQs
Can I use cannabis stems for making CBD products?
Yes, while cannabis stems have less CBD than flowers, they can still be used in CBD oils or extracts, especially if you are using hemp stems.
How long do cannabis-infused oils or butter last?
Typically, cannabis-infused oils or kinds of butter last up to 2-3 weeks if stored in a cool, dark place. Always check for signs of spoilage.
Can I use cannabis stems for making my own cannabis cigarettes?
While you technically can, cannabis stems often have a harsh, unpleasant smoke and a low THC content, so it’s not recommended.
How much THC is typically in cannabis stems?
Cannabis stems have very little THC compared to the flowers. However, after decarboxylation, you can still extract some usable THC for edibles or topicals.
Can I make cannabis-infused alcohol with stems that aren’t decarbed?
It’s not recommended. Decarboxylation activates the THC, so using stems without this process will result in a much weaker infusion.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions related to health or cannabis use. Use cannabis products responsibly and in compliance with local laws and regulations.
