Why You Should Never Throw Away Those Weed Stems

Don´t discard your Weed Stems

What Can You do with Your Cannabis Stems? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

How often does it happen that after harvesting you end up with a heap of weed stems that most likely end up in the trashcan? Sometimes in desperation, you might even consider smoking it. That would not be a wise decision though. On the other hand, weed stems can be used in other ways. In the growth cycle, the stems and roots have a constant fluctuation of nutrients passing through them. So, rather than throwing it out with the trash, use it as medicine.

The most sought-after part of the cannabis plant is definitely the flowering part. This is where the potency of the plant lies. The separation of bud and stem is a normal action to prepare some weed for smoking a joint. What no one knows, is that the stems have a lot of nutrients locked up in them. It makes sense then to harvest them to put it to good use.

This does not mean that it is good for smoking. The stems have practically no THC in them. To get the benefit of any THC left in there, it needs to be decarboxylated. The idea is to extract any cannabinoids and to convert THCA to THC. The properties are found in the same crystals you would find in the flowers and bud. One way to decarboxylate the stems is to bake it for an hour in 100-110 degrees Celsius. Remember to spread it out on a baking sheet. Be careful not to let it burn.

What is Weed Stems Good For?

Weed Stem Tea- A great way to use weed stems, it to make a cannabis-infused tea. It is an alternative way of smoking or vaping and still brings relaxation. To get the best result, remember to decarboxylate it first. It could also be grounded as you would before you roll a joint. Best is not to overdo it as it would leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Use a pot to simmer the weed stems and water for 15 minutes. Butter or coconut oil also have to be added to activate THC. Something like ginger could also be added to better the taste. Use a cheesecloth to strain the tea after you have brewed the tea.
Tinctures – Another popular way to use weed stems, is to make tinctures of it. One specific tincture is called the Green Dragon. Green Dragon is made of alcohol-infused weed stems. The stems have to be decarboxylated first. They are then covered with consumable alcohol in a mason jar. Good quality alcohol with a high alcohol content renders the best result. Keep the mason jar in a dark cupboard and shake it once per day. After a week, strain the alcohol through something like a cheesecloth. It could be used as a mix into a cocktail, or even straight up. Keep in mind that the effect is different than regular alcohol. Do not overdo it.
Topical creams – Topical creams work wonders on the skin and muscles. As the skin has its own cannabinoid system, the cannabinoids in the cream pass through. The cannabinoid context is not as high as found in the flower or bud parts, but it still has a soothing effect.
Cannabutter – weed stems are great to use in Cannabutter. It would not be as potent as when other parts of the plant are used, but with a good amount, it could be close. If you are into Cannabis Edibles weed stems could be used for Cannabutter. Best is to grind the stems in a food processor. Use a saucepan, add some butter or coconut oil with the stems. Let it simmer for 45 minutes over low heat. Be careful not to let it burn. Stir it constantly. When it is done, strain the butter to remove all plant matter. Keep it in the fridge in a jar.

Stem Hash- For stem hash, the weed stems have to be ground very fine. Choose a mason jar and put the hash stems in it. Cover it with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Cover the mason jar and shake it vigorously for at least a minute or two. Use a cheesecloth to strain all plant material out. Use a wide bottom glass to transfer the liquid to. Keep it in a well-ventilated area until the alcohol evaporates. A sticky substance should be left on the bottom. Scrape it off as best you can and form it into a little ball. It is ready to be used.

After Thought

A word of caution. Do not be tempted to smoke the weed stems. It consists mostly of plant matter and the THC content is low. Smoking weed stems will give you a big headache. Other than that, instead of throwing your weed stems out, use it in any of the ways explained above.