What to Do With Weed Stems: Comprehensive Guide

It’s common to wonder what to do with weed stems, and you will hear weed growers associate them with low-quality buds. However, the stems contain small quantities of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making them worthwhile. So, the possibilities are endless if you save them, whether you want some THC-kissed tea, hash, cannabutter, or even some yarn.

This guide mainly focuses on what to do with leftover cannabis stems so you can make the very most of your stash.

What Are Weed Stems?

Like so many plants, cannabis consists of different parts. However, only female marijuana plants produce the THC-rich buds and flowers that most cannabis users find beneficial. Other parts of the weed plant include trichomes, hair-like appendages containing aromatic terpenes, seeds, and the fibrous stems that support the plant.

Weed stems are small, stick-like pieces that support the leaves and flowers. The stem branches off the plant’s main stalk and are the foundation for bud development. Most of the time, weed users throw away the stem since it is one of the parts that does not create good medical benefits compared to others. However, they contain a little cannabinoid content, which is why it is always worth hanging onto.

What to Do With Weed Stems?

You can start by recycling the weed stems if you want to obtain the most out of your cannabis plant. The good thing is that your collection has many ways to be creative.

For best results, when you are de-stemming your weed plant, stash all your stems in a separate container until you have enough to work with. Then you can use them to make some of the following recipes, formulas, or crafts.

1. Brew Some Weed Stem Tea or Coffee

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Cannabis-infused tea or coffee is one of the quickest and easiest ways to reuse your cannabis stems. To begin, you will need to decarboxylate your weed stems. To effectively do this, you will evenly spread them on an oven tray and place them in the oven at 110°C for around 60 minutes. Once done, your stems are ready to go!

Next, you will take your decarbed stems and put them in a tea bag or coffee filter. Bring water to boil and seep your stem for five to eight minutes. Then serve. To maximize your cannabinoid intake, add a high-fat liquid such as coconut oil.

The advantage of infusing weed stems is that you can also add 3 teaspoons of your favorite alcohol.

2. Make Cannabis-Infused Butter or Cooking Oil

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You can equally use leftover stems to make cannabis butter. If you have extra stems, toss them in with your cannabis flower when making cannabutter or cooking oil that you can use to make edibles.

First, you must bring a little water to simmer gently. Then put a heatproof bowl in the water, add the butter, ghee, or oil together with your decarboxylated cannabis, and stir for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Then let the oil infuse for up to 2 hours and remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool, and pour the butter or oil through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag into a jar. Once you have strained it, you can now use your infused butter to make your favorite edibles.

3. Make a Hemp Wick

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If you are conscious of the negative health effects of using butane fumes, hemp wick is the perfect alternative, and you can effortlessly create your own using cannabis stems. To do this, you need to strip the stems using a shape blade or scissors until you get long stringy fibers.

Afterward, you will twist them tightly around each other to form a rope. Once you have twisted until it can’t twist anymore, dip your formed rope into some beeswax. Then you can allow it to dry.

4. Cannabis Stem Paper

Cannabis stems can as well be used to make hemp paper. This way, you can make your holiday cards using weed. To do this, you must soak ground stems and paper scraps in water for a night.

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After that, add the soaked paper scraps and stem to a blender and blend thoroughly until the fibers begin to separate. Next, pour the pulp or mixture onto a screen or deckle and spread it evenly. You should allow the combination to sit for about 24 hours before you can use the paper.

5. Make Bubble Hash

You can also use marijuana stems to make bubble hash. Even though you will not make the most potent bubble hash, the stem does a really decent job. You only need a spoon, paddle, or any other mixing utensil. Then dip the stems and trim them in ice, then shake them.

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The other method would be to fill a large bucket with ice and water. Place your cannabis stems in the bucket and stir in cycles for up to 15 minutes. Ideally, you should mix, not crush, the ice. You can now strain the solution through a filter bag when you are done.

If your final product contains a lot of liquid, you can freeze it for a few hours, grind it into a fine powder and leave it to dry. The process may take a week, but it is worth it.

6. Use in Smoothies or Juicing

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Cannabis stems can be used for making a smoothie. The good thing about making smoothies is that you can add anything you wish to attain your desired outcome. This means there is no specific recipe for juicing cannabis stems.

So you can definitely add the decarbed stems to your favorite smoothies. However, it’s recommended that you opt for sweet support ingredients such as fruits, ginger, carrot, and cinnamon.

While taking cannabis-infused smoothies may not have a psychoactive effect, the stems are rich in antioxidants and trace elements of different cannabinoids that boast their own health benefits.

7. Cannabis Topical

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If you are not an edible marijuana lover, you can use weed stems to make infused oils which you will then use to make topicals. Cannabis-infused balms, salves, and lotions are perfect for dealing with inflammation, bruising, and mild aches or pains. The good thing is that there are different topical recipes you can use to meet your needs. Remember, you can also add a few drops of essential oils and vitamins of your choice.

8. Feed Your Garden

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Conclusively, you can also use cannabis stems as mulch for your garden. If you happen to know how to grow marijuana at home, mulching your growing plant with the stems will help regulate soil temperature, increase water retention and prevent weeds from taking root. This means you are guaranteed increased yields.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cannabis Stems

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1. Can You Smoke Weed Stems?

Yes, you can smoke weed stems. Some weed consumers grind up the stem and smoke them. However, smoking weed stems won’t deliver the results you expect, and it does not offer the smooth or comfortable experience most cannabis flower lovers enjoy.

Smoking stems can lead to sore throat or damage to soft lung tissues because the stems contain a small amount of weed resin. The overall result of smoking stems is a nasty taste and an uncomfortable experience.

Furthermore, smoking cannabis stems may not give you the oft sought-after high. Stems and stalks contain very few cannabis compounds compared to weed leaves and flowers. Therefore, it is better to save stems and use them differently.

2. Is there THC in stems?

Yes, cannabis stems contain traces of THC. However, decarboxylation or decarbing of the weed stem can potentially enhance the potency of the stems, allowing you to enjoy the psychoactive effect of THC.

That said, it is fundamental to note that the cannabis stems contain very little THC content compared to the other weed parts. Therefore, most cannabis users prefer to use the stems for when they need a mild high.

3. How to ground weed stems?

Grinding the marijuana stems requires you to follow the same process as that of grinding any other part of the weed plant. First, you must ensure that you have completely dried the stems before you begin. Then, put your stems into your grinder and pulverize until you achieve your desired consistency.

4. How are cannabis stems used commercially?

The increase in weed legalization worldwide has allowed us to look beyond smoking weed and using it for medical purposes only. So, beyond trying to decarboxylate your weed stems, the fibrous plant material in marijuana can be used to make hemp rope, hemp paper, and plant-based concrete.

Over the years, in the textile industry, weed stems have been used as substitutes for cotton. This has led to increased inquisitiveness toward hemp-based textiles due to their sustainability.

That said, instead of smoking stems, you can make cannabis fiber goods, like rope, paper, and fabric. This way, you will support sustainable agriculture and heighten the beneficial qualities of the cannabis stems.

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