5 Amazing Uses for Cannabis Stems

Let's take a look at 5 uses for cannabis stems. Did you know that you might be throwing away perfectly good weed stems without even realizing their potential? Many experienced cannabis consumers keep a mason jar full of marijuana stems and/or trim leftover from packing a bowl or baking with raw material.

This seemingly useless roughage has a usable amount of trichomes that contain the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compound. Make the most out of your flower buds with these top uses for cannabis stems.

Benefits of Using Cannabis Stems

Saving and re-using stems can seem like time-consuming and confusing work, especially for new users, but there are many benefits to hoarding every part of your buds from the stems to the already vaped weed.

Stems (and leaves) have some leftover therapeutic cannabinoids, albeit, considerably less than flower buds. While they can be harsh to smoke, cannabis stems can be used in a myriad of effective and fun ways.

Many states have purchasing and possession limits, which dictate how much marijuana a medical or recreational consumer can buy in a certain period of time.

By saving their stems, consumers can get the most out of their medicine saving some money and providing them with an extra perk such as a cannabis tea or a tasty edible. Here are 5 Uses for Cannabis Stems.

THC Content

Stems vary in color from bright green to deep violet. They also grow minuscule trichome glands, but there hasn’t been extensive testing to show how much THC exists on stems and leaves.

MCR Labs is an ISO-accredited cannabis testing lab in Framingham, Massachusetts. They sampled different stems and “ran an analysis using HPLC-UV” used to separate and detect specific molecules.

MCR Labs’ first tested sample came from a personal stem jar full of stems from high-quality strains. The stems had previously been sifted over a screen to collect kief.

This first sample yielded a maximum amount of 1.2 percent THC and 0.1 percent CBN. The second stem sample came from pollinated flowers. The stems had a max THC amount of 1.1 percent. A third sample came from flower buds (18.3 percent THC). This third sample had a max 9.2 percent THC amount. Essentially, stems vary in THC levels.

So what’s the best way to use the THC bounty in your stems? We’ve come up with five uses that will help you get the most from your cannabis! And now, 5 Uses for Cannabis Stems.

5 Uses for Cannabis Stems

1. Cannabis Tea

Cannabis flower buds, concentrates, and edibles are major sellers at dispensaries, but marijuana-infused tea is also a traditional and effective way to consume cannabinoids and reap their numerous health benefits.

Cannabis tea been used by ancient cultures in China, Egypt, and India for medicinal and spiritual purposes. Cannabis tea avoids the problem of cannabis smoke or vapor, which can be harmful to people with respiratory conditions.

Since the acid forms of cannabinoids are soluble in water, you must NOT decarboxylate the stems you’re using for tea to activate the THCA compound into the psychotropic THC. THC is not soluble in water, so it won’t be infused into your tea.

Also, since cannabis stems have a smaller concentration of THC, common cannabis tea recipes will require a larger amount of starting material. Cannabis stems can be ground and wrapped in a coffee filter or loose tea leaf container. The filter or tea leaf container can then be simmered on low for five to seven minutes and then mixed with a tea of choice.

2. Cannabis Cocktails

Cannabis cocktails are a fun and new way to consume cannabinoids and alcohol as long as you consume responsibly. High-proof liquor such as Everclear or vodka is the best alcohol to use when infusing cannabis stems. Cannabis stems can be ground, decarboxylated, and added into a glass jar with enough alcohol to cover the stems.

You can keep the alcohol and stem mixture in a cool, dry, dark area for a few weeks, while occasionally shaking the jar. After a few weeks, you get a high-octane base for your cannabis cocktails.

Sure, you can buy a cannabis beer or wine from retailers, but making your own cannabis cocktail can be much more satisfying. Just remember, start with a low dose due to the intense flavor and effects that may ensue.

3. Rick Simpson Oil

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a type of marijuana concentrate made from the plant’s resin glands that contain cannabinoids. This concentrate can be eaten, dabbed, or used on the skin, depending on the user’s preference. Fortunately, you can make multiple dabs worth of RSO with leftover cannabis stems.

All you need to do is collect them, grind them in a blender, and mix them with Everclear. Shake the solution for 30 seconds to one minute. Afterward, strain the stems with a coffee strainer into a glass Pyrex dish or bowl. Let a fan blow over the mixture for anywhere from 3 to 24 hours. After the liquid has evaporated, scrape up the RSO and enjoy.

4. Cannabis Edibles

Marijuana edibles are a potent and long-lasting delivery method that can be made from the comfort of your home. Most cannabis edible recipes require ground flower buds, but you can also use cannabis stems.

You’ll need to increase the amount of cannabis stems you use, since they contain minimal THC levels. Furthermore, cannabis stems have a strong woody taste, so you’ll need to experiment with flavors to balance the overall taste.

5. Marijuana Topicals

Cannabis topicals can be made with your leftover marijuana stems and an oil base. Marijuana topicals can be applied to the skin and provide localized relief.

All you need is a coconut oil, olive oil, or beeswax base to start. You can also add vitamins and essential oils for aroma and therapeutic effects. Topicals can be made by slowly heating the base and stems over an extended period of time.

Those are 5 Uses for Cannabis Stems that you can do when you are left with stems and were going to discard of them.

Now you know what to do with cannabis stems. 

Cannabis stems have multiple creative uses. They can be used to make screens or filters at the bottom of a bowl piece. They can also be woven together to make baskets or sharpened to make skewers for a summer barbecue. No matter how you use cannabis stems, you may need to experiment to avoid the grassy taste, while reaping the most out of its cannabinoids.

Cannabis Training Certifications

Learn more about cannabis anatomy, growing, cooking, and extraction with CTU’s renowned marijuana certification program. Find out more about what to do with cannabis stems and all your cannabis cultivation needs at Cannabis Training University.