Awesome Uses for Weed Stems and Leaves

Did you know that you may be throwing away perfectly good weed stems and cannabis leaves without even realizing their potential?

While they can be harsh to smoke, cannabis stems can be used in a myriad of effective and fun ways.

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 weed stems and cannabis leaves.

THC Content in Weed Stems

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 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). The third sample had a max 9.2 percent THC amount. Essentially, stems vary in THC levels.

Uses for Weed Stems and Leaves

So what’s the best way to use the THC in your stems? We’ve come up with these uses that will help you get the most from your cannabis!

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 has been used by ancient cultures in China, Egypt, and India for medicinal and spiritual purposes.

Cannabis tea offers a smoke-free and vapor-free alternative, making it a safer option for individuals with respiratory conditions.

Since the acidic forms of cannabinoids are soluble in water, do not decarboxylate the stems used for tea to activate the THCA compound into psychoactive THC. THC is insoluble in water, so it will not infuse into your tea.

Also, since cannabis stems have a smaller concentration of THC, common cannabis tea recipes will require a larger amount of cannabis stems/leaves.

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.

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.

Fan leaves are not smoked because of their lower levels of THC content and fewer trichomes. However, you can use fan leaves to make your edibles such as cake or brownies. The cooking and baking process extracts most of the leave's potency.

If you make homemade pizza, you can use dried and ground cannabis leaves as a topping. This method also lets you incorporate it as an herbal ingredient, offering substantial nutritional value. You can also sprinkle it on salads or pasta.

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 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.

6. Smoking Weed Stems and Leaves

During the trimming phase, you will usually notice larger fan leaves. Sugar leaves are the smaller version, which will usually be covered with trichomes.

To avoid the loss of the high potency, some marijuana growers will generally let the sugar leaves stay on the buds. In doing so, however, when you smoke these leaves, they are harsher and noticeably more potent.

7. Juicing Your Cannabis Leaves

If your cannabis leaves are moist and you haven't trimmed them, then you can juice those cannabis leaves. If you were to consume the leaves while they are raw, they would be considered superfoods. You would be able to absorb the cannabinoids much easier when consumed in a raw state.

So avoid letting the leaves be dried out after trimming. Instead, put the leaves in a blender and blend with other ingredients to make a smoothie. You could add banana, strawberry and coconut milk to it.

8. Bubble Hash From Weed Stems And Leaves

If you have a large number of weed leaves and stems, you can perform a bubble hash extraction to produce some moderately potent and solvent-free concentrates. Bubble hash extraction uses ice, water, and agitation to remove the resin glands from cannabis matter.

First, the water and cannabis leaves and stems are placed in a bucket lined with filtration bags made of screens similar to ones used when producing dry sift kief. When agitated, the trichomes fall off and sink to the bottom, while the plant matter stays on the surface.

After the material has settled, the bags are separated and the trichomes are removed. The bubble wash is then dried and is ready to consume through smoking.

9. Using Marijuana Leaves And Stems For Arts & Crafts

If you don’t want to decarboxylate your weed stems and leaves for future consumption, you can always find other creative uses for your organic waste. For instance, a bunch of stems can work as a screen or filter for a bowl or bong piece when smoking.

The fibrous stems and stalks from cannabis can be worked into numerous functional and artistic objects including a DIY hemp wick. Simply strip long stems and stalks with a sharp blade to produce multiple strings of fiber.

Afterward, twist the fiber strands together in a rope-like fashion. Finally, dip your twisted fibers into beeswax to keep the wick together.

With extra-long stems and stalks, users can even make cannabis baskets by following a woven wicker basket tutorial.

Since cannabis stalks can run the risk of breaking, users should soak the stems and stalks overnight in water to make them more flexible.

10. Composting Cannabis Leaves

Master growers recommend composting cannabis scraps such as stems and leaves to produce an organic soil mixture.

Not only does saving your cannabis fan leaves provide nutrients to your plants through the soil, but it also reduces the amount of household waste produced.

Cannabis leaves can be shredded and mixed with other organic and inorganic compostable material to make a soil amendment. Leaves that are no longer marketable don’t have to end up in a landfill.

11. Cannabis Skin and Body Care

The leaves of the cannabis plant are full of antioxidants and other substances that may be good for the skin. Some people have experimented with making their own cannabis-infused creams, lotions, and balms for skincare.

It is asserted that these products may have advantages including reducing inflammation and hydrating the skin.

12. Hempcrete and Sustainable Cannabis Building

Industrial hemp, a form of cannabis, is recognized for its many applications, albeit not all cannabis plants may be used for it. Hempcrete, a sustainable building material, can be made by combining lime and the hurd, the inner core of hemp stems.

Hempcrete is a popular option for ecologically conscious builders since it has superior insulating qualities and is safe for the environment.

13. Cannabis Potpourri and Aromatherapy

Dried cannabis leaves can be used into home-made potpourri mixtures to give your living surroundings a distinctive scent.

They can be used directly or blended into carrier oils for diffusers and massages as part of aromatherapy procedures.

14. Natural Fertilizers and Cannabis Plant Boosters

You may make nutrient-rich teas from cannabis stems and leaves that serve as natural fertilizers for other plants in your garden. You can make a nutrient-rich solution that you can use to irrigate your plants by steeping the plant material in water.

This not only minimizes waste but also uses the cannabis plant's advantageous traits to promote the growth of other flora.

15. Extraction of Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Cannabis stems and leaves nevertheless contain useful substances like CBD and other cannabinoids, as well as aromatic terpenes, although having lower cannabinoid concentrations than the flowers do.

To make tinctures, oils, or concentrates, some people opt to extract these substances from the plant material. This may be a clever method to use every component of the plant and take use of any potential advantages.

16. Research and Cannabis Education

Cannabis stems and leaves can be useful teaching resources. They can be used to demonstrate the various plant components and support instructional programs about botany, plant biology, and the life cycle of cannabis.

These resources can be used by academic institutions and research centers to instruct the general public and students about the complexities of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis Training Certifications

The cannabis plant has a lot more to give than is initially apparent, challenging us to think creatively and make the most of its unique qualities as we continue to explore the possibilities.

As you can see there are many things to do with weed stems leaves that you may not normally have thought of.

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. 

Gavin Kushman

Gavin is a worldly adventurer and cannabis connoisseur, embarking on journeys that take him to the far corners of the globe to explore and document the varied effects, flavors, and histories of both renowned and lesser-known strains. From the misty high-altitude farms of the Hindu Kush highlands to the vibrant cannabis cafes of Amsterdam, Gavin's quest for knowledge spans continents. A recognized authority in the cannabis industry, he frequently lends his expertise to leading publications such as Cannabis Training University, where his captivating blog articles chronicle his unique experiences with different cannabis strains.