Stop Throwing Away Your Cannabis Stems! Here’s How to Reuse Them

Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Can You Get High from Cannabis Stems?
- 3. Best Ways to Reuse Cannabis Stems
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- Make Cannabis Stem Tea
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- Infuse Alcohol for a Cannabis Liquor
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- Create a DIY Cannabis Tincture
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- Brew Cannabis Stem Butter or Oil
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- Make a Soothing Cannabis Topical
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- Turn Stems into DIY Hemp Wick
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- Craft Stoner-Friendly Arts & Crafts
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- 4. How to Properly Prepare Your Stems
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions
- 6. Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Cannabis stems contain small amounts of cannabinoids and can be reused instead of thrown away.
- You can make tea, tinctures, infused alcohol, and even topicals using stems.
- Decarboxylating your stems before use will improve potency.
- Stems are NOT ideal for smoking—they produce harsh smoke and little effect.
1. Introduction
🚨 STOP tossing out your weed stems!
Most people think cannabis stems are useless, but they actually contain trace amounts of THC and CBD, making them perfect for infusions, extracts, and creative DIY projects.
From tea and tinctures to homemade hemp wick, there are plenty of easy ways to reuse cannabis stems instead of wasting them.
Let’s break down how to get the most out of your weed stems and turn trash into treasure!
2. Can You Get High from Cannabis Stems?
🔥 Short Answer: Not really—at least, not the way you’d expect.
✔ Cannabis stems contain small amounts of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.), but nowhere near as much as buds.
✔ Smoking stems is NOT recommended—it tastes bad and has little effect.
✔ Best use? Infusions! Turning stems into tea, tinctures, or infused alcohol helps extract every last bit of cannabinoids.
💡 Key Tip: If you want maximum potency, decarb your stems first (more on that below!).
3. Best Ways to Reuse Cannabis Stems
1. Make Cannabis Stem Tea 🍵
Best for: A mild, relaxing cannabis drink.
✔ Simple & effective way to use stems.
✔ Great for sleep, relaxation, and pain relief.
✔ Works best when combined with milk, butter, or coconut oil (THC needs fat to bind to).
How to Make Cannabis Stem Tea:
1️⃣ Grind stems into small pieces.
2️⃣ Boil water, then add a teaspoon of butter or coconut oil (helps extract cannabinoids).
3️⃣ Simmer stems for 10–15 minutes.
4️⃣ Strain & enjoy!
💡 Pro Tip: Add honey, mint, or chai spices for extra flavor.
2. Infuse Alcohol for a Cannabis Liquor 🍾
Best for: A boozy cannabis kick with no smoking required.
✔ Works with vodka, whiskey, rum, or tequila.
✔ Slow infusion releases cannabinoids over time.
How to Make Cannabis Stem Liquor:
1️⃣ Break up stems and place them in a glass jar.
2️⃣ Pour alcohol over them until fully submerged.
3️⃣ Let sit in a dark place for 1-2 weeks, shaking daily.
4️⃣ Strain out stems and enjoy your cannabis-infused drink!
💡 Pro Tip: Try using flavored liquors (vanilla rum, cinnamon whiskey) for a tastier infusion.
3. Create a DIY Cannabis Tincture 🌿
Best for: Fast-acting, smokeless THC effects.
✔ Can be taken under the tongue or added to food & drinks.
✔ Alcohol-based tinctures extract every bit of THC from stems.
How to Make a Cannabis Stem Tincture:
1️⃣ Decarb stems in an oven (see prep section below).
2️⃣ Place in a jar with high-proof alcohol (Everclear works best).
3️⃣ Let sit for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally.
4️⃣ Strain & store in a dropper bottle.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with a few drops—tinctures are stronger than edibles!
4. Brew Cannabis Stem Butter or Oil 🧈
Best for: Cooking edibles with leftover stems.
✔ Works for brownies, cookies, pasta, and more.
✔ THC binds to fats, making butter or oil the perfect base.
How to Make Cannabis Stem Butter/Oil:
1️⃣ Grind stems into small pieces.
2️⃣ Simmer with butter or oil on low heat for 2–3 hours.
3️⃣ Strain out stems and use the infused fat in your recipes!
💡 Pro Tip: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for weeks of use.
5. Make a Soothing Cannabis Topical 🧴
Best for: Pain relief and skin care.
✔ Great for joint pain, muscle soreness, and inflammation.
✔ Does NOT get you high—works like CBD cream.
How to Make a Cannabis Stem Topical:
1️⃣ Infuse coconut oil with stems (same process as butter/oil).
2️⃣ Mix with beeswax & essential oils for a homemade balm.
3️⃣ Apply directly to sore areas for relief.
💡 Pro Tip: Add lavender or eucalyptus oil for extra relaxation.
6. Turn Stems into DIY Hemp Wick 🕯️
Best for: Lighting bowls & joints without butane taste.
✔ Healthier alternative to lighters (no gas fumes!).
✔ 100% natural and easy to make.
How to Make Hemp Wick from Stems:
1️⃣ Soak stems in beeswax until fully coated.
2️⃣ Let dry & store in a roll.
3️⃣ Use to light joints or bowls for a cleaner hit!
💡 Pro Tip: Make a long wick roll and store in a glass jar for later use.
7. Craft Stoner-Friendly Arts & Crafts 🎨
✔ Use stems for DIY jewelry, decor, or smoking accessories.
✔ Create woven hemp bracelets, coasters, or even mini pipes.
💡 Pro Tip: Soak stems in water overnight to make them easier to bend and shape.
4. How to Properly Prepare Your Stems
Before using stems in tea, tinctures, or edibles, you must decarb them:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 220°F (105°C).
2️⃣ Break stems into small pieces.
3️⃣ Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
4️⃣ Bake for 30-40 minutes (activates THC).
5️⃣ Now they’re ready to use!
5. FAQ
Q: Can I smoke cannabis stems?
A: Technically, yes, but it’s harsh, gross, and has little THC. Better to infuse or extract.
Q: How much THC is in stems?
A: Very little—usually less than 1% THC.
Q: Do stems make tea psychoactive?
A: Only if you add fat (milk, butter, or coconut oil) for THC absorption.
6. Conclusion
Next time you think about throwing out your cannabis stems, remember—they can be reused in so many ways!
✔ Make tea, tinctures, or infused liquor.
✔ Turn them into cannabis butter or oil for edibles.
✔ Create homemade topicals, hemp wick, or even stoner crafts.
💬 Which method will you try first? Drop a comment below! 🚀🔥