Most people just focus on the flower when they have premium weed. But we’re here to tell you—don’t overlook those stems. While they might seem like leftovers at first, they’re actually loaded with compounds you can add to a variety of concoctions. And as a bonus, repurposing your stems helps cut down on waste. So, what can you do with weed stems? It turns out, quite a bit.
If you’re new to using stems in your cannabis experience, we’ll walk you through it. As you’ll see, with some guidance and a little prep, your stems will transform from scraps to one of your favorite parts of the plant. In this blog, we’ll teach you how to turn your stems into a variety of usable goodies, from flavorful edibles to functional gardening supplies.
What Are Weed Stems?
Weed stems are the thick, fibrous parts of the plant that hold the buds. They’re what you have left once you’ve trimmed your plant and ground up your flower. Since they have negligible levels of THC, you can’t really smoke the stems. But, thanks to their trace amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes (especially on resin-coated pieces), stems have plenty of other uses and benefits.
With the right techniques, you can extract the active compounds and put your stems to good use. Just keep in mind that cannabinoid content varies by strain and plant, so potency is never an exact science.
Why Save Weed Stems?
Whether you’re into sustainability, DIY projects, or just getting the most out of your stash, saving stems can be surprisingly rewarding. With a bit of creativity, you can:
- Use the stems in baking ingredients like butter or oil
- Infuse stems in beverages
- Make topicals, tinctures, or hash
- Turn stems into compost or mulch
- Add stems to your art projects
Suffice it to say, stems aren’t just leftover plant material. They’re actually a valuable resource hiding in plain sight.
How Do I Prepare My Weed Stems?
Properly prepping your stems boosts their potency and makes them easier to handle. Below, we’ll cover proper prep technique for common stem usage.
How to Decarb Weed Stems for Edibles and Infusions
You’ll want to decarb stems if you plan on using them for anything edible, like butter or tea. Decarboxylation simply means heating your stems to activate their cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Vaping or smoking naturally does this, but since you won’t be putting your stems in pipes or bongs, you’ll need another way to decarb them.
Luckily, you just have to put your stems in the oven for thirty to 45 minutes at approximately 220°F (104°C) to bring out their psychoactive effects. Just be sure to open some windows and run some fans—decarbing produces a strong smell that can hang around.
Also, remember to fully remove your flower before decarbing your stems. The heat from your pipes and other pieces will handle the decarb process for your bud, so you don’t want to accidentally double-decarb them. To that point, if you need help prepping your bud, check out our blog on how to grind weed without a grinder.
How to Prep Weed Stems for Non-Edible Uses
If you don’t plan on consuming your stems, there’s no need to decarb them. But, you will need to do some other prep, and it varies per use:
- Topicals: gently clean your stems and let them fully dry before infusing them in oil
- Compost: break your stems into smaller pieces to help them decompose faster
- Crafts: adding stems to your art? Just make sure to dry them thoroughly first
If you’re not ready to use your stems right away, store them in a cool, dark place. Customers often ask us, ”Does weed go bad?“ but forget that stems can spoil too. Without proper storage, your stems can dry out, lose potency, or even develop mold.
What Are the Best Weed Stem Uses?
There are so many ways to use your stems, from adding them to tasty treats to incorporating them in your hobbies. So, since you’re wondering what can you do with weed stems, we’re covering eight of our favorite ways to use this small but versatile part of the plant.
1. Brewing Weed Stem Tea
Looking to elevate your wind-down routine? Infuse your tea with weed stems. It’s one of the easiest ways to use these green scraps. You can place your stems in an infuser and add them to a mug of hot water.
Or, you can steep the stems directly in your water and let them simmer for 15 to 30 minutes before straining the liquid. Add a little milk or honey to mellow out the flavor. If you’re just looking to relax, decarbing stems isn’t necessary. But if you’re hoping to feel psychoactive effects, it is.
2. Making Cannabutter & Edibles
Take your baked creations to the next level with weed stems. You can use this plant material to make cannabutter and edibles, just like you would with the flower. Just combine your decarbed stems along with butter or oil in a saucepan. Then, heat the mixture on a low simmer for two to three hours.
From there, strain your solids out through a cheesecloth, and you’re ready to add some cannabis fun to a variety of recipes. Cannabutter made from stems won’t be as potent as the stuff made from flower, so use more if you’re hoping for a high.
3. Infusing Alcohol or Creating Extracts
Happy hour is even happier when you infuse alcohol with weed stems. Mixologists are learning how to use weed stems in their spirits, and you can, too. Here are the steps:
- Get a glass jar and an 80+ proof alcohol of your choosing
- Put your decarbed stems in the jar, and fill it with your alcohol
- Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dark place for one to three weeks
- Shake the jar once per day
- Strain your infused alcohol through a cheesecloth and into a dark glass bottle
- Store in a cool, dark place again, and use in cocktails
4. Making a Weed Stem Tincture
Tinctures are a discreet, versatile way to use your cannabis stems, ideal for sublingual dosing, infusing into liquids, or blending with topicals like lotions and oils. The process is very similar to infusing alcohol, but there’s one key difference: tinctures usually use an even higher-proof alcohol (like 190-proof Everclear) to extract more cannabinoids and extend shelf life.
Unlike infused spirits meant for cocktails, you don’t sip on tinctures. They’re stored in small dropper bottles and dosed in milliliters or drops, not ounces. If you’ve already made a stem-based infusion using high-proof alcohol, you’re just a quick strain and bottle away from a usable tincture.
5. Making Hash from Weed Stems (Bubble Hash or Charas Style)
Not sure what to do with weed stems with some leftover resin or sugar leaves? Turn them into hash. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ice water (the colder, the better)
- A large bowl
- Fine mesh screens or bubble bags
- A stirring spoon
Once you have your materials, follow these steps:
- Add your stems to the cold water
- Gently stir the mixture for 15 to 30 minutes
- The cold, combined with the movement, should separate the resin from the stems
- Pour your mixture through your mesh screens or bubble bags
- Scrape your collected resin off your screen or bubble bag
- Add your resin to parchment paper and let it dry
Now you’re ready to use your hash however you want. You can make concentrates, mix them with flower in a pipe, or use them in edibles and tinctures.
Here’s a pro tip: when cleaning your pipe or bong, some consumers start by soaking stems in isopropyl alcohol. They then use the stems to scrape resin from glass pieces. The abrasive texture of the stem, combined with the properties of the alcohol, acts as an effective cleaning agent.
6. Crafting Topicals with Weed Stems
Whether for relaxation or basic skincare, cannabinoids make excellent additions to moisturizers. To make a topical, you’ll first need a stem-infused oil. You can make this by combining ground-up, decarbed stems with oil (coconut oil is best). Then, let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for several weeks.
If you want the infusion to take place faster, you can add your mixture to a slow cooker for four to six hours on low (between 180 and 200°F). Stir it every 30 to 60 minutes. Once it’s ready, you can add your oil to your favorite salves, lotions, and balms. Topicals won’t provide any psychoactive effects, but can offer localized relief.
7. Composting and Gardening with Leftover Leaves and Stems
There’s nothing more sustainable than returning your stems to the soil. Stems are carbon-rich and make excellent brown matter for compost, helping provide structure and airflow. Mix them with green materials like fruit scraps or grass clippings to create a well-balanced, nutrient-rich pile. Just be sure to check for mold or pests before tossing them in.
8. DIY Crafts and Household Uses
When the muse strikes, you can integrate your weed stems into your craft projects. Their sturdy, woody consistency makes them perfect additions to a variety of creations. Here are just a few ideas:
- Add stems to wreaths or decorative bundles
- Braid or weave stems into a rope
- Boil them down and pulp them into homemade paper
- Whittle them into jewelry or buttons
Just make sure your stems are fully dry before using them in your creative projects. Any remaining moisture can lead to mold or splintering.
Reuse Smarter, Roll Better with Sky’s The Limit DC
While cannabis stems aren’t as potent as flowers, they still hold plenty of potential. As we’ve discussed, these thick, fibrous leftovers have a surprising range of uses, from edibles and infused drinks to tinctures, topicals, and even hash. However you like to enjoy your weed, there’s a good chance your stems can play a part.
At Sky’s The Limit, we’re here to help you get more out of your cannabis experience. From high-quality glass pieces and popular vape brands to top-shelf CBD and beyond, our team can help you find the right gear for your routine. So, whether you’re wondering, “Can you buy weed in DC?” or asking, “What can you do with weed stems?”—we’ve got answers. Contact us today and talk to one of our cannabis experts about our inventory.
FAQs: What to Do with Leftover Leaves and Stems
Looking for more information on using weed stems? We’ve answered some of the most common questions about this underrated part of the plant below.
Why do people keep weed stems?
People keep weed stems to add to edibles, infuse them in alcohol, and use them in household products like decorative items and compost.
Is it worth saving weed stems?
Yes, it is worth saving weed stems. While they don’t have the same potency as flower, weed stems still have plenty of uses, from DIY infusions to composting. Plus, reusing them is a lot more sustainable than tossing them out.
Is it healthy to eat weed stems?
Eating weed stems is not considered healthy. They’re tough, fibrous consistency can irritate your stomach, and they don’t contain much nutritional value.
Can I make edibles from stems?
You can make a variety of edibles from weed stems. Just infuse them to make cannabutter, which you can then add to baked goods. You can also create a stem-based tincture and mix it into smoothies, soups, or salad dressings.
