Like many consumers today, you may be enjoying the benefits of cannabis. No matter which cannabis product you purchase, you want to get the most out of it. After all, you don’t throw away a shampoo bottle until you’ve used every last drop. Do you?
The same practice should apply to marijuana as it can be a bit of an investment. To make the most of your cannabis, make sure you are using all parts of the flower. But what can you really do with those little sticks, or stems, that are left over after you’ve used your bud?
Because they contain low levels of THC, it is not recommended that you smoke marijuana stems. Doing so can make you cough and may even burn your throat, all without giving you the high THC has to offer. Simply put, smoking cannabis stems is just not worth the headache you’ll likely have afterward.
But you may feel weird about throwing your stems away, too.
Consider this solution for using up your marijuana flower stems: making cannabis stem tea.
What Is Cannabis Stem Tea?
Cannabis stem tea is just what its name implies. It is a tea that has stems infused in it to create a popular and soothing beverage.
Why Make Cannabis Stem Tea?
Besides ensuring that you get the most out of your purchase of marijuana flowers, stem tea offers these and other benefits.
First, tea is a drink that can help soothe anxiety and melt away stress. That is why many people enjoy a cup of tea to wind down after a long day. When you add in cannabis stem leaves, you can enhance the tea’s relaxing effects, setting the stage for an evening that is more enjoyable than most.
If you would like to try cannabis tea but don’t like the taste of full buds infused in teas, cannabis stem tea may be a better option for you. Cannabis stems yield a milder effect and taste than full buds, which means they do not impact the original flavor of the tea as much.
Finally, some people aren’t fans of smoking or may have lung issues that prevent them from being able to smoke. These scenarios can leave people searching for other ways to get the benefits cannabis has to offer. Drinking tea is a great alternative.
Will Cannabis Stem Tea Get Me High?
Kind of. Cannabis stems have low concentrations of THC, especially compared to cannabis buds. But that’s not to say they don’t have any THC at all. It just means that tea made with cannabis stems will be less potent than tea made with buds.
For many people, the fact that cannabis stem tea is less potent is ideal. First-timers or those who are a little scared of getting too high may find stem tea an excellent place to start.
How to Make Cannabis Stem Tea
Making cannabis stem tea is simple and straightforward. First, you’ll need some equipment and ingredients. Here’s a list of what to get:
- Weed stems (at least ¼ cup, but you can include more if desired)
- 2 cups of water per serving (4 cups if you are making tea for two people, etc.)
- Flavorings, such as another type of tea you enjoy
- A coffee filter
- A binding agent, such as whole-fat milk, creamer, or a ½ tablespoon of butter
- A pot
Let’s explore what makes some of these ingredients important.
Unfortunately, weed stems steeped in water on their own are generally not very tasty. Adding tea into the beverage simply makes it more appealing to drink.
You will not be able to brew cannabis stems without an ingredient to bind the cannabinoids (THC) to the water. THC is not water-soluble and therefore cannot be absorbed by water. To remedy this, you’ll need whole milk, cream, or another source of fat.
Once you have all your ingredients and equipment gathered, it’s time to brew your cannabis stem tea. Follow these steps:
- Place your water, flavored tea bags, and binding agent into a pot.
- Bring it to a boil.
- Once your tea is at a boil, add in your cannabis stems.
- Continue to boil your mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring it frequently.
- Then remove your pot from the heat.
- To strain the tea, pour it through your coffee filter into a separate pot or bowl.
Note: Use caution when doing this step as you can easily burn yourself.
- Add in other ingredients to enhance the flavor, like honey or cinnamon. (This step is optional.)
- Sit back, relax, and enjoy your tea.
Other Ways to Use up Your Cannabis Stems
If stem tea isn’t your cup of tea (get it?), there are other things you can do to ensure your cannabis stems don’t go to waste.
Some people will use their stems to make cannabutter, which is butter infused with cannabis. Others may use their stems to create topicals such as lotions or even lip balm.
You can also ask your online marijuana dispensary for ideas on how to put your cannabis stems to use so they don’t go to waste. Dispensaries are good sources of information, and yours may have some suggestions to try.
In Summary
Cannabis stem tea is simply tea that has been infused with the stems of marijuana plants. After drinking stem tea, you will not feel as high as when smoking a joint because cannabis stems contain smaller amounts of THC than the cannabis flowers that are smoked. Even so, drinking cannabis stem tea can help provide users with some of the effects marijuana has to offer and can create a truly relaxing experience as a result.
Making your own cannabis stem tea is easy, and you can tailor the tea to meet your personal tastes by adding in your choice of flavorings. Then, about 30 minutes after ingesting your stem tea, you can expect to feel all the effects this unique beverage has to offer.
