Cannabis flower usually gets all of the glory, but stems are something almost every consumer must deal with. Imagine that you just finished breaking apart your buds and now you have a little pile of stems on the table.
Before you throw them away, you may start to wonder if you can smoke them or use them in some other way.
One of the common questions people ask is, “Can you smoke weed stems?“ because cannabis stems are often misunderstood. They’re from the same plant as the buds, but that doesn’t mean they’ll offer the same experience.
Here are factors to consider before deciding what to do with leftover stems, from their low cannabinoid content to their harsh smoke and woody taste.
Can You Smoke Cannabis Stems?
If you have ever asked, can you smoke stems, the short answer is yes, you physically can. But that doesn’t mean that smoking them is necessarily a good or fun idea.
Cannabis stems may contain trace levels of cannabinoids and other plant compounds, but typically at much lower levels than the flower. The majority of the THC and other desirable compounds are concentrated in the trichome-rich buds. Stems can contain trace amounts, particularly if there is still some resin or small pieces of flower attached, but smoking a pile of clean stems won’t likely give you the same effects as smoking cannabis flower.
Smoking experience can be unpleasant as well. The stems are woody, fibrous and hardy. They burn with a harsh smoke that can irritate the throat and lungs. The taste can also be bitter and considerably less pleasant than properly cured cannabis buds.
So you can smoke stems, but the vast majority of cannabis consumers do not think it’s an effective way to smoke cannabis.
Why Do Some People Smoke Weed Stems?
The number one reason is people don’t want anything to go to waste.
Cannabis can be costly, and some users may stare at their remaining stems and think, “Is there still anything useful in there?” This is especially true if someone has run out of flower but still has a collection of stems from previous purchases.
Another reason is curiosity. Stems come from a cannabis plant, and some people think that they must have the same psychoactive properties as buds. But the amount of cannabinoids in stems is often much lower, so the experience might not be what you had in mind.
Some people may smoke stems with visible trichomes or sticky resin. These stems may have slightly more active compounds than clean, dry stems. Even then, the smoke is typically harsher than you would get from cannabis flower.
Smoking stems is less a matter of preference for most people and more a means to use whatever cannabis material they have available.
Will Smoking Stems Get You High?
Smoking cannabis stems usually doesn’t give much, if any, noticeable high, as they usually have way fewer cannabinoids than the flower. However, effects may differ depending on the strain, the section of the stem, and whether any trichomes or flower material remain. A stem with sticky resin may have more cannabinoids than a dry, clean stem.
But consumers shouldn’t expect the same potency they’d get from properly cured cannabis buds. Cannabis flower is cherished for its high concentrations of resin glands called trichomes. These tiny structures contain many of the cannabinoids and terpenes that give the plant its effects and aroma.
Stems are mostly structural parts of the plant. Typically, they’re there to hold up the leaves and flowers, so they aren’t high in the compounds most consumers are interested in.
Smokers may even smoke more stems to make up for their lower potency, but this only means inhaling more smoke and burned plant material and having an even worse experience.
What Do Weed Stems Taste Like When Smoked?
Taste is one of the biggest complaints about smoking.
The flavors of cannabis flower can be complex, from citrus and fruit to pine, earth, spice and sweetness. These flavors mostly come from aromatic compounds called terpenes. Stems tend to have less of these compounds, so they don’t deliver the same flavorful experience.
As mentioned earlier, smoking the stems will often give a woody, bitter or burned taste. The smoke can be harsh on the throat, especially when the stems are quite dry.
You’re probably safe leaving some stem in your joint or bowl by accident without ruining the whole experience. But too much stem can destroy the flavor and make the smoke noticeably harsher.
This is one reason many consumers remove the larger stems before grinding their cannabis.
Are Cannabis Stems Bad for Your Grinder?
Some grinders may have trouble with big or thick stems.
A cannabis grinder is mainly used to break up flower. Small, thin pieces of stem might slip through without much trouble, but thicker stems can be tough on the grinder teeth. They can get caught in the parts or make it hard to grind smoothly and evenly.
Grinding stems can also add fibrous bits to your cannabis. These pieces can affect the overall smoking experience and may not burn as evenly as ground flower.
It’s generally a good idea to remove bigger stems before putting cannabis in a grinder. This helps the grinder work more smoothly and gives you a more consistent end product.
Can You Use Cannabis Stems in Other Ways?
You may not want to smoke cannabis stems, but you don’t have to throw them away. Some consumers save stems with visible resin or trichomes and collect them for later use. Others may compost clean plant material, if applicable.
The usefulness of leftover stems mostly depends on quality and whether they still have noticeable resin.
Things to Consider Before Smoking Stems
Before smoking stems, remember that more plant material does not equal a better experience. The stems are stringy and can produce especially acrid smoke.
Also, avoid stems that look moldy, mildewed or contaminated. Keep your expectations in check; stems aren’t going to have the same amount of cannabinoids as flower.
Final Thoughts
So, can you smoke weed stems? Yes, but most consumers won’t find it enjoyable or effective. Stems usually have fewer cannabinoids and can create a harsh, woody-tasting smoke.
If you decide to save them, think about their quality and condition. If not, it is usually best to remove the stems and concentrate on the flower.
