Written by Brandon Topp

When your cannabis jar is looking sparse, and all that’s left are a few stems, you might wonder: can you smoke weed stems?

It’s a common question for budget-conscious smokers or those who don’t want to waste any part of their stash.

But just because something burns doesn’t mean it should be inhaled. In this guide, we’ll break down what stems are, why people consider smoking them, and what actually happens if you do.

Looking for something stronger than stems? Try Mood THCa flower delivered with rich, full buds and top-tier potency.

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Table of Contents

• What Are Weed Stems?

• Can You Smoke Weed Stems?

• Why People Try Smoking Stems

• What Happens If You Do?

• Better Uses for Stems

• Are Stems Psychoactive?

• Is It Safe to Smoke Stems?

• Final Thoughts: Should You Bother?

• FAQ

• Try Mood for Better Buds

• Marijuana vs Hemp: What's the Difference?

Marijuana vs Hemp: What's the Difference?

Let’s clear up a common point of confusion about cannabis use. The marijuana plant and the hemp plant are both forms of cannabis, but they differ in their Delta-0THC levels.

Marijuana refers to cannabis varieties that contain more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight and is federally restricted. Hemp, on the other hand, contains less than 0.3% THC and is federally legal under the Farm Bill.

Mood’s products are made from hemp, meaning they’re legal and accessible across the U.S., but still deliver potent results—especially when rich in THCa, which becomes more potent when heated.

So, while you may see “marijuana stems” or “marijuana plant” mentioned in conversation, what Mood offers is high-quality hemp cannabis flower that’s perfectly fine to smoke, grind, vape, or infuse.

What Are Weed Stems?

Weed stems are the small, woody pieces of the cannabis plant that support buds. While they’re a part of every flower harvest, they’re not something anyone really seeks out.

Stems are low in resin and cannabinoids, meaning they have low cannabinoid content and don’t contain much THCa, CBD, or other beneficial compounds.

They’re also fibrous and rough, more like twigs than smokable flower. That’s because their main job is structural—not psychoactive.

Upgrade from leftover weed stems with Dante’s Inferno for fiery flavor and full-body bliss.

Can You Smoke Weed Stems?

Technically, yes—you can smoke weed stems. They’re plant material, they’ll burn, and they’ll produce smoke. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Smoking cannabis stems won’t get you high, tastes harsh, and could irritate your lungs.

Plus, the smoke contains more plant waxes and chlorophyll than cannabinoid-rich cannabis buds, making the experience less enjoyable and potentially more harmful.

Learn more about what happens when weed goes bad—leftover weed stems won’t help your stash.

Skip the disappointment. Pack your bowl with Jealousy instead—high potency and smooth flavor.

Why People Try Smoking Stems

Most people consider smoking cannabis stems out of desperation. Maybe you’re dry, waiting on a restock, or just hate wasting anything. If you’ve got nothing but a big stem or two left, you might think it’s better than nothing.

Others might be curious—assuming that because stems come from the same plant, they should still have the same effects.

But here’s the short answer: they don’t. Most of the THCa and other valuable cannabinoids live in the trichomes of the cannabis buds, not in the stems.

So, even if you smoke a pile of stems, the effects are going to be mild at best and unpleasant at worst.

Instead of scraping your leftover weed for more stems, pick up Pink Lemonade—bright, citrusy, and ready to elevate.

What Happens If You Do?

Smoking cannabis stems generally leads to:

• A harsh smoke with unpleasant flavor

• A sore throat or irritated lungs

• Little to no high

• Possible headaches or nausea

It’s not unlike burning dry leaves or twigs. There’s less oil and more cellulose, which makes for a rough, underwhelming session.

Want to know how to keep your weed fresh so you never end up trying to smoke tobacco-dry stems again?

For a smoother hit, grind up Counting Sheep, which is ideal for winding down.

Better Uses for Stems

If you’ve got a pile of stems, don’t toss them—but don’t smoke them either. Here are a few alternative uses:

• Make cannabis tea: Simmer stems in hot water with a fat source (like milk or coconut oil) to draw out what little cannabinoid content they have.

• DIY cannabis topicals: Infuse stems into oil and use them for making lip balms, salves, or lotions.

• Tinctures: Steep stems in high-proof alcohol to create a mild cannabis extract.

• Crafts: Use stems in natural art, incense, or even as skewers.

These methods avoid combustion and make better use of leftover weed. If you're making cannabis edibles, don’t forget to cook for stronger effects.

While stems have much fewer cannabinoids than flower, they can still serve a purpose in making cannabutter or hash.

Better than tea time: light up Super Goof for giggles and good vibes.

Are Stems Psychoactive?

No, not really. While stems may contain trace amounts of THCa or other cannabinoids, the concentrations are extremely low.

You’d need a large amount to feel any noticeable psychoactive effects—and even then, it’s unlikely to be enjoyable.

The real cannabinoids live in trichome-coated cannabis buds. That’s what you should be saving, smoking, and savoring.

For more on how THCa works in cannabis, check out our full breakdown.

Get the real deal with Dante’s Inferno—potent, flavorful, and ready to spark discovery.

Is It Safe to Smoke Stems?

There’s limited research on the specific health effects of smoking stems. But generally speaking:

• Stems contain more fibrous plant matter and much fewer cannabinoids

• The smoke is thicker, harsher, and may carry more toxins

• Smoking stems could irritate your lungs or throat more than cannabis flower

Inhaling burnt stems offers none of the benefits and all the harshness. And if you’re combining stems with tobacco, you’re doubling down on the lung burn.

Looking for smoother options? Learn how live rosin vs. resin compare if you're considering concentrates instead of flower.

Want a safer, smoother session? Reach for Dante’s Inferno instead.

Final Thoughts: Should You Bother?

If you’re wondering whether smoking cannabis stems is worth it, here’s the short answer: no.

The payoff is minimal, and the experience is rough.

Whether you’re chasing a buzz or trying to stretch your stash, there are better ways to use leftover weed—or better yet, avoid scraping for stems by keeping high-quality bud on hand.

Stay stocked with top-shelf THCa flower from Mood.

FAQ

Do weed stems get you high?

No, stems have low cannabinoid content and aren’t likely to produce any noticeable high.

Is it dangerous to smoke weed stems?

It’s not deadly, but smoking stems can irritate your throat and lungs and doesn’t offer any benefits.

Can you make edibles with stems?

Yes, but you’ll need a lot of them. Stems can be used in making cannabutter, tea, or tinctures, but they’re much less potent than cannabis flower.

Why do weed stems taste so bad?

Stems contain more plant fiber and chlorophyll, leading to a harsher, woodier taste when burned.

Should I throw away weed stems?

Not necessarily. You can repurpose them into cannabis tea, topicals, butter infusions, or tinctures.

Try Mood for Better Buds

Don’t settle for smoking stems when you could be savoring premium, high-potency THCa flower.

Mood offers legal hemp-derived cannabis products that deliver on flavor, strength, and smoothness—without the harsh side effects of burnt stems, including THC gummies.

Whether you're chasing creative energy or couchlock calm, there's a Mood strain for you.

Explore our top-shelf selection of THCa flower.