What Are Cannabis Leaves Used For?

What Are Cannabis Leaves Used For?

Written by Joshua Sosin

The buds often overshadow cannabis leaves, but they have their own unique benefits and uses. Whether from a fresh harvest or dried leftovers from trimming, cannabis leaves can be repurposed in many creative ways.

From making teas and edibles to crafting topicals and compost, let’s explore the many ways cannabis leaves can be used.

Table of Contents

  • Types of Cannabis Leaves

  • Can You Smoke Cannabis Leaves?

  • Cannabis Leaves in Edibles and Teas

  • Using Cannabis Leaves for Juicing

  • Topical and Skincare Applications

  • Making Cannabis Tinctures and Extracts

  • Composting and Gardening Benefits

  • Final Thoughts

Types of Cannabis Leaves

Before looking into their uses, it's helpful to distinguish between the different types of cannabis leaves:

  • Fan Leaves: These are large, iconic leaves with little to no cannabinoid content but rich in nutrients and fiber. If you've seen the classic marijuana leaves motif, you were looking at a depiction of a fan leaf.

  • Sugar Leaves: Small leaves coated in trichomes that surround the buds, containing THC and CBD, along with some other cannabinoids in small amounts.

  • Trim Leaves: Leftover parts from pruning, which may include both fan and sugar leaves.

Can You Smoke Cannabis Leaves?

Technically, yes — but it’s not always the best cannabis use experience.

While sugar leaves contain some cannabinoids, fan leaves have very little THC and tend to produce a harsher smoke. If you choose to smoke them, it's best to mix sugar leaves with high-quality cannabis flower for a smoother experience.

Cannabis Leaves in Edibles and Teas

Believe it or not, cannabis leaves, especially sugar leaves, are great for making edibles. Since THC is fat-soluble, they work well in butter or oil infusions.

  • Cannabis Butter (CannaButter): Infusing butter with sugar leaves creates a mild but effective base for baked goods and savory dishes.

  • Cannabis Oil: Great for cooking or adding to coffee, salad dressings, or pasta sauces.

  • Cannabis Tea: Steeping leaves with a fat source (milk or coconut oil) allows for better absorption of cannabinoids and can have potential health benefits.

Using Cannabis Leaves for Juicing

Fresh cannabis leaves can be juiced for a refreshing, nutrient-rich drink. Unlike heated preparations, juicing doesn’t activate THC, so you won't get high.

  • How to Juice Cannabis Leaves: Blend fresh Cannabis Sativa leaves with fruits or vegetables for added flavor and nutrients.

  • Why Juice Cannabis Leaves? They contain fiber, essential minerals, and beneficial plant compounds without the intoxicating effects.

Making Cannabis Tinctures and Extracts

Cannabis leaves, especially sugar leaves, can be used to make tinctures and alcohol-based extracts.

  • Green Dragon Tincture: Steep cannabis leaves in high-proof alcohol for several weeks to create a potent extract.

  • Glycerin-Based Tinctures: A non-alcoholic alternative that can be added to beverages or taken sublingually as a fun form of cannabis use.

  • Extracting Cannabinoids for DIY Products: Leaves can be used in ethanol or oil extractions to create mild concentrates.

Composting and Gardening Benefits

Even if you don’t use cannabis leaves for consumption, they still have value in your garden.

  • Composting: Cannabis leaves are rich in nitrogen and break down into nutrient-rich compost for plant health.

  • Mulching: Dried cannabis leaves can be used as mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

  • Worm Bins: They make a great addition to vermicomposting, feeding worms to create nutrient-dense soil amendments.

Enjoying the Best of the Cannabis Plant With Mood

Cannabis leaves offer a wide range of uses, from culinary creations to skincare and sustainable gardening. Whether you’re making tea, juicing, crafting topicals, or composting, these often-overlooked parts of the plant have plenty of value. Still, though, we prefer high-quality bud over leaves any day.

No leaves, just premium flower. Use the code "FIRST20" to get 20% off your first order from the Mood Shop.

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