Sleepy-Time Cannabis Tea

Mountain Mary’s Before Bed Tea-Time

I hate waste.

When I see a grower toss a pile of stems into the compost without a second thought, it feels a bit detrimental to the hard work put into the season.

A lady I know from up in the Simcoe Mountains, “Mountain Mary,” sent this sleepy-time cannabis tea recipe.

She’s a frugal veteran of the 70s grow scene ( actually older then me!), and she’s mastered the art of how to make cannabis tea with stems. It’s her way of getting a solid night’s sleep without wasting anything!

Mary says the secret is the fat that is mixed in. Cannabinoids aren’t water-soluble; they’re little things that need a “carrier” to work. If you just boil stems in water, you’re making flavored sticks. You need to add a bit of butter or whole milk to the pot to ‘catch’ the Cannabinoids. It’s imperative to simmer, not boil—too much heat will ruin the flavor and the effect.

The Ghost approved of this brew because it’s the ultimate “low-profile” medicine. It looks like tea, smells like herb, and works like a charm for those nights when the mind won’t stop racing. If you’ve been trimming out a harvest of, you’ve got plenty of what you need for this recipe sitting right on your tray.

The Recipe (As submitted by Mountain Mary):
Prep: Take about a 1/2 cup of stems. Break them into small pieces (don’t grind them into dust, or it’ll be gritty).
Simmer: Place the stems in a pot with 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil.
Time: Keep it on a low simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Flavor: Add a bag of your favorite herbal tea (Mary likes chamomile) and some honey in the last 2 minutes.
Strain: Pour through a fine mesh strainer into your favorite mug.

The Ghost Tip: Don’t expect a “face-melting” high from stem tea. It’s a subtle, relaxing body-glow. For sleep it works best with an Indica. It’s the perfect medicine for the end of a long day.

Hey growers! What do you do with your leftover stems? Compost ’em or cook ’em? Let’s hear your best “no-waste” tips at the JCS Growers Community forum.