Save Money on Cannabis with Already Vaped Buds
There are several reasons why cannabis consumers should consider switching to a vaporizer. Not only is vaping healthier than smoking, it’s also cheaper, since it activates cannabis more efficiently. In fact, several studies have shown that consumers who vape absorb two to three times more cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, than smokers do when passing around a joint. But there is also another advantage to vaping that is not nearly as well known — you can reuse your already vaped bud.
What is already vaped bud?
Already vaped bud, or AVB, is exactly what its name suggests. This is the brown bud that is left over when you finish vaping. Even though AVB looks done, it still contains active cannabinoids that can be ingested in a variety of ways. Essentially, it is bud that has been decarboxylated, the first step in turning cannabis flower into edibles.
Ideally, your AVB is a light to toasty-brown colour. Black, crispy AVB is a sign that you’ve done all you can with your cannabis. Set your vape below 375˚F for an optimal vape experience, that will also leave your AVB in a good state for reuse. Best of all, your AVB will be more aromatic and smell less like burnt popcorn!
Get cooking
Since AVB has already been decarbed, you can infuse it into your favourite cannabis honey, butter, oil or milk recipe. Remember that since you’ve already consumed many of your bud’s active cannabinoids through vaping, it will not be as strong as cannabis that has been decarboxylated in an oven.
It’s impossible to know exactly how many active cannabinoids are in your AVB. Since you can’t know how strong it is, it’s best to start with a low dose, go slowly and record your findings. This will help you avoid a negative edibles experience.
Make a chill pill
You don’t need to be a pharmacist to make your own cannabis capsules. All you need is AVB and some empty capsules, which you can find online or in health food stores.
The process is simple: grind your AVB into a fine powder, pour the powder into a capsule and seal.
Write down how much AVB you put into each capsule, how many capsules you ingested and how potent the effects were. You can always increase the dose in your next batch, if you wish.
Just eat it
Eating plain, non-infused AVB might not be the most appetizing proposition, but it works in a pinch. You can make this option more palatable by mixing your AVB with peanut butter, Nutella or jam. Some people also like to make “firecrackers”, or s’mores sprinkled with AVB.
Give it some skin
Cannabis-infused topicals are increasingly popular because they offer anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits without the high. Unfortunately, these creams and ointments are not yet legal for purchase in Canada. But you can make your own topicals at home with your AVB. Any common pantry oil can be infused with AVB, but we prefer coconut oil because of its moisturizing, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Homemade creams are a great option for those who want to get secondary uses from their AVB, but are uncomfortable with ingesting an unknown quantity of THC.
Looking for more cannabis information, advice and money-saving tips? Book your free consultation with a medical cannabis prescriber, or call 1-888-671-8022 with questions.
