Already Vaped Weed: Learning Your AVBs

March 4, 2021 steven

Frugal cannabis smokers rejoice! There are ways to eke out more life from your already vaped bud (AVB). Before tossing out your toasted grounds, consider the numerous other products—including edibles and beverages—that you can make with those leftovers.

Of course, not all AVB can be reused. Cannabis consumed at temperatures over 375˚F will likely be too cooked to reuse. On a visual scale: if it’s black, toss it out and try again; if it is brown, there is still some THC and CBD that can be put to good use. So, stop throwing away that perfectly good post-vape bud and start storing it.

Make Edibles with AVB

While not likely to make its way into the pages of the next superstar chef’s bestselling cookbook, AVB may well become the most reached for ingredient in your pantry. Though not the most creative use for AVB, the simplest is just to directly eat it. This doesn’t, however, need to be a “hold your nose, swallow quickly, and wash it down with a glass of water” experience. Already vaped bud can be sprinkled onto your favorite desserts or incorporated into any number of other dishes. It can also be incorporated into baked goods.

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Another method of direct consumption is to pack your vaped cannabis into gel caps. Most pharmacies have both gel caps and capping accessories available. To use them effectively, the AVB should be ground super fine before being tamped into the gel caps.

Also, the darker the AVB, the more you can jam in there, since it likely has less THC than lighter-colored AVB. Gel caps are a discrete way to dose throughout the day. Also, to get a better effect from direct consumption, wash the caps down with milk or any other beverage containing fat.

Container of cannabis-infused butter or cannabutter. Cannabis-infused butter.

Speaking of fat, AVB can be used in the production of cannabutter, which in turn can be used in a wide range of recipes. In fact, it’s easier to use AVB as opposed to fresh cannabis in the production of cannabutter, since it does not need to be decarboxylated (this was already done when the bud was initially vaped).

To make cannabutter, melt one pound of butter in a saucepan, keeping the temperature at about 200˚F. Stir in about two grams of AVB and keep the mixture at about 200˚F for 15-20 minutes. Then, filter the mixture through cheesecloth or any other fine mesh material. The spent grounds can be thrown away and the cannabutter should be placed in the refrigerator to set. To reduce the intense aroma when making cannabutter, it is advisable to water cure your AVB first (see below).

Similarly, AVB can be used to make cannabis-infused oil, or cannaoil, which can then be used as cooking oil or in salad dressings. The procedure is very much the same as making cannabutter, but the ratios are different. To make a batch of cannaoil, you will need between one pint and one quart of the cooking oil of your choice, and at least 16 grams of AVB. You could use more AVB, but this would make the oil more potent.

Cup of coffee topped with ground cannabis. Researchers have found caffeine and cannabis appear to complement each other.

Infuse Beverages with AVB

There is no limit to the ways AVB can be incorporated into drinks as well. The toasted flower can be mixed in with coffee grounds for an early morning pick-me-up or mixed in with loose-leaf teas to unwind in the evening. It can also be incorporated directly into smoothies or any other beverage, especially those that will mask the strong taste of AVB.

Already vaped bud can also be made into tinctures, which can then be added to beverages or consumed as drops under the tongue.

To make a tincture, you will need alcohol. Most people use vodka or Everclear to avoid picking up any other flavors, but any alcohol can work as long as it’s at least 90 proof. Place the AVB directly into a sealed container with the alcohol to steep. Though it can be done in as little as two hours, most leave the mix to sit for a few days, giving it an occasional shake. The longer it sits, the more potent it becomes. When ready to use, give the tincture a final shake before straining out the spent AVB through cheesecloth or another fine-mesh filter. The tincture should then be stored in a dark or opaque bottle, preferably out of sunlight.

AVB can be re-smoked, but beware the terrible taste.

Other AVB Uses and Considerations

Already vaped bud can be rolled up or packed into a bowl and re-smoked, as there is still some THC and cannabidiol (CBD)
to be had. Be warned, however, this tastes terrible. Only the most desperate of consumers or those who are given to accepting dares generally resort to re-smoking AVB.

If you are unsure what to do with your AVB but know that you want to save it for some future use, you can water cure and store it.

Water curing already vaped bud doesn’t reduce the THC or CBD, but it will wash out some of the bad taste and smell to it if done correctly. You will need cheesecloth or another mesh-type material and distilled water (to reduce the risk of bacteria) as well as a large, open container.

First, wrap up some AVB in the cheesecloth so it can’t escape. Then, place the bundle in an open container and pour over it a volume of distilled water approximately four-times larger than the wrapped AVB. When the water becomes discolored, discard and replace it. Repeat this process for five to seven days, changing the water at least once daily (note the distilled water will need to be changed more frequently over the first 24 hours).

When complete, place the soaked AVB onto a baking sheet for drying. This can be done in an oven at about 200˚F, in front of a radiator, or even using a hair dryer. Whichever method is used, make sure that the cured AVB is completely dried before storing so that mold cannot develop. Finally, pack up the dry AVB and save for future use.

Using already vaped bud is a great way to get more life out of your cannabis. Just remember that any cannabis edible or beverage, even those made using AVB, can be more potent than expected and take longer to take effect. So, carve out a chunk of time and make sure you are not alone the first time that you try anything made with your AVB.

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