Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jun 2013
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2013 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes
Column: Ask a Stoner

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LEFTOVER STEMS?

Dear Stoner: I know smoking them is a headache waiting to happen, but 
what should I do with the crystal-covered stems left over from my 
buds? I hate the idea of throwing away good THC. Scrooge McDank

Dear Scrooge: Strangely, you're not alone in your miserly ways. Up 
until just a few years ago, a good friend always kept a jar with him 
specifically to save stems to later make hash with. It was a futile 
effort, and I still don't know why he did it. But there is something 
you can make to get the most out of what most stoners toss away: 
edible alcohol tincture.

The process is about as oldschool and simple as it gets, requiring a 
glass mason jar, bud (or stems, in your case) and a bottle of 
wickedstrong grain alcohol. The most popular option is everclear, 
which runs about 95 percent alcohol by volume.

Collect your stems in the jar. You'll know you've got enough when you 
can pack them down tightly and just barely get the lid on. Pour in 
alcohol up to the top, then let the mixture sit and soak for at least 
a week in a cool, dark place, shaking it once a day. Use a colander 
to strain the booze from the bud (or stems). The alcohol removes the 
cannabinoids left over on the stems, and after straining out the 
plant matter, you're left with infused alcohol tincture. Trust us: It 
makes a nasty shot or mixed drink, but a spoonful can really help 
take the edge off an afternoon.

Dear Readers: In last week's Ask a Stoner, we advocated for an end to 
the popular puff-puff-pass rule, and people were surprisingly 
supportive of our position. Take this missive from Westword blog 
commenter BackOffImStarving:

"Never, ever pass bud to someone you don't know! Don't share your bud 
with strangers, ever! Do you share sips of your $7.00 Coors Light 
with random passersby? Do you offer up bites of your hot dog or 
pretzel to anyone who might be in close proximity? NO! Aside from the 
obvious hygiene considerations of such practices, wouldn't it be 
unfortunate if some unwashed ganja parasite got in a fight, OD'd on 
some other substance, fell down, had a car wreck, etc., and was later 
somehow able to identify you as the person who supplied them with the toke(s)?

"Don't feed the wildlife. If they're too dumb, lazy, or cheap to take 
care of their own needs, then fuck 'em."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom