We always hear this question: “can cannabis leaves get a person certainly high?” It has been asked for many years, and non-technical people have different answers. But truth be told, cannabis leaves can and cannot get you high. Is that confusing? Let’s check that out.
Can leaves get you high? Yes. But What type of leaf are we talking about?
Can leaves get you high? Yes, theoretically, it can. But in practice, it gets more complicated. The entire marijuana plant, besides the insides its stems as well as its roots, contains a certain amount of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids come from resin glands, and these glands cover the whole plant almost entirely. Some parts, though, contain and produce only trace quantities of the chemical compounds that we are looking for, such as THC and CDB. Those parts include the fan leaves.
Not all weed leaves are made the same. There are various types. If you take a closer examination at a bud should’ve seen already that it contains leaves that are covered with sparkling trichomes. But those leaves are called sugar leaves and should not be confused with fan leaves that usually act as the symbol of marijuana. They have vastly different amounts of CBD also THC.
Nevertheless, all kinds of leaves are important for the growth of any cannabis plant. It absorbs the majority of the light that falls into a cannabis plant. But sugar leaves are the best choice if you are looking for leaves that can get you high.
The Number of Leaves Needed to Experience High
Cannabis leaves do contain some cannabinoids, but the question is whether it contains or produces enough amount to get a person high. Generally, cannabis leaves consist of roughly 0 to 4% levels of both CBD as well as THC, so just picking up some clean left-over leaves would not satisfy users. But once you trim your crop plus set some of the leaves aside that stood out from its buds, and you will be able to notice that there are visible THC trichomes on the leaves and the stems.
So, in summary: we have a vast spectrum of leaf types. Leaves are most probably different in every plant, in each part of cannabis; its leaves are cultivated on, and in every strain. To make things a little bit complicated, not all leaves contain the same cannabinoid-profiles and amount. And we are not yet addressing the factor that not everyone has the same level of tolerance with cannabis.
So the answer remains: leaves can get you high theoretically. But in practice, numerous factors are needed to be considered.
Decarboxylation: Getting the Best Out of the Leaves
To get the best out of cannabis leaves, you have to activate the most potent cannabinoid when it comes to psychoactive effects: THC. Raw cannabis product, both the bud and the leaves, don’t contain the compound THC so it cannot get you high. What they have instead is acid in THCA from cannabinoid that can be transformed to THC through a certain heat level. The scientific community calls it a decarboxylation process because it is the exclusion of a group of carboxyl and releases carbon dioxide.
When lighting a weed cigarette or using weed vape, the heat generated through the flame of the cigarette or the vape’s coil is sufficient to accomplish decarboxylation. Vaping, however, is highly efficient in administering THC into your system since the heat can easily be controlled and achieved. That means it is easier for the resin to enter decarboxylation. On the other hand, when making extracts and edibles, the leaves must first undergo decarboxylation before it becomes effective.
Decarboxylation may be performed at your home easily using a baking oven or microwave oven. Whatever device you are using, the step is identical. The leaves are necessarily be heated in high temperatures, roughly 105–116°C, to be decarboxylated. Much larger and important molecules are starting to reduce; any lower also THCA that has lower levels are transformed into THC. It will aid in separating your dry leaves into reduced parts before decarboxylating your plant material. Use clippers to cut the leaves roughly and maximize surface area.
Furthermore, if you want to decarboxylate your cannabis’ leaves inside the oven, start by preheating them to about 110°C. Place handled leaves using a baking paper sheet on a baking attempt, and “bake” those cannabis leaves for at least 45 minutes. Scatter the dried leaves using a plate and blow them up for not less than 2–3 minutes if you want to use a microwave. Stop the cycle halfway and stir them and ensure all leaves were visible to heat equally.
A method called ‘sous vide’ was more of exotic means to decarboxylate your supply of leaves. If it occurs to possess a kit that is around you, then go forward to vacuum-seal the leaves through heat-resistant carrier flexible bags and store it to your cooker designed to perform ‘sous-vide’ method. Set the cooker to at least 95°C and boil for not more than 1 hour. Using the sous vide approach is a more advanced way to decarboxylate your stash of leaves. If you have a kit around, go ahead and vacuum-seal the leaves in heat-resistant plastic bags and place them in your sous vide cooker. Set the appliance at 95°C, and cook for 1 hour. Can leaves get you high? Yes, if they are decarboxylated.
When in a Cannabis’ Life Cycle should I Smoke
THC is processed at various times during the life cycle of the factory. When the leaf is dried and cured, the plant goes through more changes. Many people believe that after it is healed the perfect time to smoke a marijuana leaf is.
Smoke cannabis leaves after they’re cured can give you the most THC content while maintaining a smoke that’s simple and mellow.
Before the Flowering Stage
Smoking a leaf from a cannabis plant still in the vegetative state would certainly not produce any results. Most THC-containing trichomes grow during the flowering period.
When Curing is Successful
It is ready to be harvested after a plant has achieved its maximum ripeness. The plant is cut down at this point and allowed to dry out. When cannabis is dry, it is typically placed in an airtight jar for sitting and cure. It mellows the flavors, making them less rough on your throat.
Upon Harvest Period
Unless you don’t wait until the leaves are healed, you’ll be in for a pretty tough smoke. With that said, if you smoke enough sugar leaves, it will still get you high, but you still won’t enjoy it.
Conclusion
One last word: no one should not smoke kinds of leaves. One good example is the largest ones. It would be best if you will be cautious about smoking them. Use them with care, as they may contain large amounts of harmful chemicals if the plant has been treated with unknown fertilizers. On the other side, those tiny and gooey leaves that are nearest to the bud are incredibly useful, perfect for acquiring high-quality extracts. Can leaves get you high? Yes, as long as you do the right process and choose the right leaves.
