A Little Extra Something Something: Untrimmed Dry Leaf in PA MMJ
All of us have been affected by the COVID-19 restrictions in one way or another. For the cannabis industry, it has resulted in various obstacles with a higher demand and need for medicine. One Pennsylvania grower processor, Ilera Healthcare, is now offering untrimmed dry leaf at a discounted rate to reduce stress on dispensaries and patients as we face unprecedented challenges brought on by these sudden changes.
As patients ourselves, we know that we pay for trimmed flower so that we can get the best out of our medicine and the full weight. To calm any concerns, Ilera will be over-packaging the dry leaf so that weight is properly accounted for. Reduced time spent trimming allows our medicine to be packaged quickly and remain minimally handled thus leaving more trichomes on the buds. You will see more sugar leaves on your dry leaf, but this is not a terrible thing! Sugar leaves are versatile and can be used in various ways.
What Are Sugar Leaves?
Named for their sugar crystal appearance, sugar leaves are the thick trichome covered leaves that grow out of the sides of cannabis flower buds. Sugar leaves contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and can sometimes have high amounts of THC. However, sugar leaves typically contain less THC than the buds so they would be more beneficial ground up and vaped with the rest of the flower.
Some patients find that sugar leaves make for a harsher inhale so if you want to pass on vaping untrimmed dry leaf, you can trim the sugar leaves by using a clean scissor, gardening trimmer, or use your fingers to break them off. Instead of throwing those leaves away, store them in a cool, dark area for other uses.
Beneficial Ways to Use Sugar Leaves:
·Create your own infused oil or tincture – Strain specific tinctures can be difficult to find in the Pennsylvania medical marijuana market so this could be a great way to maximize a strain that is very helpful for managing your condition. Since sugar leaves contain less cannabinoids and terpenes than the buds themselves, be sure to have twice the amount of sugar leaves or more for an infusion.
· Sift out the leaves to create kief or hash – Grind up a sizeable batch of sugar leaves so the trichomes fall through the mesh insert thus creating kief. You can then use that kief to enhance your vaping experience, press it into hash, or utilize other hash methods that can be found through internet research.
·Use for crafty cannabis projects – If you have enough sugar leaves stored from your untrimmed dry leaf, use them to experiment and get creative! They would be useful for making your own topical since they still contain terpenes and cannabinoids. If you like to eat your medical marijuana, use them to garnish an infused dish, mix them into a smoothie, or steep in hot water to brew a tea. If you wear your love for cannabis on your sleeve, incorporate the leaves into an art piece or use as nail décor.
We believe that Ilera will release trimmed dry leaf once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed and processes can return to normal. Until then, enjoy the lower price and extra terps! However you choose to use your untrimmed dry leaf is up to you as long as you are medicated and feeling well during these stressful times.
Stay safe and be well!
**Update** Kind Tree will be using the phrase “natural trim” in place of untrimmed. They are the same thing.
Delta 9 PA by Keystone Integrated Care dispensaries provide medical marijuana in Pittsburgh and Greensburg/Latrobe, PA. We offer affordable medical marijuana cartridges and other products, online reservations, curbside pickup, and quality service to patients in Western Pennsylvania.