Ways To Use Already Vaped Bud (AVB)

Did you know that you can use the leftovers from your vape sessions? That’s right – that dry, crispy, dark bud is still chock-full of THC and other cannabinoids even when you’re done with it. This stuff is called AVB, which stands for already vaped bud, but is also known as ABV (already been vaped). Saving your vaped weed requires a bit of patience, but it all pays off with these sweet ways to put that jar of AVB to good use. 

What’s The Big Deal With AVB?

What is AVB and how is it different from cannabis that hasn’t been vaped? When you smoke your weed, you’re left with just the ashes. By smoking your cannabis, all those cannabinoids get burned up before they can get activated. When it comes to vaping, because of the lower heat involved in the process, the leftover bud gets to not only activate cannabinoids but also keep them even after the session is over.

What Kind Of Magic Makes AVB Work?

When you vaporize cannabis flowers, the weed goes through a process called decarboxylation, which converts non-psychoactive THC-A into THC and activates other cannabinoids like CBD. Otherwise known as "decarbing", this process makes the cannabis suitable for edibles without having to cook it in butter or oil. AVB contains any remaining THC that wasn’t vaporized during your vape sesh, as well as other activated cannabinoids. However, ABV only works when it’s been properly heated during vaping, ideally in the 315-440°F (157-227°C) range.

AVB Without Vaping

You can make your own mock AVB weed without a vape by simply decarbing your cannabis. Decarboxylation, the process of activating cannabinoids under heat, does the same thing as vaping weed in that it converts THC-A to THC. To decarboxylate, distribute your finely-ground bud evenly on a cookie sheet and heat it in the oven for an hour at 225°F (about 105°C). Keep in mind that decarbed weed is going to have way more THC than your usual AVB, since you didn’t already vape it, so this will make for some powerful stuff!

High THC Strains

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What You Can Do With AVB

AVB is a super versatile cannabis product. It can be used as a ready-to-go edible or transformed into a smokable concentrate. Just because it isn’t super tasty doesn’t mean you can’t mask the flavor in one way or another to still appreciate the benefits!

Your Favorite Herb Is Now A Pizza Topping

Although the flavor of AVB isn’t incredibly palatable, it’s still possible to get high from eating AVB without processing it any further. Consider it as a topping for your salad, your fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza, or mixed into some peanut butter to spread onto a sandwich. You can get really fun and creative with different ways of eating vaped weed. Try starting with a 1/4 teaspoon dose and move up from there after 2 hours if necessary.

Simply-Made Cannabutter And Oil

People often prefer making AVB into an infused butter or coconut oil. Making cannabutter is super easy! First, grind your AVP up finely. Over low heat, combine the AVB with butter using at least a 1:1 ratio (1 oz AVB, 1 oz butter). Add a little water to the mixture and let it sit over low heat for a few hours, stirring every so often. After it’s cooled a bit, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and you’re ready to get cooking with vaped weed and enjoy some AVB edibles!

Easy-To-Dose Cannacaps

A simple way to mitigate the flavor and control dosage is to make your own THC capsules, or “cannacaps”, filled with either pure AVB or AVB oil. This way, you know exactly how much is in each capsule. We suggest starting with a quarter teaspoon in 00 size capsules, and waiting at least 2 hours before considering another dose. These can be sneaky and pack a late punch! 

Hash It Out AVB-Style

You can also make hash with AVB, which is great if you prefer smoking! You need a high-proof alcohol for this method, so we recommend Everclear. Pour your finely-ground AVB into a small glass bottle and add just enough alcohol to cover the bud. Shake vigorously, then pour the mixture into a glass Pyrex dish. Cover and let it sit for at least a day to give the alcohol time to evaporate. All you need to do now is scrape the hash out and sprinkle it into bowls and joints!

Water Curing For A Better Flavor

What is water curing? This is a reliable method that, by submerging AVB in water, strips away those bitter flavors without compromising potency. Water curing is only really worthwhile if you have a lot of AVB saved up – at least an ounce. Secure your AVB in a cheesecloth, just like a big tea bag, and submerge it in a bowl of water. When the water gets murky, toss it out and replace with fresh water as needed over the next 4 to 7 days.

Finally, spread the soaked AVB on a cookie sheet and give it 2 hours in the oven at 200ºF (93ºC), mixing every so often. Once it’s all dry, your water-cured AVB is ready to go!

Turn It Into A Tincture

If you want to maximize the potential of your AVB, a tincture is a great choice for edible enthusiasts. By turning it into a tincture, you can achieve a lovely infusion of cannabinoids and what’s left of the terpenes and flavonoids. Be sure to choose a high-proof alcohol safe for consumption, like Everclear. The general rule for the alcohol to AVB ratio in a tincture is 1 fl oz (30 ml) to 1 gram. Just mix the AVB with alcohol in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for at least 2 weeks. Shake it once a day for best results. After 2 weeks to 2 months of waiting, drain the mixture – your tincture is now ready! Take a few drops under your tongue or mix it into a smoothie for some chill vibes.

Smoking AVB: Honestly, The Last Resort

And before you ask “can you smoke vaped weed?”, the answer is yes – but we don’t recommend it. First of all, it kind of defeats the purpose of vaping your cannabis. Second, it tastes just plain bad and the smoke will be harsh. Finally and most importantly, when you’re smoking vaped weed, you won’t have anywhere near the potency of fresh flowers or an AVB edible. So, sure, smoking AVB is possible, but you should probably avoid it if you can.                

Stoney Snacks Galore!

From low-effort methods to those that require more patience, it’s easy to convert your AVB into a new stoney snack. Don’t forget that edibles take a while to kick in, sometimes 2 hours or over, so start with a low dose and wait before you have more. You can always have more, but you can’t un-eat what you’ve already consumed! There are plenty of AVB recipes out there, so let us know in a comment what you love the most!