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Anyone who uses a dry herb vapourizer eventually accumulates a container of it. Dark brown, slightly crispy, and smelling faintly of toast, already-vaped bud often gets thrown away or forgotten in a jar.
Already-vaped bud, usually shortened to AVB, is spent flower from a vapourizer. It isn't the same thing as ash, and it isn't the same thing as fresh flower.
AVB sits somewhere in between: a meaningful amount of its cannabinoids has already been extracted, but some can remain depending on how the flower was vapourized.
One important difference is that AVB has already been decarboxylated. Vapourizing heats flower through the temperature range that converts THCA into active THC, so AVB does not need the same initial preparation as fresh flower.
How Much Is Actually Left?
The honest answer is that it varies considerably.
The biggest factor is the temperature used during vapourization. Lower-temperature sessions can leave more cannabinoids behind, while higher-temperature sessions generally extract more.
Session length and how many times the same load was reheated also matter. A bowl used through several long, high-temperature sessions will generally contain less remaining material than one used briefly at a lower temperature.
Colour Is Your Best Guide
| AVB Colour | Vapourized At | Roughly What's Left | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light golden brown | Low temperature, short session | Substantial | Edibles, infusion |
| Medium brown | Moderate temperature | Moderate | Edibles, infusion |
| Dark brown | Higher temperature or full session | Limited but usable | Infusion, capsules |
| Near black, brittle | Very high temperature or combusted | Minimal | Discard |
Light brown AVB is generally worth keeping. Black, brittle, ashy material is usually too spent to be worth the effort.
Why Decarboxylation Matters
Fresh cannabis contains THCA, which needs heat to convert into THC. This is why fresh flower intended for edibles is commonly decarboxylated first.
AVB has already been exposed to heat during vapourization.
That means you generally do not need to decarboxylate AVB again. Additional heating can further degrade what remains.
If you're learning about the process with fresh flower, see our decarboxylation guide.
The Taste Problem
AVB has a strong roasted, bitter, vegetal flavour. The taste comes largely from the plant material having already been heated.
That flavour can carry into food and drinks, which is why some people prefer to treat the material before using it.
Water Curing
Water curing is one method people use to reduce some of the unpleasant flavours associated with AVB.
The basic idea is that water can remove some water-soluble compounds responsible for the taste, while cannabinoids are not water-soluble.
The process involves repeatedly rinsing AVB with cold water, straining it thoroughly, and allowing it to dry completely before use.
The result can be noticeably paler and less bitter than untreated AVB.
What Can You Use AVB For?
AVB is commonly incorporated into preparations where its remaining cannabinoids can be consumed rather than inhaled.
Infused Foods
AVB can be incorporated into foods containing a suitable fat source. Because the material is already decarboxylated, the focus is on using the remaining cannabinoids rather than repeating the decarboxylation step.
Capsules
Capsules are another option for people who don't want to deal with AVB's strong flavour.
Tea or Coffee
AVB can also be incorporated into drinks, although cannabinoids do not dissolve effectively in water alone. A suitable fat source is generally needed for this type of preparation.
Simple Edibles
AVB can be incorporated into strongly flavoured foods where the roasted taste is easier to mask.
Dosing: Be Careful
This is where AVB can be unpredictable.
You usually don't know exactly how much THC remains because the original flower, vapourizer temperature, session length, and number of heating cycles can all differ.
It's easy to assume that AVB is almost inactive simply because it has already been vapourized. That isn't necessarily true, particularly when the material was used at a relatively low temperature.
Edibles also behave differently from inhaled cannabis. The body processes ingested THC differently, which can make the experience less predictable.
For that reason, start with a very small amount and allow plenty of time before considering more. Keeping notes about the amount used and your experience can also help you understand your own batches over time.
Our guide on why edibles affect people so differently explains more about the variables involved.
You can also read our guide to reading THC labels on Canadian edibles.
Can You Smoke It?
You can, but it generally isn't the best use for AVB.
Re-smoking AVB tends to produce harsh, bitter smoke while offering relatively little compared with fresh flower because much of the readily vaporized material has already been extracted.
Some people mix a small amount with fresh flower, but the additional material can add harshness without providing much benefit.
AVB is generally better suited to non-inhaled uses.
Storing AVB
Treat AVB like a cannabis product, with one important difference: it is already quite dry, so humidity control isn't the main goal.
Keep it:
- Airtight to limit oxidation and odour escape
- Cool
- Dark
- Away from unnecessary heat and moisture
AVB can continue degrading over time. Rather than collecting the material indefinitely, using it within a reasonable period is preferable.
It is also worth remembering that AVB has a distinctive roasted plant smell. If you live in a shared building, keeping it properly sealed can help prevent the odour from spreading.
If you're starting with fresh cannabis rather than already-vaped material, check out our flower selection. Uper Weed also offers weed delivery in Ottawa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is already-vaped bud still potent?
It can be. The amount remaining depends heavily on the temperature and duration of vapourization. Light golden-brown AVB generally contains more remaining material than dark brown or nearly black AVB.
Do I need to decarb AVB before making edibles?
Generally, no. Vapourizing has already exposed the flower to the heat needed for decarboxylation. Reheating it unnecessarily can further degrade the remaining cannabinoids.
Why does AVB taste so bad?
The plant material has already been heated, producing roasted, bitter and vegetal flavours. Water curing can reduce some of the compounds responsible for the taste.
How do I water cure AVB?
Water curing involves repeatedly rinsing AVB with cold water, straining it, and drying it thoroughly. The process is intended to reduce some of the unpleasant water-soluble compounds responsible for the flavour.
How much AVB should I use in edibles?
There is no reliable way to determine the exact potency of homemade AVB. Start conservatively, allow plenty of time before considering more, and keep notes about what you use and how it affects you.
Can you smoke already-vaped bud?
You can, but it is generally harsh and offers less than fresh flower because much of the readily vaporized material has already been extracted.
The Short Version
AVB isn't ash and it isn't fresh flower. It's cannabis flower that has already been heated in a vapourizer and may still contain some cannabinoids.
Colour is the easiest visual guide: light brown material is generally more worthwhile than dark, brittle or nearly black material.
AVB is already decarboxylated, so repeating that step isn't generally necessary. Its biggest drawback is the strong roasted flavour, which is why some people prefer to water cure it before incorporating it into food.
Store AVB airtight, cool and dark, and avoid keeping it indefinitely. Most importantly, remember that its potency is difficult to estimate, so treat it as an unpredictable cannabis product rather than assuming it is inactive.
