What is a Sugar Leaf?
A sugar leaf is a small cannabis plant leaf around which buds form as the plant grows and begins the flowering process. These leaves produce outgrowths known as trichomes, which make the leaf appear as if it’s been coated in sugar crystals, and is what makes the flower sticky.
What are Sugar Leaves Used For?
Some growers leave sugar leaves alone, while others trim them during the harvesting process to use them for a variety of purposes. Some growers use the trimmed sugar leaves for extracts or pre-rolls, while others use them for different cannabis products.
The trichomes that are produced by sugar leaves are heavily fragrant. Just like the buds of the cannabis plant, sugar leaves contain the same terpenes and cannabinoids that can either produce a high or create medicinal benefits. Sugar leaves, however, do not contain as high of a concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes as the buds of the cannabis plant, and therefore cannot be used in the same ways.
Why You Need to Trim the Sugar Leaf
It’s important that growers trim sugar leaves away from the buds of the cannabis plant. When sugar leaves are allowed to continue to grow on a cannabis plant, they can trap moisture around the buds of the plant, which can result in mildew or mold. In addition to creating health concerns, mildew or mold on buds can create a harsh taste, and can deteriorate the buds’ appearance.
Is a Sugar Leaf Good to Smoke?
While there is nothing wrong with smoking sugar leaves, most people find that their low potency (when compared to standard buds) combined with the increased harshness of their smoke makes them a less-than-ideal choice. If you want to use sugar leaves, it’s a good idea to use them to make a concentrate, rather than treating them the same way you would a bud. If you do choose to smoke sugar leaves, it’s important that they are first dried so that all moisture is removed.
Related Glossary Terms for Sugar Leaf
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