What Is Shake Weed: Everything You Need To Know

When we say shake weed, we don’t mean weed so potent it leaves you doing the “Harlem shake” or the “wiggle dance.” No, we mean that budget-friendly cannabis that looks like debris but is actually canna-gold. Never heard of it? Well, you’re in luck because, in this guide, you’ll learn what shake is and how it can help you save money without sacrificing your high.

Pros and Cons of Shake Weed

Like every other product, shake cannabis has its upsides and downsides. But for most people, especially pennywise folks, its advantages far outweigh its shortcomings.

Pros of Shake Weed

• Wallet-Friendly: Shake is arguably the most affordable cannabis product you can buy without sacrificing quality. You can get an ounce for just $40—half the price of regular buds, which typically cost at least twice as much for the same amount. Premium flowers cost even more, with the cheapest starting at $150 per ounce.
• Versatile: You can enjoy shake in so many ways, including smoking it in a joint or bowl, vaping with a dry herb vaporizer, or making tinctures, edibles, and topical products.
• Convenient: Unlike regular flower, you don’t need a grinder for shake. Since it’s typically already crumbled, you can use it right out of the bag. You can also smoke it on its own or mix it with other cannabis products in a blunt or bowl.
• Widely Available: Most dispensaries collect shake weed from the bottom of their cannabis jars and bags and are happy to sell it rather than throw it out.
• Great Value: Flowers and trichomes (kief) are the most cannabinoid- and terpene-rich parts of the cannabis plants. Since shake mostly consists of kief and flower bits, you are getting a potent product at a bargain price, making it a great value buy.
• Exciting: If you like playing Russian roulette with your high, shake is a great way to go. Since it’s usually a mix of bits of various strains gathered from different containers, the high from shake can be unpredictable.

Cons of Shake Weed

• Unpredictable: Shake weed’s unpredictable effects make it unsuitable for therapeutic or medical use. For instance, it might contain more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than you can handle or not enough of the other cannabinoids to deliver your desired effects.
• Unaesthetic and Low Shelf Life: Compared to unbroken premium flower, shake weed looks a lot like dirt weed, which can be off-putting for some. It also often has a shorter shelf life.

How to Make Shake

You typically don’t deliberately make shake cannabis. It forms naturally when trichomes, sugar leaves, and bits of flower break off from nugs and buds stored in bags and jars. These bits break off during the handling or transporting of marijuana containers or their content. After removing the whole flowers and nugs, what’s left at the bottom of the container is shake, which you can store separately for use or resale.

READ: Unraveling the Mystery of ‘Weed Shakes’: Discover the Science Behind Their Causes and Effects

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Shake Weed?

Shake weed consists of kief and crumbs of stems, sugar leaves, and buds that break off whole flowers and settle at the bottom of jars or bags. Dispensaries gather these potent remnants and sell them as shake at affordable prices.

Is Shake Weed Bad for You?

Shake from clean, quality flower is just as safe and good for you as the whole flower. You only need to worry about the safety of shake if it’s moldy, stale, or comes from a contaminated flower.

What is Weed Shakes?

Weed shakes, not to be confused with shake weed, is a condition some people experience after consuming high doses of THC. It can cause uncontrollable body tremors or shivering, which is why it’s called “weed shakes.” It’s typically not dangerous and passes as the high fades.

What is the Best Use for Shake Weed?

The best use for shake weed depends on your preferences. You can roll some into a blunt or load a pipe to smoke. You can also vape it with a dry herb vaporizer or make tinctures, edibles, and other canna-products.

Why is Shake Weed Cheaper?

Shake weed costs less than whole flowers because it consists of cannabis leftovers and scraps that dispensaries typically throw out. It can’t cost as much as whole flower, which is more visually appealing and desirable, or concentrates, which require more effort to produce.

Is Shake Stronger Than Nugs?

Whether shake is stronger than nugs depends on its quality. Fresh shake packed with kief and bits of nugs can be just as potent as whole nugs from the same strain. In contrast, shake made up of mostly bits of leaves and stems won’t be as potent.

Why Do People Hate Shake Weed?

Most people who hate shake believe it’s dirt weed (mostly sticks and stems) and not worthwhile. Some also find it visually off-putting and would rather have whole flowers. Lastly, shake in joints may produce harsh smoke, depending on its dryness and extra plant materials like stems or sugar leaves.

Is It Safe to Use Weed?

Cannabis is safe for most people. However, if you’re on medication or have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your doctor to make sure using cannabis is safe. Also, you shouldn’t use cannabis if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, as it might harm the baby.

How Long Do Weed Shakes Last?

Weed shakes can last anywhere from a few minutes to up to an hour. It typically fades as your high wears off or once you start to relax.

What is Loose Weed Called?

Loose weed is another name for shake cannabis. It describes the crumbs of kief, flower, and sugar leaves that naturally fall off whole flowers during handling.