What is Shake Weed (and What Can You Do with It)?

The cannabis market offers a range of items for consumers to purchase, ranging from premium buds to concentrated oils to edibles to topicals. Even loose flower clippings are available, often called shake. 

Shake weed is a cost-effective choice that can offer various solutions and positive outcomes for some consumers.

What is Shake Weed?

Shake weed is the term used to describe the tiny pieces of cannabis flower that break off of larger buds during processing, packaging, and handling. These loose flower fragments contain broken-off trichomes, often called kief, as well as small sugar leaves on some occasions.

It is often found at the bottom of bags, trays, and at various locations in a cannabis processing facility. There is an ongoing joke in the cannabis community that shake often comes off production room floors, which has contributed to its reputation as being a less-than-desirable product.  

Shake is less aesthetically pleasing than full buds, which also impacts how it is viewed by consumers, especially connoisseurs looking for big, beautiful buds. Still, it offers value for the right consumers, especially those on a budget.

In some cases, a package of shake can be made up using several strains, which can make the flavor, aroma, and overall experience unique. This variety is often considered the lowest quality since it is seen as being produced with less intention, and more as "leftovers" of full buds packaged by a brand to make additional money. However, a shake can come from a single strain source, which is preferred by many as it's seen as a great way to get a piece of a high-quality or sought-after strain. 

What it lacks in eye-catching appeal, shake weed makes up for in affordability and convenience. Depending on how you're using it, shake can be a suitable choice for many homemade cannabis products, like edibles. 

Shake is also used to roll, pack, or make:

• Joints
• Bowls
• Bongs
• Edibles
• Extracts
• Topicals

While shake weed is often viewed as a lower-quality option, it can be highly valuable to the right person.

How is Shake Weed Made?

Shake weed usually comes from larger cannabis flowers, commonly referred to as buds or nugs. When these larger pieces of flower are broken or clipped, small parts often detach in the process. The small broken pieces fall to the bottom of bags, jars, and various other storage sources, making up “shake.” 

When made from a singular strain, the experience is similar to what a consumer would experience with a larger nug of the same strain. The experience can be a mix of those plant profiles if made from various strains. 

Making shake weed can happen anywhere. Shake naturally accumulates and occurs during the curing, bagging, shipping, and pre-smoking processes. As such, many people make cannabis into shake weed even when they don't intend to. 

Shake sometimes gets a bad name, and this may be due to its confusion with trim. Shake is not to be confused with weed trimming. Shake typically contains broken or partially ground flower pieces. Trim often includes largely undesirable plant parts, such as fan leaves and stems. The addition of these plant parts typically makes it more difficult for trim to be smoked. Usually, it results in a less desirable consumption experience due to its suboptimal taste.

Advantages of Shake Weed

It might not be the prettiest flower on the sales shelf, but shake weed has plenty to offer consumers for several reasons. 

Cost

If cost is a determining factor in your shake vs. bud decision, then consider that shake runs at lower rates compared to full-bud. Shake may sell for under $30 an eighth, depending on the market.

In some cases, pounds can be acquired for approximately $150. For comparison, a pound of good quality, full-bud weed can exceed $1,000. As such, shake may be ideal for consumers without much concern for plant aesthetics. 

Versatility

Shake is very versatile. Consumers and producers can use shake to smoke, cook, infuse, or produce products like extracts and topicals.

Effects

Opinions may split on this point, as it comes with a big caveat. If you aren't looking for strain-specific effects, shake could be an exciting journey, as it may deliver effects from two or more strains.

Those looking for one strain's effects should check their shake options before buying, as many stores mix what they have. Still, single strain shake is available with a bit of browsing. 

Reduces Waste

Producers or retailers often toss out shake. This problem helps fuel an ongoing waste issue in the cannabis market. Selling shake helps reduce this waste. 

Drawbacks of Shake Weed

Whether a consumer has a finer taste or seeks strain-specificity, there are a few critical drawbacks to consuming shake weed. 

Not Pretty

Shake isn't the pretty bud that most people want to buy. Similar to "ugly" fruits and vegetables, shake weed can still satisfy consumers with adequate or above-average effects. 

Uncertain Effects

With two or more strains often included in shake, consumers won't completely understand the plant's potency, terpene profile, or effects.

This uncertainty concerns many consumers, namely medical patients requiring specific plant compounds and effects. However, this worry is significantly reduced if you find a bag of shake made from one strain. 

While shake has drawbacks, it can be an effective smoked or infused option. If you decide to buy some, treat it like any other cannabis product for the best results. That means keeping your small buds stored optimally in a cool, dark place in an airtight container away from harmful elements like sunlight, oxygen, and humidity.

Tips for Buying Shake Weed

Before buying any shake weed, consider the following questions:

• Does the product come from a well-known seller with a positive consumer reputation?
• Is the flower lab tested? Look for a certificate of authenticity on the packaging (a QR code) or website to verify the contents.
• How does the flower look? Consider skipping if the flower looks old or if it is trim.
• If you can, smell the flower. Confirm that its aroma is fresh.  
• How fresh is the flower? Legal products will have a harvest date. Avoid flowers over a year old or close to that date, as THC can begin to degrade, and the material may be of lower quality for smoking than desired. This shake can still be used in edibles if there is no visible mold or other contamination.

Consider buying your shake at a licensed dispensary to ensure you're buying shake or any products made under state regulations. This is also a good idea, as you can chat with a budtender who can help determine if shake weed is best for your next bowl, bong, or other method of consumption.

Top 5 Shake Weed Products

Technically, shake weed products aren't advertised much. Some stores and online retailers will have shake on their menus. Still, it's not a large product sector, such as edibles, topicals, vape carts, etc.  

The best shake comes from the freshest flower possible.

Pre-Packaged and Purchased

Many dispensaries and online retailers offer single and multi-strain shake options. While sold in bags, many retailers and producers combine their shakes with other popular products, namely pre-rolls. 

Pre-Ground Shake

Some shops may even sell their shake pre-ground, an ideal option for anyone looking to make pre-rolls or pack a spliff or blunt without doing the prep work. 

DIY Shake

You can make shake at home using any flower you already have. Just keep the small bud pieces that have fallen off and store it for when you're ready to use them.

Popcorn Buds

Similar to shake, popcorn buds contain small pieces of cannabis flower. Unlike trim, popcorn buds are usually made from underdeveloped buds. These smaller flowers typically don't make the cut for top-shelf sales. Still, depending on the source strain, popcorn buds can have potent effects at a relatively low price.

Prerolls

Many brands use shake to fill their pre-rolls. This can make them a more affordable option for consumers looking for a convenient session.

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.