Shake Weed: What It Is, How to Use It, and Why You Should Know About It

The world of cannabis can sometimes feel like a maze of terms, products, and methods. One such term that often pops up, particularly in discussions about budget-friendly options, is “shake weed.” If you’re new to cannabis or simply haven’t encountered it before, you might be wondering, “What exactly is shake weed?” This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about shake, from its definition and origins to its various uses and potential drawbacks.

What is Shake Weed?

Shake weed, often simply referred to as “shake,” consists of the small, loose pieces of cannabis that break off from larger buds. Think of it as the remnants or byproducts left behind after handling, packaging, and transporting cannabis flowers. These bits can include:

• Small pieces of flower: Fragments that have broken off from the main bud structure.
• Leaves: Smaller sugar leaves that are often trimmed from the buds but still contain cannabinoids.
• Stems: Very small pieces of stem, though they are often removed from the mix, some small amounts might remain.
• Trichomes: The resinous glands that are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, often found coating the broken pieces of flower, leaves and tiny stems.

It’s essential to distinguish shake from trim. Trim refers to the larger leaves that are removed during the manicuring process of cannabis buds, usually containing lower concentrations of cannabinoids compared to shake. Shake, on the other hand, is closer to bud material and, thus, has the potential for more potency. The actual composition of shake can vary based on the quality and handling procedures involved. Good shake will mostly consist of small pieces of flower and sugar leaves covered in trichomes, while poor quality shake will have more stem and less trichome-rich matter.

How Does Shake Happen?

Shake is essentially an inevitable byproduct of the cannabis supply chain. Here’s how it typically accumulates:

• Harvesting and Trimming: As cannabis plants are harvested and buds are trimmed from the plants, small pieces often fall off.
• Packaging: During the process of packaging buds for sale, more pieces tend to break off, settling at the bottom of containers or bags.
• Transportation: The movement and handling involved in transportation often cause further breakage of buds, adding to the shake pile.
• Handling by Retailers: Dispensary staff handling the flower can also cause pieces to break off during weighing and dispensing, adding to the accumulation of shake.

The accumulation of shake is, therefore, a natural consequence of handling cannabis flower at various stages, and it’s typically less desirable compared to intact buds because of the perception of lower quality.

The Benefits of Shake Weed

While shake might not have the visual appeal of perfectly formed buds, it does offer several benefits that make it a worthwhile option, especially for budget-conscious consumers:

1. Affordability: The most significant advantage of shake is its lower price point. Because it’s made from the leftover pieces of buds, it’s almost always sold at a fraction of the cost of whole flower. This makes it an excellent option for those who consume cannabis regularly or want to try cannabis on a tight budget.
2. Potency: Despite being broken down, good shake can still contain a decent amount of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as terpenes. This is especially true if the shake contains a good amount of trichome-rich material. While it might not pack quite the same punch as whole buds, it’s not insignificant, and can provide a satisfying experience.
3. Versatility: Shake is incredibly versatile and can be used in various methods, making it suitable for diverse cannabis consumption preferences. You can smoke it, vaporize it, or use it to make edibles, topicals, and more.
4. Good for Infusions: The broken-down nature of shake makes it well-suited for making infusions. Whether you want to make cannabis butter, oil, or tinctures, shake provides a cost-effective way to obtain the necessary plant material for these processes.
5. Convenience: It can be more convenient than breaking up whole buds if you’re planning to roll joints, pack bowls, or load a vaporizer chamber. There’s already less prep work since it is already in small pieces.

Potential Drawbacks of Shake Weed

While shake offers many advantages, it’s essential to be aware of its potential drawbacks:

1. Potency Variability: Since shake is a collection of various pieces, the potency can be less consistent compared to whole flower. Some shake may contain more trichomes and, thus, higher cannabinoid content, while other parts may contain fewer.
2. Lower Quality Appearance: Shake usually does not look as appealing or visually impressive as intact buds. This may lead some to perceive it as lower quality, even if the cannabinoid content is reasonably high.
3. Higher Ratio of Plant Matter: There’s the potential for shake to contain a higher ratio of plant matter, like stems and leaves. These parts tend to be less potent than flower and may contribute to a harsher smoke or less desirable flavor.
4. Dryness: Because shake is made up of smaller pieces, it can dry out more quickly than whole buds, which means you need to store it well. Dry shake can result in a harsher smoking experience and lower the quality and potency.
5. Possibility of Contaminants: Since shake is often collected, there is a slightly increased risk of it containing contaminants like dust or debris, especially if it’s not handled properly.

How to Choose Good Shake Weed

Not all shake is created equal. To ensure you’re getting the best quality shake possible, consider the following tips:

1. Look for Trichomes: Good shake will often contain visible trichomes, the tiny, crystal-like structures covering the cannabis flowers. The more trichomes present, the more potent the shake is likely to be. These are often visible as a sort of shimmer or frost on the small pieces of flower and leaves.
2. Color: Avoid shake that appears too brown, yellow, or overly dry. These colors can indicate that the shake is old or of poor quality. The color should look similar to the color of the whole buds of that particular strain of cannabis.
3. Aroma: Good shake should retain some of the aromatic properties of the cannabis strain it came from. If the shake has a strong and pleasant aroma, it’s a good sign. However, a stale, musty, or otherwise off odor is a sign to stay away.
4. Check for Stems and Leaves: If possible, examine the shake for the presence of large stems or excessive fan leaves. A small number of stems are okay but too many signal low quality. Ideally, you want a higher ratio of flower material and sugar leaves.
5. Check the Source: Buy shake from reputable sources. Known dispensaries or growers will provide a higher quality shake. Be wary of buying shake from unknown or unregulated sources, as the quality can vary dramatically.

Ways to Use Shake Weed

Shake weed is surprisingly versatile and can be used in various ways, similar to regular cannabis flower. Here are some popular consumption methods:

1. Smoking

Smoking shake is one of the most straightforward consumption methods. It’s already broken down, making it easy to load into joints, pipes, or bongs.

Step-by-step guide for smoking shake in a pipe:

1. Gather your supplies: You’ll need your shake, a pipe (or other smoking device), a lighter, and optionally a grinder.
2. Prepare the Shake (Optional): While not always necessary, you can use a grinder to further break down the shake to ensure a more consistent burn, especially if it contains larger pieces. However, be careful if you are using a grinder for shake, because some of the shake may fall out as it is already broken down into small pieces. A lot of shake is already the right size for packing your pipe.
3. Load the pipe: Place the shake into the bowl of your pipe. Don’t pack it too tightly, as this can restrict airflow, but pack it well enough to fill the bowl.
4. Light and Inhale: Apply the flame of your lighter to the shake while gently inhaling through the mouthpiece of the pipe. Use a corner of your lighter’s flame to avoid overheating the shake. Take slow, gentle puffs.
5. Exhale and Repeat: Exhale the smoke and repeat as desired. Be sure to clean the pipe regularly to avoid buildup of resin, which can cause a harsher smoking experience and diminished flavor.

Step-by-step guide for smoking shake in a joint:

1. Gather your supplies: You’ll need your shake, rolling papers, a filter (or crutch), and optionally a grinder.
2. Prepare the shake (Optional): While not always necessary, you can use a grinder to further break down the shake for a smoother burn. Be aware that this might not be advisable for all shake, as too much material will fall through the bottom of the grinder.
3. Create the Filter: Roll or fold your filter into a cylindrical shape. This will be inserted at the end of the joint and can help keep shake from getting in your mouth.
4. Fill the Paper: Distribute the shake evenly into the rolling paper, creating a thin, consistent line of shake.
5. Roll the Joint: Carefully roll the paper, tucking and shaping it into a cylindrical form. Insert the filter at one end, and close off the other end.
6. Light and Inhale: Light the tip of the joint and inhale gently through the filter. Take slow, gentle puffs.
7. Exhale and Repeat: Exhale the smoke and repeat as desired. If needed, you can tap off any ash at the end.

2. Vaporizing

Vaporizing is a great alternative to smoking, as it heats the shake without combustion, leading to a less harsh experience. This method is often preferred by those seeking a cleaner way to consume cannabis.

Step-by-step guide for vaporizing shake:

1. Gather Your Supplies: You’ll need your shake and a dry herb vaporizer suitable for flower material.
2. Prepare the Shake: As with smoking, you may want to use a grinder for this, but most shake is already prepared to be put directly into your vaporizer.
3. Load the Vaporizer: Follow the instructions for your vaporizer model to properly load the shake into the heating chamber. Don’t pack too tightly, but be sure the chamber is filled adequately.
4. Set the Temperature: Set the vaporizer to your desired temperature. For cannabis, starting around 350°F (177°C) is a good place to begin and then adjust as needed.
5. Vaporize and Inhale: Once the vaporizer has reached the desired temperature, inhale slowly and steadily through the mouthpiece.
6. Continue As Desired: Vaporizing does not produce smoke, but instead creates vapor. Continue until you have achieved the desired effects. Be sure to clean your vaporizer regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Edibles

Shake is an ideal choice for making edibles because it’s already broken down and cost-effective. You can use shake to infuse oils or butter, which can then be used in various recipes.

Step-by-step guide for making cannabis-infused butter with shake:

1. Gather your Supplies: You’ll need shake, butter, a saucepan, water, a cheesecloth, and a container to store your butter.
2. Decarboxylate the Shake: Spread the shake evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 240°F (115°C) for 30-40 minutes. This step activates the cannabinoids and is essential for producing an effect when consumed orally.
3. Melt the Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, add water (a ratio of 1:1 is a good starting point) to prevent the butter from burning.
4. Add the Decarboxylated Shake: Add the decarboxylated shake to the melted butter and water mixture.
5. Simmer: Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the mixture doesn’t come to a full boil, as this can destroy the cannabinoids.
6. Strain the Mixture: Use a cheesecloth to strain the butter through a fine-mesh sieve, separating the plant matter from the infused butter. Be sure to squeeze all of the cannabutter from the cheesecloth.
7. Cool and Store: Pour the infused butter into a container and let it cool. Once cooled, store it in the refrigerator.

Once you have your infused butter, you can use it in all sorts of recipes to make edibles.

4. Tinctures

Tinctures are liquid extracts that can be taken sublingually. They are another way to use shake and are often appreciated for their precise dosing and discrete nature.

Step-by-step guide for making a cannabis tincture with shake:

1. Gather your Supplies: You’ll need your shake, high-proof alcohol (like Everclear or food-grade ethanol), a glass jar, and a strainer.
2. Decarboxylate the Shake: Just like for making edibles, you need to decarboxylate the shake to activate the cannabinoids. Spread the shake evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 240°F (115°C) for 30-40 minutes.
3. Combine Shake and Alcohol: Place the decarboxylated shake into a glass jar and add enough high-proof alcohol to fully submerge it.
4. Steep: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for several weeks, shaking it daily. Some users prefer to leave the mixture for a few days, while others will steep for weeks or even months.
5. Strain the Mixture: After the steeping process, use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the liquid, separating it from the plant matter.
6. Store: Store your tincture in a dark glass dropper bottle, away from heat and light.

The tincture is then ready for use. You can place a few drops directly under your tongue, or add it to a beverage.

5. Topicals

You can also infuse shake to create topicals, such as creams or salves, which are applied to the skin for localized relief. This method can be useful for pain relief or inflammation without the psychoactive effects.

Step-by-step guide for making cannabis-infused coconut oil (a base for topicals) with shake:

1. Gather Your Supplies: You will need shake, coconut oil, a saucepan, and a strainer.
2. Decarboxylate the Shake: Spread the shake evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 240°F (115°C) for 30-40 minutes. This step is necessary to activate the cannabinoids for absorption through the skin.
3. Melt the Coconut Oil: Gently melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat.
4. Add the Decarboxylated Shake: Add the decarboxylated shake to the melted coconut oil.
5. Simmer: Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to burn the oil.
6. Strain the Mixture: Strain the oil through a fine-mesh strainer, separating it from the plant material. Be sure to squeeze all of the oil from the plant matter through the strainer.
7. Cool and Store: Allow the infused oil to cool, and store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

You can then use the infused oil as is, or use it as an ingredient in creams, salves, and other topical products.

Conclusion

Shake weed is a budget-friendly and versatile option that should not be overlooked. While it might not have the visual appeal of whole buds, it offers many of the same benefits at a significantly lower price. By understanding what shake is, how to choose a good quality product, and how to use it effectively, you can make the most of this often-underestimated form of cannabis. Whether you’re on a tight budget, interested in making edibles, or just curious about exploring different forms of cannabis, shake is certainly worth consideration. With a little know-how, you can unlock the many possibilities that shake has to offer.