What Is Shake Weed?
Among the myriad of strains, products, and consumption methods, one term that often piques curiosity is "shake weed." You may have heard that shake weed is the leftovers of the cannabis flower, but there’s definitely much more than meets the eye. So, what is shake weed exactly, and how does it fit into the broader landscape of cannabis varieties?
We will explain all there’s to know about this byproduct so you can finally understand the benefits of the said product.
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Branding Pot
What Is Shake Weed?
A shake weed is a cannabis product derived from cannabis flower. More specifically, marijuana shake is the loose, fragmented pieces of the cannabis flower typically found at the bottom of a bag or container.
Shake weed consists of fallen fragments from small buds, leaves, and trichomes, which naturally fall off the cannabis flower during transportation or handling.
As some cannabis consumers still regard this product as mere remnants, we have to say it has a wealth of cannabinoids. Many dispensaries offer it at a discounted price, which makes it a budget-friendly alternative for those who still want to experience a good high.
Characteristics of Shake Weed
Shake weed is quite similar, yet very different from trim. While both refer to the remnants of the cannabis flower, the former is a natural occurrence where the loose, fragmented pieces of cannabis flower have been separated naturally. At the same time, the latter happens during the trimming process.
Now that we’ve got that out in the open let’s talk about the characteristics of shake weed. Is shake weed weaker or more potent than the rest of the cannabis flower? What about its texture? There’s plenty to explain.
Texture and appearance
Shake weed usually has a dry, crumbly texture. As it is naturally extracted from the cannabis flower, shake weed could be anything from smaller buds, broken pieces, or leaves that had fallen off during transportation. It can go from small, loose fragments to a fine consistency. The color can vary from green to brown, depending on the strain and the processing degree.
Regarding the potency of shake weed, we have to say it’s less potent than intact cannabis buds.
Potency
Since shake weed consists of smaller pieces and trimmings, it may have a lower concentration of cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) compared to intact buds. However, this isn't always the case, as shake weed can still contain potent trichomes and may have a similar cannabinoid content to larger buds.
Trichomes, which contain the highest concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes, might be lost or damaged during the processing of the plant material. So, although the shake contains the same cannabinoid and terpene profiles as a flower, an intact, high-quality bud may be a bit stronger than a shake.
Moreover, the potency of shake weed can also be influenced by the source it comes from. Shake from high-quality flowers will likely retain more potency compared to shake from lower-quality cannabis.
Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Branding Pot
Affordability
The affordability of shake weed can vary depending on the quality of the shake, region, and supply and demand dynamics. Often, shake weed is more affordable than whole buds because it is considered a lower quality product due to its loose, leafy nature.
So, because it often consists of small pieces and trimmings, it may not have the same visual appearance and potency as intact buds. As a result, dispensaries and sellers offer shakes at a discounted price compared to premium flowers.
However, we must mention that not all shake weed is of low quality - there is a high-quality shake that can still provide an enjoyable experience, especially if used for rolling joints.
Composition and Quality
As we previously mentioned, shake weed primarily comes from the cannabis flower, but it’s not limited to. Therefore, the active ingredient concentration is variable, and we cannot rule out the option that it may consist of some kief in its composition. If it consists of kief and the shake weed resembles dust, you could always use the kief coating machine to add the shake weed as a coat to a pre-roll.
The composition of marijuana shake varies based on the cannabis plant’s quality and strain. Shake, generally, contains a blend of CBD and THC; however, it may contain other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes found within the cannabis plants.
Terpenes are crucial in cannabis shake as they are responsible for the aroma and flavor. Yet, remember that since shake is considered a “leftover” or a residual material, the strength of the shake may differ from that of an intact bud. Notably, cannabis shake has the same terpenes and flavor as the parent flower, offering a similar sensory experience.
The quality of shake weed may vary based on the freshness, strains, and handling. Shake from high-quality cannabis may still be potent, but shake may contain more stems, leaves, and lower-quality material compared to the whole flower.
Uses and Consumption Methods
So far, we have seen that the shake is small, but it can be mighty. Let’s see the three best ways to consume shake weed.
Make edibles or tea
You can make homemade edibles with shake or infuse them into tea. By heating the shake, you can activate the cannabinoids and add them to brownies, cookies, or infused oil recipes once the shake weed has been decarboxylated. Similarly, to create a cannabis-infused tea, we advise you to put the shake in hot water or milk.
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DIY tinctures and topicals
You can make your own tinctures and topicals. By soaking the shake in high-proof alcohol and allowing it to infuse over time, you can make a homemade potent tincture for sublingual consumption or as an additional ingredient in recipes. You can also infuse the shake into oils or lotions and make homemade cannabis-infused topicals.
Smoking
Finally, the most common way of consuming shake is through smoking. Shake’s texture is ideal for joints and even better, it requires no grinding. Shake can still make you have an enjoyable experience regardless of its form.
Conclusion
So, what is shake weed? Shake weed is fragmented pieces of cannabis flower that have broken down from the main buds. Shake weed usually has a lower THC content and may contain more impurities like small stems or leaves. But is weed shake still good? Absolutely! Shake from high-quality cannabis may be potent, but regardless of the cannabis quality, it may still consist of more stems, leaves, and lower quality material compared to the flower.
Finally, is shake worth the money? Yes, among different marijuana types, shake weed is cost-effective.
