What Is Marijuana Shake: How It’s Made, Uses & How to Consume

Shake

Also: marijuana shake, cannabis shake

Loose pieces of cannabis flower that break off of larger buds as a result of regular handling and movement, often sold at a lower price than whole or popcorn flower.

Shake refers to the small pieces of cannabis flower that “shake” or fall off during handling—and that’s where it got its name. These bits include tiny buds, trichomes, and sometimes small stems or leaves. Shake is often a mix of several strains, though you can buy single-strain shake. While it’s less potent than whole flower, shake is more affordable and can be used in various ways, from packing it into a bowl to adding it to your favorite food or beverage for an edible. Shake is a great option for budget-conscious cannabis enthusiasts.¹

It’s important to note, some cannabis consumers look down on THC shake as being lesser quality. This can be an error in judgment. While shake cannot be compared to a full, top-tier marijuana flower bud, shake can have a decent cannabinoid profile–especially if you purchase your cannabis flower from a high-quality dispensary.

One of the many reasons cannabis enthusiasts enjoy shake is its versatility. It can be used in a variety of cannabis products, including:

Smoke Shake

You can sprinkle shake into a bowl, use it to roll joints, or pack it into a blunt. Shake also works well as a filler for larger joints, giving you an affordable way to stretch your stash. Or if you’re simply on a very tight budget, you can buy only shake instead of using the leftovers from a bud in the packet.²

Make Edibles or Tea

Edibles with shake are ideal. You can easily make cannabutter or cannaflour. Be sure to decarboxylate (heat) it first to activate the THC. You can also use shake to brew tea—simply steep it in hot water with your favorite tea, strain, add honey or lemon, and enjoy.

Make Edibles

Make DIY tinctures or topicals with shake for a budget-friendly way to experiment with different combinations. This is especially great if you’re trying to find what works best for your needs, and you can even microdose with a THC tincture made from shake.³ To make your own tincture, decarboxylate shake and soak it with high-proof alcohol for a full day. Stir the mixture occasionally, strain it, and pour it into a dropper bottle.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective and flexible cannabis option, shake might just be what you need. While it’s not as flashy as full buds, it offers several advantages that make it worth considering:

• Cheaper: Shake is significantly less expensive than whole flower, making it a budget-friendly choice for cannabis consumers.
   
• Convenient: It’s already broken down, so there’s less need for grinding, saving you time and effort during preparation.
   
• Versatile: Shake can be used in a variety of ways, from smoking in a bowl or joint to making edibles, tea, or even tinctures.
   

While shake has its perks, there are a few downsides to keep in mind. Depending on your preferences, these factors might make it less ideal for your needs:

• Inconsistent: Shake is often a mix of different strains, meaning the flavor, aroma, and effects can vary from batch to batch.
  
  
• Less potent: Over time, marijuana shake can lose potency due to exposure to light, air, and heat, which can convert THC into CBN and dull its effects.
  
  
• Appearance: Shake isn’t as visually appealing as whole cannabis flower. And while this doesn’t matter for practical use, it may not appeal to all cannabis enthusiasts.
  
  

Shake often gets confused with other cannabis byproducts, but each has unique characteristics. Here’s how shake compares to other types of cannabis flower:⁴

• Shake vs Whole Flower: Shake consists of the small pieces that break off larger buds during handling, making it less visually appealing and sometimes less potent. Whole flower refers to full, trimmed buds sold intact, which are more desirable for their aesthetic and higher cannabinoid content.
  
  

• Shake vs Popcorn: Popcorn flower refers to smaller buds that grow near the stalk of the cannabis plant. These buds are compact and slightly less potent than premium flower but still full buds. Shake, in contrast, is made up of loose bits that fall off during processing, making it more fragmented.

• Shake vs Trim: Trim consists of the leaves and trimmings that cultivators remove from buds during harvesting. Trim often includes sugar leaves, which have fewer cannabinoids. Shake, however, comes from small flower pieces and trichomes, making it more potent and flavorful than trim.
  
  

• Shake vs Kief: Kief is made up of dried trichomes, the resin glands of the cannabis plant that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. Kief is far more potent than shake and is often used as a topper or in making hash. Shake contains a mix of plant material and trichomes, making it less concentrated and potent than kief.
  

If you’ve been curious about marijuana shake or wonder if it’s the right option for you, these common questions might help clear things up. Whether you’re considering shake for its affordability or versatility, understanding how it compares to other cannabis products can make your decision easier. And remember, you can always ask a budtender for personalized advice.

Is shake bad?

Shake isn’t bad—it’s value depends on your preferences and how you plan to use it. Ultimately, it’s a budget-friendly and versatile option for cannabis enthusiasts.

Are shake and trim the same?

Shake and trim aren’t the same thing. Trim refers to the leaves trimmed from the buds, while shake is the small pieces of flower that fall off.⁴

Is shake cheaper than flower?

Typically, yes. Because shake is just pieces of broken flower, it is less expensive than a big, premium flower bud you might purchase.

Can you buy marijuana shake?

Yes, you can purchase marijuana shake at just about any dispensary that sells flower.

Is shake cheaper than flower?

Typically, yes. Because shake is just pieces of broken flower, it is less expensive than a big, premium flower bud you might purchase.

Can you use shake for edibles?

Yes! Marijuana shake is a great product when you’re making edibles, especially cannabutter.

Do you need to grind shake?

You will not likely need to grind shake as it is already broken down into packable bits.

Is shake the same as kief?

No. Shake is the pieces of flower that fall off larger buds. Kief is the dried trichomes from the cannabis plant.

Which part of the marijuana plant does shake come from?

When you walk into a dispensary, many have jars filled with big marijuana buds you can purchase depending on the experience you’re looking for. Those buds are where cannabis shake comes from. Shake is created by the handling of bags or jars of flower. When the buds are jostled, pieces fall off. Those pieces are shake.

Is shake as potent as flower?

Shake is often less potent than flower, but the difference depends on storage and quality.

Is shake worth it?

Shake can be worth it if you’re looking for an affordable option or planning to use it for edibles or tinctures.

Purchasing Marijuana Shake

If your local dispensary sells flower, chances are good that they also sell shake, and typically, they keep both options near one another. Head over to the flower section and start perusing their selection or, if you’re not sure where to start, ask one of our expert budtenders. They can help you find the right product, be it shake for your own pipe or edibles or pre-rolls filled with shake.