Quick answer
Shake is the loose mix of small leaves, trichomes, and broken flower that falls off cannabis buds. You smoke it the same way as flower: roll it in a paper, pack it in a pipe or bong, or heat it in a vaporizer. Shake is drier and lower in THC than buds, so it burns faster. Use a screen and pack it tighter than you would with flower.
What shake is
Shake collects at the bottom of a cannabis bag or jar. It holds leaf fragments, stems, kief, and bits of bud. Trichomes carry most of the cannabinoids, so kief-heavy shake tests higher than leafy shake. Some shops sell trim as shake. Ask what is in the package.
THC levels
Whole flower in US dispensaries often tests 15% to 25% THC. Shake often tests 5% to 15%. Numbers shift by batch and by how much leaf is in the mix. Check the label on the package before you buy.
How to smoke shake
Joint
Grind the shake fine. Dry shake burns fast, so roll tighter than normal and use a paper with a filter tip. A filter keeps loose bits out of your mouth. Add a pinch of ground flower in the middle to slow the burn.
Pipe
Put a metal or glass screen in the bowl. Shake falls through holes without one. Fill the bowl, tap it down with light pressure, and light the edge. Draw slow.
Bong
A bong cools the smoke. Pack a small bowl, one or two hits at a time. Shake burns down fast, so reload. Water traps some tar and particles.
Vaporizer
Dry herb vaporizers run at 350F to 430F (177C to 220C). Lower heat gives more flavor. Shake works in a vaporizer and makes no smoke. Clean the chamber after each session. Fine shake leaves residue.
Tips
- Store shake in an airtight glass jar in a dark, cool place.
- Use it within a few months. Shake dries out faster than buds.
- Add a humidity pack to stop it turning to dust.
- Mix shake with flower for a slower burn.
- Clean pipes and screens after each session.
Legal note
Cannabis is illegal under US federal law. State rules differ. Buy from licensed shops in states where adult use is legal. You must be 21 or older in those states.