Shake

Shake. Like a lot of cannabis terms, it means different things to different people. And how people define shake does a lot to determine whether they love it or hate it.

“Leftovers” might be the simplest description. Shake consists of small pieces of cannabis flower that break off of larger buds, generally as the result of regular handling. But just like leftovers, shake can be delicious or disgusting. Knowing what to look for in shake can mean the difference between a cool, clean smoke and a coughing fit.

Rather than fall back on old stereotypes, we talked to budtenders, dispensary managers, and cannabis connoisseurs to determine what exactly shake is and when (or whether) it’s worth buying.