What is Kief Weed? A Guide to Cannabis Concentrates

Multiple marijuana joints arranged on a pink background with shadow

If you’re a more adventurous weed consumer or you’ve developed a high tolerance for regular weed, your plug may have tried to put you on to kief weed — arguably one of the most potent types of weed on the market today.

However, you’ll understandably have several questions about this unique source of weed. Not to worry, we can provide you with the answers you need.

Even if you’re hearing about kief weed for the first time, we’ve got you covered. In the following paragraphs, we detail everything you need to know about kief weed — from what it is to what makes it so different and how you can consume it.

So, don’t stop reading.

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Key Takeaways

  • Kief weed refers to the trichomes of the cannabis plant, which contain higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids.
  • You can consume kief in various ways, including adding it to joints or bowls or using it to make edibles and tinctures.
  • Kief weed generally has a higher concentration of THC compared to the other parts of the cannabis plant, making it a more potent psychoactive.

 

What is Kief Weed?

Many people swear that kief is the most potent part of the cannabis flower. While that claim is mostly subjective, there is no doubt that kief weed is famous for its ability to deliver a powerful high. 

But what exactly is the hype all about?

 

Definition of Kief and Weed Kief

We’ll take it one after the other. First, kief and then weed kief. 

What is Kief? 

Kief is the term used to refer to resinous glands called trichomes that grow on cannabis plants and flowers. These trichomes typically contain less plant matter and higher percentages of cannabinoids that contribute to the psychoactive nature of cannabis plants.

Therefore, trichomes typically consist of THC, CBD, and terpenes, amongst other compounds found in cannabis. When it comes to appearance, trichomes look like tiny crystals and are typically amber or white.

In some circles, kief may also be referred to as “Dust,” “Chief,” and “Cannabis Crystals.”

What is Kief Weed?

Kief weed simply refers to extracted kief that is added to vape chambers, bowls, or joints and that delivers powerful psychoactive effects for users.

As a result of the higher concentrations of cannabinoids in kief compared to other parts of the cannabis flower, the kief weed may have more potent effects than other forms of weed from cannabis.

For instance, the difference in cannabinoid content between kief and other parts of the cannabis flower could be as much as 40%.

 

What is the History of Kief Weed? 

A pivotal part of the question “what is kief weed?” is discussing the history of kief weed. Kief has been around for a while, and while it may have been known by a different name, ancient people groups seemed to have used it for various purposes.

For example, kief has traditionally been used for cakes in Morocco. It is also important to note that there is no precise information on when exactly kief was discovered or by who.

 

How is Kief Made?

The trick to high-potency kief is extracting it, and there are many ways to do this.

One of the popular and simplest ways to do this is to gather the accumulated kief that you will find at the bottom of your grinder. However, you should note that extracting kief like this will not give you the highest quality possible.

However, there are grinders that will help you sieve out and collect your kief in a separate chamber. The kief that is gotten in such an instance is typically finer and of a better quality than the one gotten from the bottom of your grinder.

Even if you don’t have a grinder, you should still be able to extract some kief using these tips.

Another way to make kief of even finer quality is to use silk screens designed with layers that help catch and retain the finest trichomes. There is also the ice water bath machine that gets the trichomes into the water and then filters the water to save the kief. This method is one of the more sophisticated ones.

 

Differences Between Kief and Other Cannabis Concentrates

While kief is unique in several ways, it is not alone in its league of high potency weed. There are several other cannabis concentrates that have unique properties and effects. In this section, we discuss how some of them compare with kief.

Kief vs. Hash

While kief and hash share many similarities, there is one primary difference between them.

While kief is typically unrefined, hash is not. As a result, kief may still contain some plant matter. On the other hand, hash is a highly refined and processed cannabis concentrate. However, you should note that hash comes from kief. However, it also undergoes other processes like filtration and separation.

Kief vs. Shatter

There are two significant differences between kief and shatter. The first is that shatter goes through a much more complex production process compared to kief. The second difference is shatter is generally more potent than kief. Many people even refer to shatter as the most potent concentrate in the market today.

Kief vs. Other Concentrates

Other concentrates such as wax, crumble, and budder all have several similarities and differences. However, one way they differ strongly from kief is the degree of their processing, which is far more intricate than kief.

Other significant differences between other concentrates and kief are their texture, appearance, and psychoactive effectiveness. However, the smell generally stays the same.

 

Best Methods for Harvesting Kief

There are dozens of methods to go about harvesting and producing kief. However, the top three ways include using a grinder, silk screen, or dry ice. We go into detail on each of them below:

Using a Grinder

This is the simplest way to harvest kief, especially if you don’t know what to look for. With a grinder, you only have to get some of your bud and grind. After this, depending on your grinder, you can extract your kief at the bottom of the grinder or in a special compartment where it accumulates (in some grinders).

If your grinder doesn’t have a compartment where kief goes, look for sparkling and translucent substances quite separate from plant matter at the bottom of your grinder. That is your kief. Typically, it takes some time for kief to build up at the bottom of your grinder, so you may want to wait a while before you can get a sizable quantity to extract.

To gather your kief from the grinder, use a kief scraper (it usually comes with 4-piece grinders). If you do not have this, you can use a card or any other item to scoop what you need from your grinder.

Using a Silk Screen

The silk screen is a tool that helps you extract kief from the cannabis flower by rubbing the flower on the screen. In this case, the quality of the kief that will be extracted depends on the vigor with which the flower is rubbed in and the size of the openings in the screen.

However, this method is typically a great way to get high-quality kief. To get a silk screen, you may need to head to a local store. You will also need a basin or bucket underneath the screen to catch the kief.

Using Dry Ice

The final method of extracting kief is based on the fact that trichomes become brittle when they are cold or frozen. This means that they will easily fall off under such circumstances. To use dry ice to extract kief, some of the steps include:

  • Get your dry ice and crush them into small blocks
  • Place dry ice and weed into your bucket
  • Let it cool for a while, then slip on a bubble bag on the bucket
  • Shake everything together
  • Sift out your kief

 

Best Ways to Use Kief

There are multiple ways to use kief. The best ones include: 

Smoking 

This is one of the most potent ways to get the best from kief. There are a couple of ways to smoke kief. One way is to sprinkle kief on your bowl or the edges of your pipe or any other smoking instrument.

Typically, you should have already filled the smoking instrument with some buds. Or you could also roll up a thin row of kief and smoke. Better still, buy our kief-covered THCA diamond- infused pre rolls.

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Edibles 

Another interesting way to use kief is to add it to a recipe or meal as an ingredient. This way, it becomes edible.  

For instance, butter infused with kief can be used to make brownies or cookies. You can also sprinkle kief over pizza or pasta. You should note, however, that if you intend to cook with kief, you will need to decarb it; this means that you will need to heat it.

Topping off a Bowl or Joint

Instead of smoking kief on its own, another way to enjoy it is to sprinkle some over a bowl or joint before you begin smoking. What this does is that it helps to add an extra buzz to your joint.

Pressing Kief into Hash or Rosin

Lastly, you can also press kief into hash or rosin for use. To do this, you can use household instruments like a room and paper bags or go through more professional and technical ways. To do a homemade version of pressing kief into hash, you can follow the following steps:

  • Heat up an iron 
  • Place a folded parchment paper on your ironing board 
  • Put some kief into your paper 
  • Place a buffer between the paper and the iron. This could be a newspaper. 
  • Iron in intervals

 

What are the Effects of Kief?

Since kief is filled with cannabinoids like THC, some of its most popular effects are psychoactive. This means that kief is typically linked with making people “high,” causing hallucinations and altered perceptions. Some users also mention relaxing and therapeutic effects that make it a great substance to take just before bed.

 

How Kief Affects the Body

Kief contains high levels of THC, and it is generally accepted that THC, alongside other cannabinoids, interacts with the endocannabinoid system.

Remember, the endocannabinoid system regulates and is involved with multiple processes in the body, ranging from appetite to mood. So, since kief contains multiple cannabinoids; therefore, it has the potential to cause both psychoactive and health benefits in the body.

 

Kief Potency vs. Regular Cannabis Flower

Kief is much stronger than regular cannabis flowers, and this is because it contains a far higher THC content than regular cannabis flowers. The THC content in regular cannabis flowers is somewhere between 12% to 25%, while kief THC levels can go as high as 70%. Therefore, this makes it much more potent and effective for a “high” than cannabis flowers.

Also, because it is stronger, kief effects typically last longer than cannabis flower. However, the length of the high may vary depending on the specific user and several other factors.

 

Potential Side Effects of Kief

While kief is perfect if you want some extra “buzz,” it may come with side effects. However, the good news is these side effects are not extreme or life-threatening and are always short-lived. Besides, not every user experiences them.

That said, here are some potential effects of using kief:

  • Nausea and stomach cramps
  • Altered perception
  • Temporary loss of motor skills
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Extreme sleepiness

 

How to Handle Kief Safely

Generally, when people ask, “what is kief?”, they usually also want to know if it is safe. Not to worry, we have good news for you.

Kief is generally safe to use. However, we recommend consuming it in moderation, especially if you have a low tolerance level. After all, most of the side effects of kief are usually associated with consuming much larger doses than your body can handle. 

 

Where is Kief Legal?

The legality of kief depends on your location. In some states, cannabis and cannabis derivatives are illegal while others allow medical marijuana and concentrates like kief. Some states also fully legalized marijuana.

Here is a quick list of the states where marijuana is legal:

  • Maine
  • Colorado
  • Alaska 
  • Nevada
  • Oregano
  • Washington, DC
  • California 
  • Colorado
  • Michigan
  • Massachusetts 
  • Vermont

Remember, marijuana laws are almost always changing and evolving. So, we recommend consulting with a legal expert before buying or consuming kief in your state.

 

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Kief is easily one of the more popular cannabis concentrates that delivers a powerful high. So, if you’re looking to explore more cannabis products or your body has become tolerant to regular weed, we recommend trying some kief.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

How Much Kief should I use?

There is no universal dosage that works for everybody. The amount you should use depends on your tolerance and previous use. If you are a first-timer, we recommend using the smallest quantities possible.

On the other hand, repeat users should know how much their bodies can tolerate. In all, try not to take too much because of its potency and possible side effects.

Can Kief be Used to Make Other Cannabis Concentrates?

Yes, kief can be used to make other cannabis concentrates like hash and bubble hash.

Is Kief More Expensive than Regular Cannabis Flowers?

This question commonly accompanies the question: “what is kief weed?” The answer is that kief is typically more expensive than regular cannabis flowers. This is because it contains cannabinoids and terpenes, both of which are very valuable.

Can I Make Kief at Home?

Yes, you can extract kief at home from your grinder, with dry ice, or even from a silk screen.

How Long does Kief Last?

There is no universal answer to this, as different individuals react to kief differently based on biological and psychological factors. However, kief effects may typically last as long as 4 hours.