Cannabis Terminology
(flower)
Whole Flower
Whole flower cannabis consists of intact, raw cannabis buds that are sold in their original, unground form rather than as pre-ground material, extracts, or oils.
Small Buds
Cannabis small buds—often called "pops," "baby buds," or "popcorn nugs"—are smaller-sized flower nugs that grow lower down on the cannabis plant where they receive less direct light.
Shake
Cannabis shake refers to the small pieces of cannabis flower that break off during processing or storage. These bits consist of smaller, loose fragments of flower and trichomes.
Trim
Cannabis trim refers to the leftover leaves and small plant material that are cut away from the cannabis flower (bud) during the harvesting and manicuring process.
Note: Some dispensaries use the term Type followed by a number from 1 -3Â Understanding The Cannabis Type 1, 2, and 3 SystemÂ
The cannabis type 1, 2, and 3 system makes understanding the natural balance of THC to CBD in a flower relatively straightforward. To many shoppers, when first approached by percentages or lab reports, this simplification makes things clearer. Â
Type I flower contains high THC with very little CBD. This offers the strongest rise, fast changes in mood or energy, and works great for people who enjoy a powerful experience or want strong evening comfort. Â
Type III flower, on the other side of the scale, contains very high CBD and very low THC. It offers gentle calm, clear thinking, and a soft sense of relief. Many people choose this variety when they want comfort without significant changes or a strong rise.Â
Besides, the Type 2 flower sits in the middle. This type carries balanced levels of THC and CBD. The equal blend offers calm clarity with a mild lift. Many people feel this balance brings a steady sense of comfort that stays smooth. It helps people stay aware, focused, and grounded without feeling pulled too far in either direction. Â
The balance also makes this system helpful for beginners wanting to learn how each type feels. When people know the simple structure of the cannabis type 1, 2, and 3 system, they can make choices based on their mood, their tolerance, and what they hope to feel.
But wait cannabis fans we also see the word "tier" used in reference to bud and sometimes concentrate: In Florida, the terminology for cannabis tiers varies depending on the dispensary franchise, but if you are looking for premium, top-shelf whole flower (often designated as Tier 1, Primo, or Cultivar Collection) it can be found at most dispensaries designated as such.. For example tier 2 cannabis generally means a mid-to-high quality cannabis product (flower or concentrate) that sits just below top-shelf ("Tier 1") in quality, appearance, or price, though the exact definition depends on whether a dispensary is ranking by quality grade, pricing, or chemotype (Type II). Remember our discussion here on chemotypes.
(Q) So can you buy shake/trim anywhere on the green mile ?
(A) Yes you can , At the time that this article was published 4 of the 12 dispensaries on the mile sold shake/trim. (listed on their menus under "flower types" as shake/trim. Generally sold in 7G units for around 20$-25 $sale price. Half of the dispensaries sold ground flour (listed on their menus under "flower types" as pre-ground).Ground flower is sold in all weights and all prices.If you drill down into the product descriptions it states very clearly that their products are 100% ground buds. (does not state if whole or smalls). All the dispensaries sold whole and small flower. Only 1 of the 12 dispensaries sold all forms of flower (whole , smalls , shake / trim). In my research on shake/trim it is considered good practice in the cannabis industry to use all of the (good) parts of the plant.
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(Q) So why don't all of the dispensaries sell shake/trim if its considered good practice ?
(A)Â Not all Florida dispensaries sell shake or trim because business models, processing methods, and quality-control standards vary by company.
Business and Processing Reasons
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Vertical Integration: Florida requires Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) to handle cultivation, processing, and retail themselves. Some companies choose to extract all of their leftover trim and small bits into concentrates (like oils, shatters, or waxes) rather than package and sell it as loose shake.
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Brand Image: Many dispensaries prefer to sell intact, high-grade whole flower buds to maintain a reputation for premium quality.
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Volume and Yield: The amount of shake or trim produced depends heavily on a facility's specific trimming machines, hand-trimming practices, and harvest size. Not every batch generates a consistent or marketable surplus.
"tCJ's thoughts on the subject of flower"
I personally like buds , the bigger the better. Some of the colors of the buds that you buy today are just mind blowing. My personal preference is to grind my flower as needed and keep any extra in my air tight container. Ground flower did not seem to be a whole lot cheaper than whole flower or smalls. The few dispensaries that sold shake/trim definitely sold it at a bargain. As inventories are always changing other dispensaries could have shake/trim for sale at various times. Although money is most always a factor when purchasing cannabis goods I do not have any plans to buy/try any ground flower or shake/trim at this time. If I happened to be vacationing in a "Legal Cannabis" state then I would consider purchasing an 1/8 to try some trim/shake BUT since we are all working within the confines of our medical prescriptions my daily regiment is locked in with little room for free lancing. We all agree on one thing and that's the choice is yours ! Trim/shake could be just what the doctor order for you and your wallet........ peace.