Moon rocks are nugs of cannabis flower dipped in extracts and rolled in kief. Moon rocks are typically high in THC, averaging more than 50%, and valued foremost for their potency.

Moon rocks are essentially the “champagne” of the cannabis world. Some people even call them cannabis caviar. They’re made up of different products that are all rolled into one very potent nug and smoked. They became a thing when West Coast rapper Kurupt brought it to people’s attention and eventually trademarked his own brand of moon rocks. As for the name, they do look like moon rocks. But their ability to send even the most seasoned cannabis consumer flying extra high might have something to do with it, too.

How are they made?

Moon rocks are made by taking a nugget of cannabis flower and dipping it in or spraying it with concentrate, distillate, or hash oil. They’re usually made with Girl Scout Cookies (the cannabis strain, not Thin Mints) flower and concentrate, but can be made with any strain. The coated nugget is then rolled in kief. Kief, also called pollen or dry sift, is the sticky crystals that cover the cannabis flower. This crystal residue contains terpenes and cannabinoids.

How strong are Moon Rocks?

Though the potency of each batch of Moon Rocks varies and depends on how it’s made/who produces it, the general consensus is that they hover around 50% THC (most flower by itself averages around 20% THC). Hitting Moon Rocks produces an extremely pleasant, terpene-rich taste of kief that makes you say, “Wowww, that’s delicious.” The smoke clouds produced are super big and full, so each hit is damn near its own experience.

And the high? Oh buddy, oh pal, don’t even get me started on the high. Starting in the head, and eventually spreading throughout the entire body down to your toes, a Moon Rocks high is one of those slow burns that you definitely feel at first, but 30 minutes later, you realize that you have reached a mountaintop that you may not have been ready to climb.

How are they consumed?

Smoking moon rocks isn’t necessarily complicated, but it does require a little more effort than smoking flower. You can smoke moon rocks like you would any other nug, by breaking it up into a joint, bowl, vape, or pipe. Keeping it lit isn’t easy, and it’s also super dense and greasy, so glassware like a bong or pipe is the preferred way.

Do’s:

• Use scissors to break the moon rocks into small pieces
• Use glass smoking gear as opposed to rolling papers
• Lightly pack a bowl of moon rocks into a pipe or a water piece to ensure you lose as little kief as possible
• Use hemp wick to light your moon rocks

Don’t:

• Try to roll it up into a moon rock joint or a moon rock blunt
• Put moon rocks in your grinder
• Pack a bowl of moon rock weed too tightly

What are the effects?

Moon rocks are potent. People who’ve indulged describe big, full, fragrant smoke clouds and a rich and pleasant taste of kief. THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and is mainly responsible for producing the “high.” Given that moon rocks contain considerably higher levels of THC, the effects are more pronounced than what you experience from run-of-the-mill cannabis products. The severity of the effects depends on a few things, including the strain used and your tolerance. Someone who’s not used to high THC cannabis tends to have more intense effects. Using large amounts also increases the intensity of the effects.

Here are some of the common effects of moon rocks:

• dizziness
• increased heart rate
• anxiety
• paranoia
• sleepiness
• headaches
• dry mouth
• impaired memory
• dry, red eyes
• cough or other respiratory issues
• extreme hunger, aka the munchies

Safety tips

Moon rocks are pretty strong, to say the least. If you’re going to give them a try, it’s important to consider some things. These potent nuggets are sure to mess with your brain and energy levels, which can make getting things done impossible. It’s best to clear your schedule or do it when you’ve got a big chunk of free time.

Here are some general safety tips for using moon rocks:

• Eat. Eat first, not just to keep the eventual munchies in check, but to also lessen the effects of high-THC weed and prevent nausea.
• Hydrate. Have lots of water on hand and stay hydrated before, during, and after smoking, as dry mouth is pretty much a given.
• Consider your surroundings. Choose a safe place where you can just sit and chill without any responsibilities.
• Go slow. Start slow — like, really slow. This is especially important if you’re new to moon rocks or high-THC strains, as it can help minimize the intensity of the effects. Try to wait at least several minutes between each inhale.

The bottom line

Cannabis moon rocks are particularly potent, even for a seasoned cannabis user. You’ll definitely want to proceed with caution, especially if you’re new to the whole cannabis thing. If you live in a state that’s legalized cannabis (in some form or fashion), visit a dispensary or shop and talk to a trained staff member. They can tell you more about the moon rocks they carry and how strong they are.