Imperial Shake
An undocumented strain name with no verified breeder, genetics, or published lab data.
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Imperial Shake appears in some online strain listings and dispensaries, but no breeder has published a verified pedigree, no lab database has registered it, and no chemotype studies confirm it. The name itself conflates 'Imperial' (a premium marker) with 'Shake' (a retail product grade for small flower pieces). If you see it for sale, ask for a batch certificate of analysis and the breeder's name—if neither exists, you're looking at a rebranded or unverified clone.
What we could verify
Imperial Shake appears occasionally in cannabis marketplaces, social media strain lists, and some dispensary inventories, but no breeder, seed bank, or cannabis genetics database has published a verified pedigree, lab report, or documented cultivation record under this name No data. No state testing program, certificate of analysis aggregator, or peer-reviewed chemotype study has registered it either.
When a strain name has no paper trail—no breeder website, no seed vendor listing, no independent grow log, and no batch test results—claims about its chemistry, effects, or genetics cannot be verified and should not be treated as established facts.
What the name suggests—and why that is not evidence
The term shake in cannabis retail refers to small, loose bits of flower that break off larger buds during handling and sale—typically sold at a discount as a product grade, not a strain name [1]. Using 'Shake' as part of a cultivar name is unusual and can create confusion between a product format and a distinct genetic.
'Imperial' is a common marketing prefix in cannabis naming, suggesting premium quality, but marketing language does not establish genetics. Some vendor descriptions guess at OG Kush-family heritage based on the name alone, but a name is not a pedigree. Independent genotyping projects have repeatedly shown that samples sold under identical strain names can be genetically distinct, and samples with different names can be nearly identical Strong evidence. Until someone produces a documented cross, seed release, and independent genetic verification, the lineage of Imperial Shake remains unknown.
What to check if you see it for sale
If a dispensary or vendor labels a product 'Imperial Shake,' ask for:
- A batch-specific certificate of analysis (COA). This should show cannabinoid and terpene data from an accredited lab, along with batch ID, test date, and lab name. COAs are legally required in regulated markets; the absence of one is a red flag.
- The breeder or seed company name. A legitimate strain comes with a documented source. If the vendor cannot name one, the product is either a re-cut clone with no documented genetics or a rebranded material without verifiable provenance.
- The price and product grade. If 'Imperial Shake' is priced significantly below whole-flower buds (e.g., $5–8 per gram versus $12–15), you are likely buying shake as a product grade—loose trim or small nugs—rather than a named cultivar. That is a legitimate, cheaper option, but it is graded flower, not a strain.
- Lab chemotype consistency. Even well-known strains show wide chemotype variation between batches. For an unverified name, variation is greater. THC, CBD, and terpene numbers on a shelf label reflect that batch alone, not the strain as a whole [2] [3] Strong evidence.
Similar documented strains
If you are looking for documented cultivars with comparable names or heritage, consider:
- Mind Shake — another undocumented strain name
- Astro Shake — similarly unverified
- Atomic Shake — undocumented
- Purple Shake — another unverified cultivar
- Tornado Shake — no verified breeder record
- Imperial Cake — related 'Imperial' name, also undocumented
- Imperial Twist — another Imperial-series name without verified genetics
Well-documented strains in seed banks and databases offer verifiable parentage, published grow reports, and batch test histories. If Imperial Shake has no such record, it may be a local clone, a re-cut, or a name applied inconsistently across multiple unrelated plants.
Frequently asked questions
Is Imperial Shake indica or sativa?
No verified information exists. Strain name does not reliably predict effects or chemotype anyway—see The Indica/Sativa Myth.
What is the THC level?
Unknown. Any THC percentage you see attached to this name reflects that specific batch's lab test, not the strain as a whole. For an undocumented cultivar, batch variation is high. Ask for the certificate of analysis.
How long does it flower?
Not documented. If you have seeds or a clone labeled Imperial Shake, a standard 8–10 week flowering window is a safe starting point, but the actual timing depends on growing conditions and the plant's actual genetics.
Who bred Imperial Shake?
No breeder has publicly claimed it. If a vendor or budtender makes a confident claim about a breeder, ask them for the source—website, seed bank listing, or grow record. If they cannot provide one, neither can we.
Flag an error
If you have a breeder record, lab report, seed bank listing, or documented grow log for Imperial Shake, send it to us. Verified records are the only way to move this page from 'undocumented' to 'known.'
Sources
- Reported Leafly Staff. What is shake weed? Leafly cannabis glossary entry.
- Peer-reviewed Aizpurua-Olaizola O, et al. (2016). Evolution of the cannabinoid and terpene content during the growth of Cannabis sativa plants from different chemotypes. Journal of Natural Products, 79(2), 324–331.
- Peer-reviewed Jikomes N, Zoorob M. (2018). The cannabinoid content of legal cannabis in Washington state varies systematically across testing facilities and popular consumer products. Scientific Reports, 8, 4519.
- Peer-reviewed Smith CJ, et al. (2022). The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0267498.
- Peer-reviewed Sawler J, et al. (2015). The genetic structure of marijuana and hemp. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0133292.
How this page was made
Generation history
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Related
- Astro Shake — A branded product category, not a documented cannabis strain or cultivar.
- Atomic Shake — A strain name with limited verifiable documentation; here's what to know.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Lab-issued document reporting cannabinoid potency and contaminant screening for a specific...
- Imperial Cake — A name without documented origin, lineage, or breeder—what to check before buying.
- Mind Shake — An undocumented strain name with no verified breeder or central genetics record.
- Purple Shake — An undocumented name circulating in cannabis retail with no verifiable breeder or chemotyp...