Cannabis Basics

What Is Kief?

Kief, also known as sift, dry sift or dry sieve, is a type of cannabis concentrate that is produced by mechanically separating the trichomes from the dried cannabis flower. It can be smoked, vaped or used in edible cannabis products.

Last updated December 30, 2025 | Published on February 8, 2021

Kief: What It Is and How It’s Consumed

Kief, which also goes by the terms sift, dry sift or dry sieve, is a powder made up of the sticky crystal-like substance at the head of the trichomes — the mushroom-shaped glands that secrete resin, where terpenes and cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are produced — which are attached to cannabis flowers and leaves. The substance has a high concentration of cannabinoids. Kief can also be further processed into hash or rosin.

Dull brown, yellow or green in colour, the powder is collected using a mechanical sifting process, so no solvents are required. It’s a bit tricky to separate the tiny particles, but if you’re patient, you can make your own kief by sifting dried cannabis flower through a series of increasingly smaller screens. A four-piece grinder with a screen and an extra bottom chamber can also do the job.

How is kief made?

Generally, kief can be smoked or vaped. While the right dosage depends on many variables, try beginning with a pinch, or less than the size of a dime. As always, Health Canada suggests starting with a low dose and going slowly to lower the health risks and the risks of over consumption.

Descriptive Video: Kief: What It Is and How It’s Consumed Vaporizer

Joints

When rolling a joint, you can sprinkle kief overtop of the dried cannabis flower or coat a completed joint in hash oil and roll it in the powder (often referred to as a “twaxed joint”).

Pipes or bongs

Kief can also be added to a pipe or bong alongside dried flower (also called “crowning a bowl”) by packing the bottom of the bowl with dried flower and then sprinkling a layer of kief on top. Repeat the process until the bowl is full. (Ensure the bowl has a screen to avoid sucking any tiny particles into your mouth.)

Vaping kief

For vaping, kief can be used in a concentrate-specific vaporizer or a dried flower vaporizer that has a concentrate attachment. Layer the kief and dried flower, ensuring the kief is not placed on the bottom, as it could melt and leave residue.

Can kief be used to make edibles?

Kief can be added to just about any kind of homemade edible cannabis product, but it must be heated (a process called decarboxylation, or decarbing) to activate the cannabinoids. Kief can also be infused in butter or oil for use in different edible recipes.

How to store kief

Kief should be stored much like dried cannabis flower, but with a bit of extra care because of its fine texture and high concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes. Good practices for storing kief include:

Use an airtight container, ideally glass with a sealable lid, to limit exposure to air and prevent oxidation.
Store the container in a cool, dark, dry place (e.g. a cupboard or drawer), away from light, heat, and humidity.
When handling kief, use a clean tool (spoon or small scoop) rather than fingers, to avoid introducing oils or moisture from your hands.