Brick Weed: The Nostalgia of Compressed Cannabis

A person holding two bricks of cannabis in his hands

Brick weed was huge in the 60s and 70s, but seemed to have lost its appeal through the decades. But the million-dollar question on every young cannabis consumer’s mind: How is it different from the products in today’s market?

“OG” smokers know exactly what we’re talking about, and this article may induce some feelings of nostalgia. But let’s begin by getting into what brick weed actually is.

What is brick weed?

You don’t need much deciphering as you can get a good enough idea from the name itself. Simply put, it is compressed weed that’s been shaped into a brick or block.

Back then, sellers followed this practise to make transport to the United States and Europe easier and less detectable. This was obviously during a time when marijuana prohibition was at its peak, and people had to skirt around international laws.

A brick of cannabis, a grinder and two joints on a table

Central and South America and Asia are the usual sources, specifically Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand. However, Mexican brick weed reigned supreme, thanks to the cartels and their mass production efforts. It became the predominant product in the United States in the mid-20th century.

How much did brick weed weigh?

Typically, you could get them for 500 grams to a kilo, but you usually get nearly a full ounce (around 25 grams) if you buy it from South America.

Hashish (simply known as hash) also came in brick-like forms. They looked more like chocolate blocks with rounded edges that usually weighed 250 grams per bar.

How did people buy brick weed back in the day?

A piece of brick cannabis and cannabis on paper ready to be rolled in a joint

Brick weed saw its peak in the 1970s and 80s when the cannabis black market was thriving. That meant having deep street connections if you wanted to score some. It helped to get in touch with someone you knew personally to avoid shady dealers that may only lead to potential trouble and lower-quality products.

Prices vary depending on your source. However, according to consumers who purchased brick weed in the 1960s and 1970s, an ounce (28 grams) would cost an average of $60 (about €55). If you bought from an Ivy League campus, you could get it between $8 and $25 per ounce.

How is brick weed made?

Given the lack of knowledge and technology that growers have today, making brick weed was primitive yet straightforward.

Upon harvest, cultivators would pile entire stalks and branches onto large canvas sheets for sun drying. Unlike most products you’ll find in coffeeshops and dispensaries, they don’t undergo the usual curing and trimming process.

After the branches have dried enough, growers tear off the buds and shake off the larger leaves. However, this process leads to the loss of the precious trichomes and, potentially, some of the plant’s potency.

The final step involves loading the plant into a hydraulic press for compression. On average, an entire block of compressed weed can weigh more than 1,700 ounces (48 kg). It would then be divided into smaller bricks for distribution and selling.

Is brick weed good?

A piece of brick cannabis, a grinder, a lighter and a spool of thread

Assuming you came of age in the era of legalisation and dispensary-grade weed, you’re probably curious if you missed out on the heyday of brick weed. But most people who lived through that primitive age of cannabis cultivation will likely tell you that you didn’t.

Reading about its process alone tells you a lot about its quality. The smashing severely damages the plant, as it loses more of its trichomes during every pressing. The trapped moisture also causes some of its parts to rot and emit an odour that resembles ammonia.

Due to the lack of proper drying and curing, brick weed’s texture becomes crumbly. And because of the vigorous shaking to separate and eliminate the fan leaves, you’re usually left with sugar leaves. While you can smoke them, they are typically harsh on the throat and less flavourful. Combined with the smell, it becomes an unpleasant experience overall.

As for its effects, brick weed isn’t as versatile as most present-day strains. It is mainly known for its sedating stoned effect, much like indica’s reputation. While some people may prefer it, the one-sided trait makes it generally unappealing.

Is there a demand for brick weed today?

There has been a sharp decline compared to past decades, which began around the 1990s. For one, technology and current best practices have allowed people to grow better-quality weed at home.

A person holding a brick of cannabis and a jar in the background

Then, there is legalisation. As the world softened its stance on recreational cannabis use, many countries began regulating its distribution. That led to scientific research, appreciation of different cannabinoids and terpenes, and the cultivation of new strains. Top-notch products distributed in various forms eventually followed, such as oils, tinctures, and topicals.

But that doesn’t mean that brick weed is entirely extinct. According to reports, there remains a demand for black-market marijuana to skirt the red tape involved in the legalisation process. And if we’re talking about bootleg pot, there’s a good chance that a buyer may encounter good old Mexican brick weed in circulation.

Can you use brick weed?

Despite its bad rap, you can put brick weed to good use, believe it or not. So, instead of throwing it away, here are three quick fixes you can try.

1. Wash it down

Of course, you would want to eliminate some dirt accumulation. One way to do this is to wash it down, which takes a few simple steps.

Take your brick weed and place it in a bowl. Next, pour warm water over the plant material until it is submerged. Stir it until it has loosened. After a short while, you’ll notice the water turning darker.

Finally, sift the weed using a strainer and place it over a few dry paper towels. Pat it down to remove excess water. The drying process may take up to three days, so constantly change paper towels.

Putting it under the sun isn’t advisable because it can dry up too much. Instead, place it in a cool, well-ventilated place, preferably somewhere shaded. And remember, don’t skimp on the drying process because doing so may lead to mould development.

Regarding moulds, look closely at your herb stash to see if they have any. Throw it out immediately once you spot the slightest hint of fungi development. It is not worth putting your health at risk.

2. Rehydrate it using citrus

Citrus is a known effective ingredient to revive poor-quality cannabis like brick weed. Like the previous item, this method requires simple steps.

Begin by breaking up the plant material into small pieces using scissors or your hands. Next, place it in a glass jar with a citrus peel of your choice. Seal the jar with the lid and leave it for up to 24 hours. However, you must open it every six hours to remove excess moisture.

This process allows the weed to absorb enough moisture and terpenes from the citrus, providing much-needed rejuvenation. The next day, you should have better-quality weed to smoke.

3. Steam it

Steaming is another way to revive brick weed via rehydration. If you’re dealing with a small amount of around a gram, break it down until the pieces are separated and place them inside a sock or folded cloth.

Next, steam it over a boiling kettle for up to 45 seconds. Once done, place it over a paper towel and let it dry for up to six hours.

If you have a bigger stash, like a full ounce, breaking it into quartered chunks is essential for easier drying. Steaming may take slightly longer, around 90 seconds at the maximum. Finally, leave it on a dry cloth overnight before lighting up.

The dos and don’ts of handling brick weed

An African-American woman holding a lighter and a joint, lighting a joint

Since brick weed is a known inferior product, specific handling, and smoking methods may be necessary. Here are some of them.

1. Don’t reuse the roaches

It can be tempting to smoke old roaches, especially if you’re low on supply. However, keep in mind that you’re already dealing with poor-quality weed. Recycling remnants from a pre-combusted joint only worsens the experience, and that’s a disservice to yourself.

2. Use a bong in place of a pipe or joint

As mentioned in an earlier section, brick weed’s quality makes smoking it harsher on the throat. Save yourself from this unpleasant situation by using a bong instead. The water in its chamber minimises the dry heat, which can improve the overall experience.

3. Store it properly

Proper storage methods are necessary for dealing with a new or revived batch of brick weed. The same practices apply here: use tightly sealed glass containers and store them in a cool, dry place. This slows the process of going bad and prevents mould development.

Brick weed FAQs

You can say brick weed is a thing of the past, which means young people may have many other lingering questions. This section attempts to provide sensible answers to some of them.

Brick cannabis surrounded with cannabis leaves on a wooden surface
Does brick weed have the same potential benefits?

Marijuana’s primary cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, are often found in the trichomes. However, since most of them are lost due to the lack of proper handling, the potential therapeutic benefits are significantly diminished. It may still get you a buzz, but that’s as far as it goes.

How much THC is present in brick weed?

Since brick weed was not regulated during its peak popularity, the exact figures of its THC content cannot be determined. What we know is that it is much less potent compared to today’s standards.
We’re looking at an average of 5 to 10% THC, the maximum being top-shelf products. It pales compared to the 15 to 30% in the current market.

Is all brick weed bad?

The short answer is no. While the general cultivation practices for brick weed don’t produce a good end product, some growers do it better than most. They could be using higher-quality source materials and employing more careful handling methods, which may result in slightly superior goods.
It’s also worth noting that not everyone has the luxury to access legal cannabis. If brick weed is all you can get, you can still make the best out of a less favourable situation.

Dealing with brick weed in current times

Brick cannabis on a white surface

Brick weed may not be the popular choice in this day and age, but it still pays to know what it’s all about. And if you do find yourself with a batch, you’re now equipped with the information to enjoy it.

What about you? Have you encountered some old-school brick weed recently? Let us know in the comments!

  • Disclaimer:
    Laws and regulations regarding cannabis use differ from country to country. Sensi Seeds therefore strongly advises you to check your local laws and regulations. Do not act in conflict with the law.

Comments

1 thought on “Brick Weed: The Nostalgia of Compressed Cannabis”

  1. I think I left out a sentence? It was meant to say store the unused part of the brick in the back of the refrigerator to maintain freshness, then when ready for more just break another piece off , in green wrapper in the past I’ve SEEN 35, twenty eight gram bags come out of a single brick

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    Sensi Seeds

    The Sensi Seeds Editorial team has been built throughout our more than 30 years of existence. Our writers and editors include botanists, medical and legal experts as well as renown activists the world over including Lester Grinspoon, Micha Knodt, Robert Connell Clarke, Maurice Veldman, Sebastian Maríncolo, James Burton and Seshata.
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