Marijuana Moon Rocks: What Are They? - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeWhat Are Marijuana Moon Rocks?

Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on January 28, 2026

Process
Strength
Consumption
Effects
Onset
Risks
Safety tips
Legal status
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Marijuana moon rocks are extra-strong cannabis nuggets made by coating flower in hash oil, then rolling it in kief.
Potency varies by ingredients and how they’re made, but moon rocks often reach about 50% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), far higher than typical dispensary strains.
Moon rocks are usually smoked in a pipe or bong because they’re dense and greasy. Effects of smoking moon rocks can include anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, and a long-lasting high.

Marijuana moon rocks are basically the “champagne” of the pot world. Some people even call them cannabis caviar.

They’re made up of different pot 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 marijuana and dipping it in or spraying it with concentrate, or hash oil.

They’re usually made with Girl Scout Cookies (the weed 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 they?

It varies from batch to batch. The potency depends on how it’s made, who’s making it, and the ingredients used.

Moon rocks typically hover around 50 percent THC, according to Leafly. To help put that into perspective, popular strains found in dispensaries typically range from 17 to 28 percent THC.

How are they consumed?

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.

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 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 depend 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

How long do they take to kick in?

They produce a slow burn with some immediate effects that really kick into high gear about 30 minutes in.

Based on people’s reviews, you can expect your buzz to linger for several hours or even into the next day if you’re new to moon rocks or high-THC strains.

Are there any risks?

Yes, there are mental and physical risks.

High THC risks

Researchers don’t yet know the full impact of high-THC marijuana on the body or brain. Higher THC levels increase your risk for a harmful reaction, especially if you’re new to marijuana.

Higher THC levels may also increase your risk for addiction when you regularly use high doses.

While the risks of high-THC marijuana are still being investigated, marijuana in any concentration has some risks.

General marijuana risks

Marijuana smoke — including secondhand smoke — contains most of the same toxins and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. It irritates the lungs and can cause a chronic cough with increased phlegm production.

Marijuana smoke also raises your risk for lung infections and may increase the risk of lung cancer.

Your lungs aren’t the only part of your body at risk. Marijuana raises your heart rate for up to 3 hours after you smoke it, which may increase your chance of a heart attack, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

It also weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off germs.

If you’re pregnant, using marijuana may increase your risk for several birth complications.

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.

Healthline does not endorse the use of any illegal substances, and we recognize abstaining from them is always the safest approach. However, we believe in providing accessible and accurate information to reduce the harm that can occur when using. If you or someone you know might be struggling with substance use, we recommend learning more and consulting a professional to get additional support.

A note about legality

Cannabis isn’t legal everywhere, though many states have legalized it for medical use, recreational purposes, or both. It’s best not to take a chance and know the laws in your state.

If you live outside of the United States, you may be subject to different laws.

The bottom line

Marijuana 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, visit a dispensary and talk to a trained staff member. They can tell you more about the moon rocks they carry and how strong they are.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Di Forti M, et al. (2019). The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): A multicentre case-control study. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30048-3
Drug facts: What is marijuana? (2019).https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
Management of substance abuse: Cannabis. (n.d.).https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/facts/cannabis/en/
Marijuana and lung health. (2019).https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/marijuana-and-lung-health.html
A rise in marijuana’s THC levels. (n.d.).https://archives.drugabuse.gov/rise-in-marijuanas-thc-levels
Stuyt E. (2018). The problem with the current high potency THC marijuana from the perspective of an addiction psychiatrist.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6312155/
What are marijuana’s effects on general physical health? (n.d.).https://archives.drugabuse.gov/what-are-marijuanas-effects-general-physical-health

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Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on January 28, 2026

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