Millions of Americans use cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes, and the cannabis plant contains several cannabinoids that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce psychoactive effects. Hashish, more commonly known as hash, is a concentrated form of cannabis that has been around for centuries, originally used in the Middle East and parts of Asia.
Hash is made by collecting the trichomes of the cannabis plant, resulting in a potent product with higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids than regular flower. This concentration leads to more intense effects, which can include relaxation, euphoria, altered perception, and increased appetite.
However, the strength of hash also raises the potential for adverse effects such as anxiety, impaired coordination, and memory issues, making it important to use it cautiously. Read on to learn more about hash, its legal status, and the risks of using it.
What is Hash?
Hashish, or hash, is believed to have originated in the Middle East and Central Asia, with the first known records of its consumption dating back to around the 9th and 10th centuries in Persia.
Hash was historically used not only for psychoactive effects but also as an incense and in rituals. Hashish’s use expanded over centuries into the Middle East, parts of Asia, and later Europe.
The exact number of hash users is unknown, but millions of Americans use cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, and hash is a recognized concentrated form of cannabis.
Hash is made by collecting the sticky trichomes that cover the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant and contain high levels of THC (the chemical component in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects).
After production, it often looks like a sticky, dark resin ranging from dark brown to dark green. The potency of the hash oil is similar to that of one marijuana joint, with strong psychotropic effects on users [1].
Common Names for Hash
The Arabic translation of hash is “grass”, and in some online communities it is represented by the hashtag # symbol. Other street names for hash might include:
- Hasheesh
- Shish
- Dab or dabs
- Hemp
- Keef
How Is Hash Used?
Hash is most commonly consumed through smoking, often mixed with cannabis flower or tobacco to improve burning, as pure hashish burns poorly on its own. Users roll it into joints or blunts, or pack it into pipes or bongs.
Dabbing has gained popularity, where hash is heated using a “dabbing rig” (a specialized form of a pipe for hash or dabbing) to vaporize and inhale the potent concentrate, delivering rapid effects due to its high THC content.
For non-inhalation methods, hash can be eaten as edibles after being infused into butter for brownies or chocolates, though the onset takes 1-2 hours and effects last longer. Raw consumption (eating hash), lacks psychoactivity and often has an unpleasant taste.
Is Hash Legal?
Hash, or hashish, remains illegal under U.S. federal law as a Schedule I controlled substance, the same as cannabis’s status. In some states, such as Texas, possession or manufacture of any amount of hash and its concentrates constitutes a felony.
What Are Possible Health Effects of Hash Use?
The short-term effects of hash use are often similar to cannabis, such as problems with memory and learning, distorted sensory perception, difficulty problem-solving, loss of coordination, and increased heart rate. The effects may be more intense due to the high concentration of THC found in hash and other concentrates.
THC in marijuana is absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of it can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. In heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana or its concentrates.
Hash vs Cannabis
Although hash and cannabis come from the same plant, they are extracted differently, and their chemical structures differ slightly. While the resin of the cannabis plants produces hash, cannabis is composed of dried leaves or flowers [2].
| Feature | Hash | Cannabis |
| Source | Comes from the concentrated resin (trichomes) of cannabis flowers | Uses the dried flowers, leaves, and stems |
| Potency | 20% to 60%THC levels | 5% to 30% THC levels |
| Production | Separating and compressing trichomes via methods like dry sifting, ice water (bubble hash), or pressing | Cannabis plant goes through a drying process |
| Consumption | Uses smaller amounts, often mixed with tobacco, dabbed, or vaped | Typically smoked in joints, pipes, or vaped in larger quantities |
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Sources
[1] Leafly. 2024. Hash: What is it and how to make it.
[2] Government of the Netherlands. What is the difference between cannabis, weed, hemp, and hash?
