Cannabis Classics: What is Hashish?

Hashish — or hash — is one of the most long-standing cannabis products on the market today. But, what is hashish? Is it legal?

As a cannabis classic, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of this unique, potent product. So, let’s dive right into the world of hashish. 

What is Hashish (or Hash)?

So, what is hash? What is hashish? First off, there’s no difference between both.

Hashish, also known as hash, is a concentrated cannabis product produced by extracting, compressing, and processing stalked resin glands – from trichomes – of cannabis plants.

The result is a slightly hard ball or block of dark or light brown cannabis concentrate that can be used in incense or smoked in a pipe, joint, or bong.

The key thing to note when “what is hashish” or “what is hash” comes to your mind is that resin is the core essence of a good hash. Hence, it is made from the most resinous parts of the cannabis plant, usually trichomes. However, some individuals may extract hash from other plant parts.

Hashish Effects

Hash is a very potent form of cannabis concentrate, so you can be sure to expect hashish effects that are beneficial or adverse. Whether you’re eating or smoking hash, the effects usually kick in within 30 minutes of consumption.

Some arguably good hashish effects include:

• • A deep sense of relaxation
  • Euphoria
  • Increased appetite
  • Pain relief

Other hashish effects include:

• • Bloodshot eyes
  • Change in perception and sensitivity
  • Dry throat and mouth
  • Reduced motor skills

In extreme cases, it can result in severe anxiety or paranoia.

The History of Hashish

The history of hashish is one of a drug that flourished across the globe, once gaining near-legitimate recognition as it spread and influenced cultures along its path.

It was once likened to opium, and just as the 18^th and 19^th centuries saw a rise of opium parlors in S.E. Asia, North America, and some parts of Europe, there were once similar setups for hash consumption in Asia and the Middle East.

Still, the origin of hashish is not an easy one to pinpoint.

Although most historians and scholars link the origin of hash to Arabs, some others, including Frenchy Cannoli, trace its history to thereabouts 9000 BCE, when Indians used woven sieves to separate extract resin from the rest of cannabis plants.

Before then, they used their hands to gently rub live marijuana plants to extract resin.

The hand-extracted resin is called charas and is still in production in some parts of India. 

Some people who want to learn how to make hashish the ancient way still go all the way to India to learn this method.

However, those in the Middle East and North Africa, specifically, have numerous mentions of hashish throughout their ancient documentation. 

So, it’s easy to ascribe the origin to these regions.

Scholars who are on the Indian side of the argument maintain that charas were man’s original attempt at making hash. 

And it wasn’t until woven sieve became a thing that the modern way of making hash established its roots.

Today, Frenchy Cannoli and some other hashish masters use an ice-water sieving methodology to extract hash.

Hashish vs. Weed

Hashish and weed are both from cannabis plants. 

Weed usually comprises dried leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers of cannabis sativa, while hashish is made up of cannabis resin extracted from trichomes.

Hashish is also the basis for the numerous hashish oils we have in the market today. We’ll address what is hashish oil in a bit.

Nicknames for hash include keef, boom, dab, kef, or gangster. On the other hand, there are numerous names for weed, including but not limited to grass, dope, reefer, pot, Mary Jane, ganja, jolly green, and herb.

Generally, hashish is far more potent than weed as it is concentrated. 

Hashish could have THC levels up to 60%. Meanwhile, the weed strain with the highest THC levels only reach as high as 30-39%.

What is Hashish Oil, and Is It Illegal?

What is hashish oil? Well, hash oil is similar to hash. 

The main difference is that hashish is extracted using an ice-water sieving method, while hash oil is extracted using solvents, usually butane or propane, in a closed-loop extraction system.

Hash oils are generally referred to as concentrates, and some examples include:

• • Budder
  • Butane hash oil
  • Crystalline
  • Distillate
  • Shatter
  • Wax

What is hashish oil’s THC level? On average, the THC level of most of these concentrates ranges from 60 to 90%. 

Budder, distillate, and crystalline could have up to 99% THC levels.

Is hash oil illegal? Hash oil is illegal at the federal level but legal in some weed-legal states. 

Some weed-legal states restrict the sales of certain hash oils in their territory, sometimes reserving hash oil for medicinal purposes.

How to Make Hashish

Unlike hashish oil, which is often dangerous to make due to the use of highly flammable butane and propane during production, hashish is pretty easy to make at home.

There are various ways to make hash, such as dry sift hash or finger hash.

Here, we’ll elaborate on the more popular technique on how to make hashish. That is, bubble hash using the ice-water sieve method. 

For a more practical tutorial on this method, please check out Frenchy’s video on how to make hashish.

Materials for Making Hash

In order to properly make hashish, you have to ensure you have the right materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

• • Cannabis flower
  • Hash bags, bubble bags, filter bags, or bubba bags. (45 micron, 160 micron, and 190 micron, preferably).
  • Plastic buckets
  • Wooden spatula or spoon
  • 25-micron filter square
  • Absorbent towel
  • Wire rack and parchment paper
  • Water hose

Making Hashish at Home

Wondering how to make hashish at home? We’ve got you covered.

Here are some quick steps to follow:

1. 1. Put your hash bag over a bucket
   2. Fill one-third of the bag with ice, add your flower, add some more ice, and then fill the rest of the bag with cold water. Allow to settle for about 30 minutes to ensure the trichomes easily separate from the flower.
   3. Use your spatula to stir the mixture vigorously for about 5 minutes without mashing the plant materials.
   4. Allow the trichomes 10 minutes to settle.
   5. Now settled, lift your hash bag out of the bucket, allowing the water to filter out. Then place the bag in a second bucket.
   6. Place the filter bags in a third bucket, starting with 45-micron bag at the bottom and the 190-micron containing the plant materials.
   7. Use a water hose to splash the plant materials, force-filtering the hash from one bag to the next.
   8. Raise the filter and gently squeeze until you have removed the water. If you’re not sure the water is completely removed, use your absorbent towel to squeeze it some more.
   9. Use a butter knife (a card would do) to scrape the hash from the filter. Set aside the collected hash on a 25-micron woven filter to dry.
   10. Repeat the process with other filter bags in the bucket, and set aside the collected hash on the 25-micron filter square.
   11. For more yield, you can repeat the process again starting from Step #2
   12. Place your hash on a wire rack with parchment paper underneath and leave in a very clean, dust-free space to dry for about 3 days.

You can now enjoy your hash by vaping it, smoking it with a pipe or bong, or using a little bit to top up your medical marijuana and smoke in a joint.

Get the Best Hashish With Your Medical Marijuana Card

The best and most pure hashish you’ll ever find are top-shelf in some MMJ dispensaries. With your medical marijuana card, you can access, purchase, and use hashish in all weed-legal states.

Don’t have a medical marijuana card? No worries! We can help you complete your medical marijuana card process in the next thirty minutes.

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