Cannabis Science

What is Hash Weed?

person using a vape

Weed is consumed in a variety of forms and ways. For example, you can use weed by smoking it, vaping, eating via edibles or rubbing it on your skin. In addition to that, weed products have various levels of concentration of THC. For example, hemp, legally, is supposed to have less than 0.3% THC. On the other hand, more concentrated forms of cannabis such as hash weed or hashish can have up to 60% THC. Curious about hash weed? Here’s what you need to know about it. 

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What is Weed Hash?

Weed hash, more commonly referred to as hash or simply hashish, is a concentrated and potent form of marijuana. Weed hash typically exists in two forms, solid dark brown or waxy substance or as oil known as hashish oil or hash oil. Very Well Mind says hash oil can have anywhere from 15% to 60% THC concentration. It’s regarded as the strongest form of marijuana. As a matter of fact, hash oil can have up to 90% THC in some cases. 

You may be wondering, what makes it so potent?

According to Drugs.com, hash is so potent because it’s produced by compressing trichomes. Trichomes are really small hair-like structures that contain cannabinoids and produce a sticky resin. 

Drugs.com also highlighted the various ways in which people consume hashish. You can:

  • Smoke in a pipe or bong
  • Dabbed using a tool or vape pen
  • Add it to food and create an edible
  • Brew it in a tea
  • Roll into a blunt and combine with tobacco and regular marijuana. 

When you smoke hash oil, for example, you can start feeling the effects in minutes. Very Well Mind also says the effects will peak in about half an hour. On the other hand, if you have an edible, it will take about 20 minutes for you to feel the effects. 

What is the Difference Between Hash and Weed?

The primary difference between hash and weed is that it is made from trichomes and what’s referred to as weed is the cannabis flowers. 

Another difference between hash and weed is the concentration of THC. Drugs.com says, “Hashish contains essentially the same active ingredients found in marijuana, except in more concentrated THC form.”

It’s still important to note that concentration varies for both hashish, hash oil, and weed. 

Is Hash Weed Safe?

Since hash is super concentrated, you may be wondering if it’s safe to consume. Drugs.com admits that effects of long-term use of hashish and other weed concentrates are not fully known. However, they do caution people based on what long-term use of the marijuana plant may cause. For example, if you choose to smoke hash, you may experience respiratory problems or heart issues. 

While it’s unlikely you’ll overdose on weed, if you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to take it very slow. If you take too much, you may feel overwhelmed since you’re not used to such an intense high.

On the other hand, as Healthline reports, hash oil can have therapeutic effects. Healthline says, “ it may provide greater symptom relief for people who use marijuana to treat medical conditions, such as chronic pain or cancer.” In addition to that, people may use hash oil for inflammation and nausea. One way it can be effective is through the euphoria it provides. That can help to make symptoms more manageable. 

However, if you’re pregnant, hash oil or hashish is not a safe treatment for morning sickness. It’s generally recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding people don’t use weed.

Is Hashish Legal in the US?

Weed isn’t legal in all 50 states. Therefore, hashish is more than likely legal in states that have approved ‘adult use’ marijuana.  Some states have legalized only low THC marijuana. Naturally, hash weed wouldn’t fall in that category. You can check out this Forbes article for information about your state. 

How to Make Hashish

Curious how to make hashish? The Cannabis Experts YouTube Channel gives you a step by step guide:

How to Make HASH!

  1. Freeze a cannabis plant after you’re removed the buds. 
  2. Add blocks of dry ice along with the cannabis to a micron bag/bubble bag/bubba bag.
  3. Shake the bag over a flat surface in order to catch the trichomes falling from the bag.

Another way to extract trichomes according to the Cannabis Experts is:

  1. Freeze your cannabis plant.
  2. Remove your cannabis plant from the freezer and place it on top of a fine mesh screen. Make sure it’s over a flat surface. 
  3. Gently rubbed and spread over the fine mesh screen so that the trichomes can fall into the flat surface under it for collection. Don’t do this for too long because the cannabis plant will start to break down and then fall onto the flat surface with the trichomes. That will cause the purity of your hash to be affected.

What you have just created is kief. To find out the details of making hash from kief, check out our handy guide.

Basically what happens next is that the kief is compressed and a block of hash emerges. 

Conclusion

What is hash weed? Hash weed, hashish, or simply hash, is a concentrated form of weed made from the trichomes of cannabis. Even though the concentration varies, it typically has more than 15% THC and can have up to 90% if you count hash oil (and we do). It may not be beginner-friendly but there are some medicinal benefits. In addition to that, you can make it on your own. 

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About Trevann

Trevann is Stoner Rotation’s Jamaica-based lead writer for the Science section of our cannabis blog. She graduated with honors receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of West Indies, Mona. For the last three years, she has covered some of the biggest questions around cannabis and health underpinned with research from supporting studies, medical journals and scholarly articles. Got something on your mind? You can reach her at [email protected].