Hasish And Marijuana - What is the difference?
Essentially, marijuana and hash come from the same cannabis Sativa and Indica plants.
Like marijuana, hash has a long history of usage.
And although it’s consumption is not as popular as marijuana’s, it’s now rising in popularity thanks to the changing laws.
Hashish and marijuana possess a lot of similarities.
But while the majority of people use the two terms interchangeably, the two products vary significantly, and they deliver different effects.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), hash is the most potent and concentrated form of cannabis.
On the flip side, marijuana is relatively less potent.
It consists of harvested plant material (cannabis flower/bud) that is dried and then cured for use in different ways like smoking, cooking, vaporizing, and more.
This article explains the similarities and differences between hash or hashish and marijuana.
What Is Hash And How Is It Made?
Hash is also commonly referred to as hashish. Contrary to popular belief, the use of hashish is not something new.
This extremely potent form of cannabis contains very high THC levels.
And it has been consumed for centuries now in different parts of the world. In fact, hashish is so old that it predates written text!
It is generally regarded as the original concentrate from ancient times.
In the past, mainly in India, enthusiasts of this old-school cannabis extract would rub resinous cannabis buds in their hands until all the trichomes formed a thick layer.
They would then scrape it off and roll it into a ball known as charas to either smoke or add to food.
Fast forward a few thousand years later, and hash enthusiasts have developed better methods to compress and process the resin of the cannabis plant.
There are numerous forms of hash, from BHO, rosin, and bubble hash.
They are all made by separating the resin from buds and compressing them into balls or other unique shapes like blocks.
In Afghanistan and Morocco, traditional forms of hash are made by running perfectly dried cannabis flowers through sieves to separate trichomes from the plant material.
The end product, referred to as kief, is then heated and pressed to produce a highly potent type of hash.
Today, rosin is created using a special rosin press, while bubble hash is made using ice water and friction to extract trichomes from plant material.
Comparably, the process of making BHO involves the use of Butane.
Different types of hash come in different colors, from green, red, brown, or even black.
What Is Marijuana And How Is It Made?
Marijuana generally refers to the plant material harvested from different parts of cannabis plants, for instance, leaves, stems, seeds, and flower/buds.
The cannabis flowers are then dried and cured to enhance potency and improve flavor.
Marijuana can be used for various reasons and in a number of ways.
While some people prefer the traditional way of smoking a joint or blunt, others prefer to smoke it through a water pipe, cook it or even convert it into a concentrate.
In ancient India, enthusiasts of the old-school cannabis extract, hashish, would rub resinous cannabis buds in their hands until all the trichomes formed a thick layer. They would then scrape it off and roll it into a ball known as charas to either smoke or add to food.
Usually, marijuana comes in a green or slightly gray color.
It goes by a lot of names like mary jane, pot, weed, reefer, ganja – the list is endless!
There are different strains of marijuana, each producing unique effects, potency, aromas, and flavors.
The two dominant strains are cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica.
Theoretically speaking, Sativa strains produce higher levels of THC levels than CBD. They offer energetic and euphoric effects.
Comparably, Indica strains produce higher CBD amounts and are associated with calming, sedating, and relaxing effects.
Cultivators also breed different cannabis plants to create hybrid strains whose effects lean more towards the dominant cannabinoid (THC or CBD).
But it’s important to note that according to experts, the effects of marijuana plants are determined by their chemical makeup like terpenes and all other cannabinoids besides the active ingredients THC and CBD alone.
There are more than 400 naturally occurring chemicals in marijuana flower, and out of this, more than 100 are cannabinoids.
Marijuana connoisseurs usually grow female cannabis plants, and once they have bloomed and matured, the harvested flower is dried.
The excess stems, seeds, and larger fan leaves are then trimmed out by hands or scissors before curing.
A Closer Look At The Differences Between Hash And Marijuana
Though the are some similarities between the two cannabis products, there is also a host of differences that distinguish them as follows:
Marijuana vs Hash Preparation
The process of creating hashish and marijuana is one of the major distinguishing factors.
Hashish is produced using a process that involves separating resins from weed flowers.
Once separated, the trichomes/resin are then treated to form hash.
As we saw earlier, different types of hash are made using different methods, like bubble hash is created using ice water and physical agitation.
Marijuana is not processed in the same way as hashish.
Unlike hashish that eliminates all the extras of the cannabis plant, marijuana typically contains plant material and is less potent than hashish.
Growers can grow their marijuana plants outdoors or indoors to provide the optimal factors that enhance growth and provide a bountiful yield.
Once the plants are harvested, the cannabis flowers are trimmed, dried, and cured to boost flavor and potency.
Marijuana Vs Hash Potency
Another major distinguishing feature between hashish and marijuana is their potency levels.
Hash contains very high levels of THC, often way higher than marijuana, and hence it is more potent.
Different strains of marijuana plants have different THC levels, but these levels usually range from 10-30 percent THC compared to hash which generally contains 20-60% THC.
And sometimes, depending on the preparation method, the THC amount in hashish (BHO) can easily hit the 90% mark!
Hashish vs. Marijuana Effects
Thanks to its high THC levels, you only need to consume a small amount of hashish to experience its intoxicating effects.
A single puff of hashish can easily knock a novice off their feet.
Experts warn that consuming a high concentration of THC, for instance, the use of hash oil may result in adverse effects while increasing the odds for substance use disorder.
It can be dangerous for inexperienced users to assume that the effects of marijuana are the same as those of hash.
Note that even the THC amount in ‘weak’ hashish can have as much THC as 40% or more. Therefore you are strongly advised to tread lightly.
However, when consumed sensibly, its users say that hashish provides a more subtle cerebral high that motivates you to start and finish your tasks.
Some good-quality marijuana plants can have up to 30% THC, and the effects delivered largely depends on the strain you’re using.
Hashish vs. Marijuana Uses and Flavor
Hash and marijuana consumption methods are relatively similar.
Like marijuana, the common methods of consuming hash include smoking, vaporizing, or using it to make different edibles.
But because marijuana has a lesser THC concentration, it is also used to make marijuana concentrates.
It can also be used to make different marijuana products like tinctures or topicals such as;
- Creams
- Balms
- Lotions
- Salves
Marijuana is also well known for its therapeutic properties.
It has been used for medical purposes like alleviating pain, stress, inflammation, depression, and treating symptoms like cancer, epilepsy, nausea, and vomiting.
Another distinguishing factor between hashish and marijuana is their flavor.
The taste of hash varies between its different types; however, its users generally describe it as an intense, complex, and spicy flavor.
In comparison, the taste of marijuana varies depending on different strains.
The best-tasting marijuana strains provide distinctive tastes fresh and herbal.
Some marijuana flowers also offer unique flavors like citrus, coffee, fruity, cheese, diesel, and more!
Hashish and Marijuana Side Effects
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that cannabis is one of the most commonly abused and trafficked illegal drugs.
Experts believe that while marijuana use is more common in the United States, hashish is more typical in the Middle East.
Compared to hashish, marijuana is more commonly abused by teenagers and young people.
According to a 2013 report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, at least one in every seven adolescents confessed to using marijuana in the month preceding the national survey.
Marijuana is still classified as a schedule 1 drug with no currently accepted medical purposes and a high potential for abuse.
And although both hashish and marijuana are considered illegal by the United States Government, some individual states have legalized the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana.
As clinical studies continuously prove marijuana’s health benefits, more states are working towards legalizing medical marijuana.
A Quick Look At The Similarities Between Hashish and Marijuana
Hashish and marijuana share a couple of similarities as follows:
Origin and Chemical Make-Up:
They are both obtained from cannabis Sativa, Indica, or hybrid strains, and they contain a similar chemical profile, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Effects and Legality:
Both marijuana and hashish are still considered illegal at a federal level in the United States.
They deliver closely similar effects like a euphoric high, boosted appetite, enhanced mood, and relaxation.
Marijuana Vs Hash - The Bottom Line
Even though hashish and marijuana possess some similarities, they are two totally different products.
Hash contains extremely high amounts of THC, meaning that a small amount of hashish is potent enough to deliver your desired effects.
For these reasons, novices are advised to start with small doses and gradually work their way up.
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