Hashish

Hashish, also called cannabis resin or charas, is made from the resin of the cannabis plant. It is made using tiny parts of the plant called trichomes, mostly from the flowers but sometimes from the stalks and leaves. This resin is dried to make a stronger form of the plant.

People have used hashish for a long time in countries such as Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, and Egypt. It is also popular in Europe, where people use it alone or mixed with tobacco.

Hashish can change how a person feels or thinks because it contains chemicals like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids. These are often found in higher amounts than in regular cannabis flower. The look and feel of hashish can vary depending on how it is made, but it is usually a solid, brown material that can be brittle or soft.

Etymology

The word "hashish" in English comes from Arabic words that meant dried grass, hemp, or dry plants. It also relates to a word meaning "dried" or "to mow."

The term "hashish" was first mentioned around 1123 CE in a letter from a ruler. The word appeared as "ḥashīshiyya", used to describe something opposite to certain beliefs.

The Oxford English Dictionary says the first known use of the word "hashish" in English was in 1598, in a book about travels. Like many substances, hashish has many different names in different countries and languages.

Usage history

Hashish has been used for many centuries, but we do not know exactly when it was first used. Places like India and Nepal have long traditions of making and using hashish, which they call charas. The oldest proof of cannabis, a plant related to hashish, was found in Japan and dates back to around 10,000 BCE.

In the past, people used hashish for different reasons. In the 1800s, some writers in Europe, such as Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas, enjoyed using hashish. It was also used to help with pain and other health problems before modern medicines were available. Today, laws in many places restrict its use.

Production

Hashish production for international trade began in Morocco during the 1960s, where the cannabis plant was easy to find. Before then, only small amounts of hashish from Lebanon were found there.

Since the 2000s, more people have started growing cannabis at home, changing the market. While Morocco was the main producer in the 1990s, Afghanistan is now known for making higher quality hashish. During the COVID-19 pandemic, prices went up because of lockdowns.

Although Morocco used to be the biggest producer, Afghanistan is the largest today. Farmers in Morocco and other countries now use better growing methods to make hashish with more of its active ingredients.

Spain has also started producing more hashish, and some places in the United States have made rules to allow its production and sale. Many other places around the world are now also making hashish.

European market

Western Europe is the biggest market for a special kind of cannabis called cannabis resin. It uses 70% of all the resin found in the world. Morocco used to be the main place where this resin came from, but now Afghanistan makes the most. Even though use and making of resin has dropped a little, Morocco still made about 6600 tonnes in 2005.

In 2013, Europe used about 641 tonnes of this resin, making it the biggest and most profitable market. Because of this, many groups, including some involved in organized crime, are part of this business. The biggest catches of cannabis resin in Europe happen in Portugal because it is close to Northern Africa. Over time, the shape of the resin has changed from soap bars to pellets.

Substance properties

See also: Plant breeding

Hashish from places like India, Lebanon, and Morocco contains important amounts of cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Sometimes, the CBD in hashish is even more than the THC. This mix gives hashish its special effects, which are often described as gentle and sedative. Unlike many other strong cannabis products, hashish has a more balanced effect.

Researchers have found that the special smell and taste of hashish might come from a substance called hashishene. The way hashish is made can also affect how it looks, smells, and how strong it is. Sometimes, extra things might be added to change its weight or appearance.

Short-term effects

See also: Effects of cannabis

Hashish can be eaten or breathed in by smoking it, often mixed with tobacco. It can also be used in a pipe, bong, vaporizer, or joints. When eaten, it works best with a fatty meal or snack.

Like cannabis, hashish causes effects that start within 15 minutes when smoked and 30 to 60 minutes when eaten. Common effects include feeling relaxed or very happy, memory problems, increased hunger, and changes in how you see, hear, and taste things. Time and space may also feel different. Other effects can include a dry mouth and throat, trouble with movements, and fast heartbeat. Too much can cause anxiety or fear.

Manufacturing processes

Hashish is made from special parts of the cannabis plant called trichomes, along with pieces of the plant's flowers and leaves. The flowers of female plants have the most trichomes. Some plants are grown just to produce lots of trichomes.

Traditionally, people collect the sticky resin from the plant by rubbing the flowers between their hands, forming small balls called charas. This method creates a product with a lot of the main active ingredient, without using chemicals. The best charas comes from Central Asia.

Other methods include using screens to separate the trichomes, or using ice water to help collect them. Some newer ways use heat, pressure, or static electricity to get the trichomes.

Chemical methods sometimes use liquids to dissolve the resin, but these are different from traditional hashish. There is also a method called rosin, which uses heat and pressure to get the oil from the plant material without using chemicals.

Quality

Sometimes small pieces of leaves are added to hashish. This can make the hash less pure and give it a green color. If the hash is very sticky, extra oils might have been added. The best way to tell the quality is by its smell. Good hash smells nice and sweet, while poor quality hash might smell moldy or unpleasant.

The strength of hashish can vary a lot. It can have almost no active ingredients or as much as 65% of a substance called THC. Hash oil can have between 30% to 90% THC. Hashish may also contain other helpful substances in smaller amounts.

adulterants tetrahydrocannabinol hash oil cannabinoids