Hashish

Hashish, also known as cannabis resin or charas, is a product made from the resin of the cannabis plant. It is created using the tiny parts of the plant called trichomes, mainly from the flowers but sometimes also from the stalks and leaves. This resin is dried to make a concentrated 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 consume it either by itself or mixed with tobacco.

Hashish is considered a psychoactive substance, meaning it can change how a person feels or thinks. It contains chemicals like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids, which are often found in higher amounts than in the regular cannabis flower. The look and texture of hashish can vary a lot 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 the Arabic words ḥašīš and ḥashīsh, which 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 the tenth Fatimid caliph, al-Āmir bi-Aḥkām Allāh. The word appeared as "ḥashīshiyya", used to describe something opposite to Ismāʿīlī beliefs.

The Oxford English Dictionary says the first known use of the word "hashish" in English was in 1598, in a book about travels to the East Indies. However, the original 1596 book and the 1598 translation did not actually use this word—it was added later in an 1885 edition.

Like many substances used for enjoyment, hashish has many different names, depending on the country and language.

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, earning around €10.8 billion in 2004, Afghanistan is the largest today. Farmers in Morocco and other countries now use better growing methods and special plant types to make hashish with more of its active ingredients and better taste and smell.

Spain has also started producing more hashish, and places like Washington State) and Colorado 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 largest market for a special kind of cannabis called cannabis resin, making up 70% of all the resin found worldwide. Morocco used to be the main place where this resin came from, but now Afghanistan is the biggest producer. Even with some drops in how much is used and made, Morocco still made about 6600 tonnes of resin 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, and the strength of domestically grown cannabis has gone up while prices stay about the same.

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 of these three substances gives hashish its special effects, which are often described as more gentle and sedative. Unlike many other strong cannabis products, which mainly have THC, hashish has a more balanced effect.

Researchers have found that the special smell and taste of hashish might come from a substance called hashishene, which was discovered in the early 2000s. 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 because pure hashish burns poorly alone. 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, fear, or panic.

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 of these 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, either by accident or on purpose. 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 to make it weigh more. 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