What Is Hashish?

Hashish is a cannabis product produced from the resin-rich parts of the marijuana plant, resulting in a more concentrated product. 

This article will explain the difference between hashish and marijuana, hashish effects, and how to get help if you or someone you love is struggling with hash or marijuana addiction.

Hash vs Weed: Is Hashish the Same as Marijuana?

Hashish and weed are both products of the cannabis plant and are essentially the same. However, there are differences between marijuana and hashish.

In general, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warns that hash is the most potent and concentrated form of cannabis. Hash contains very high levels of THC, usually much higher than marijuana, although marijuana THC levels have been climbing in recent years.

Hashish—or hash—originates in the Middle East, Pakistan, North Africa, and Afghanistan. Hashish is made of the most resinous parts of the cannabis plant that are compressed, creating a higher concentrate product. The end product is typically in a cake, ball, or cookie-like sheet that users break off and smoke. 

Marijuana is grown throughout the world, but main sources come from the United States, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Asia. Marijuana is usually comprised of the stems, leaves, and flowers of the cannabis plant which are then processed into a variety of products.

Other Names for Hashish

Hashish is most commonly referred to as “hash” or, when texting, the hashtag (#) symbol. This substance also goes by many other names, including:

• Dab or dabs.
• Gangster.
• Hemp.
• Boom.
• Keef.

How is Hashish Used?

Like Marijuana, hashish can be used in a variety of ways, including:

• Smoking it.
• Using it to cook or bake different foods.
• Extracting the cannabinoids to make hash oil.

How Is Hashish Made?

Hash is harvested by collecting the powdery resin either by hand, by mechanical beating of the plants, or by submersing cannabis plants in icy water and then using small sieves to remove the trichomes, which are then dried (this type of hashish is called “bubble hash”).

The remaining kief is typically pressed into “cakes” or blocks, which are then smoked in pipes, vaporized and inhaled, or mixed with marijuana in joints or tobacco in cigarettes.

Hash can be soft and pliable or stiff and brittle. It may be red, black, brown, green, yellow, or blonde in color.

Hash may also be used in cooking, as it is soluble in things like oils, butter, or cream and can therefore be made into foods like brownies. Additionally, hashish can be further manufactured by extracting the THC-rich resin and making hash oil, a gooey substance that individuals are “dabbing” and smoking with e-cigarettes.

A Brief History of Hashish

The history of hashish dates back centuries, with mentions of the psychoactive substance appearing as early as 1123. Its most notable origins can be traced to India, where the drug is called charas.

Charas was discovered when cannabis harvesters noticed their hands were coated with the plant’s sticky resin. The workers would then rub their hands together to remove the sticky resin, ultimately forming “temple balls” of hashish.

The substance was initially eaten or burned as incense, until people starting smoking it in the 1600s.

Marijuana and Hashish Side Effects

Marijuana and hashish have similar effects on the brain and body as they both contain THC. Cannabis produces a mellowing “high,” causing relaxation and euphoria.

Both marijuana and hashish have a number of side effects. These include:

• Altered perception of time and sensory experiences.
• Mood changes.
• Impaired thinking and problem-solving.
• Poor coordination and body movement.
• Memory lapses.
• Lack of motivation.
• Increased appetite (“munchies”).

In some cases, individuals may experience hallucinations, delusions, paranoia or psychosis—particularly when higher doses of these substances are used.

Lung and breathing issues, irregular heart rate, cognitive decline, and disruption of brain development in younger people exposed to marijuana or hashish are possible long-term effects of cannabis use.

Treatment for Hashish and Marijuana Abuse

If you or someone you care about is struggling with hash or marijuana addiction, there is effective addiction help available in the Northeast. At our inpatient rehab in New Jersey, we use personalized, evidence-based care to help people get on the road to recovery.

Contact our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators at to learn more about the types of addiction treatment we offer. They are on hand 24/7 to provide more information about treatment options and ways to pay for rehab, as well as insurance plans that cover treatment. They can also guide you through the rehab admissions process.

Recovery is possible and we’re here to help.