The world of Cannabis can be a confusing place at times! With such a vast array of products available and more choices than ever before, it’s easy to be out of the loop! 

One common question that always comes up is ‘what is the difference between hash and weed?’ 

Think of it like a cake and icing, with the cake being the weed and the hash being the icing. This might not mean much right now but let’s delve a little deeper and return to this analogy.

What is Weed?

At its simplest, weed is the dried, unprocessed flowers of the female Cannabis plant.

The male part of the plant is tasked with the job of pollination and is an essential part of the cannabis life cycle. Once pollinated, the female flowers grow in spike-like clusters and remain dark green for up to a month after blossoming. 

Once ready, weed can be enjoyed in many ways and is often enjoyed in joints and blunts, or through a bong (pipe). It can also be infused into many different foods and drinks (edibles).

Check out Taki Taki’s diverse inventory and weekly deals on dried flower!

What is Hash?

Hash (or hashish) is the resin of the female cannabis plant that’s been extracted from the cannabis plant. The word “hashish” originates from the Arabic language, and translates to dry herb/grass.

Hash is produced when the THC-packed glands (trichomes) of the cannabis plant are stripped and processed into bricks or balls.

Just like weed, hash can complement a joint, be mixed with your preferred blend and be consumed through a glass pipe or bong.

How is Hash made?

The tradition of making hash dates back to the 12th Century. The earliest method of producing Hash was to continuously rub a mature cannabis plant between your hands until a thick and sticky black resin was produced. 

This hand-rolled form of hashish is widely known as Charas and is thought to originate from regions of Asia, in particular India, Pakistan, and Nepal. 

Cool fact: This method of producing hash is so ancient it is believed to have superseded written documentation! 

In recent years, as technology has developed, new efficient and innovative ways to extract resin have emerged! Let’s take a look below at some of the different ways hash is produced today.

Ice Water Hash

Ice water hash or bubble hash is as cool as it sounds! The trichomes are frozen and separated from the bud using ice and water! The cold water ice and agitation produce a mixture that is then filtered using ‘bubble bag filters’. 

During this process, the mixture is passed through the filters separating the trichomes and plant matter leaving you with a final matter that will be dried and processed accordingly.

Cool fact: trichomes and cannabinoids are not soluble in water, so they are not damaged during this process.

Dry sift hash 

Dry sift hash is a common method of making hash, and is made by gently sieving dried cannabis buds through fine-mesh screens and collecting the trichomes. 

 A lot of people have similar mesh screens as part of their grinders and after going through some frosty buds, kief will accumulate in the lower chamber. This powdery collection is then pressed and heated into the blocks and balls of hash you would generally see.

Shatter, Wax & Budder

Now we get into the high-end hash concentrates, and by high-end I mean high levels of THC! Concentrates like Shatter, Wax (crumble) and Budder can boast THC levels of up to 90% (compared to 20-60 % THC levels we see in weed and hash respectively), these products take getting high to a new level for sure! 

The processes used to produce these hash variations differ from the other methods in that the extraction process is classed as chemical as opposed to mechanical! 

Solvents such as butane, co2 and propane are often used to strip the bud of huge amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes.  

Looking for a great online dispensary to purchase hash? Check out Taki Taki’s inventory today, including the island pink bubble hash!

Which One Gets You Higher? 

Weed and hash can have very different effects. As hash is the concentrated version of the cannabis plant, it does share some characteristics with the mother plant.

As always, the high will always depend on the individual strain itself, but as a rule of thumb most hash tends to be stronger than most dried flower strains of weed. This also seems to be the consensus with edibles, with many claiming that hash edibles are more potent.

Hash also contains a higher concentration of psychoactive chemicals, which for some users can make their experience much more intense.  people who have smoked hash have described experiencing feelings of euphoria and relaxation (these positive effects are enjoyed when hash is consumed responsibly of course).

If you’re a beginner in this space, weed is definitely a great place to start. Not only is it readily available, but it also tends to be more cost-effective and is in most cases far less potent.

The Bottom Line

Do you remember the cake reference I made at the start? With weed representing a cake and hash as the icing.

Sometimes we like to eat cake by itself while other times we like to lather it in icing and indulge in something extra sweet. And on those really naughty days when you want to just have some icing by itself, that’s ok too!

It is important to remember that smoking is a personal experience and affects everyone differently, so do your research and decide for yourself what better suits your needs, and enjoy!

Hash FAQS

Does hash smell when smoked?

Of course! Just like weed, once combusted hash will produce a unique aroma. As it hails from the cannabis plant, hash shares certain notes with its parent plant producing a distinctive and unique fragrance. Some have described the smell as an earthy scent mixed with notes of fires and ash, whilst others have noted sweet and zesty scents!

Is hash stronger than kief?

In short, yes. Kief is the younger (more raw) brother to hash.  They have many similarities, but due to hash being the more developed and refined version it is usually stronger than kief. The process to obtain kief is a lot easier than making hash, owning a decent multi-chamber grinder with a mesh net is all you need.

Which type of hash is the strongest? 

According to multiple sources, a version of Hash called Crystalline weighs in as the strongest hash, boasting a monumental 99.9% level of THC! 

This high level of potency is not for the novice smoker and aesthetically Crystalline does put some people off. Its crystal-like structure is likened to a similar-looking illicit drug, thus inciting negative reviews and connotations.

Medically, cannabis crystalline has provided relief for patients in pain and suffering long-term debilitating conditions. This pure form of THC has left some users feeling inspired with a clean and focused high.

The price point for Crystalline is high (like the THC levels) with some dispensaries selling a gram for $200 or more!

What does good hash look like?

Determining the quality of hash is very different to analysing the quality of the flower. Unlike weed, hash doesn’t contain the usual indicators and characteristics we look for when analysing the flower such as smell, hairs, and crystals.

It is also important to note that hashish varies widely by type so ‘good’ will depend on the type you have. For example, dry-sift, hash usually looks blondish-brown and is sand-like in texture whereas Chara or hand-rubbed hash will usually be darker colours like brown and black and texturally be more sticky.

How long is hash good for?

Hash has a long shelf life and depending on how it is stored will help determine how long your hash stays good. Short- to medium-term storage, a small container will suffice as long as it’s airtight! Using this method can keep your hash fresh for a good few weeks.

Dividing your hash into smaller blocks and wrapping it in greaseproof paper and storing it inside an airtight container,  will help to reduce the chances of mould or moisture from spoiling the hash.

For longer-term storage ( longer than a month) a lot of people like to freeze their hash. This can keep it fresh for up to a year! 

Want some more great cannabis content? Head over to Taki Taki’s blog now to check out some of the different cannabis-based discussions!

Shop & Save At Taki Taki Today!

Taki Taki is s the #1 Best Online Cannabis Dispensary in Canada that specializes in Same-Day Weed Delivery and Mail Order Marijuana

They have a huge selection of top-shelf flower, extracts, edibles, hash and more!

Make sure to take advantage of their weekly sales too; where you can find new and exciting products at the best rates! 

Speak with one of their knowledgeable and fast-responding agents for more information. Whether you have questions about the products or are just looking for new product recommendations they have you covered. Don’t forget to ask about any exclusive promotions they’ve got going on. Shop at Taki Taki today!

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