What is Hash and How Do You Smoke It?

Hashish, or hash for short, is a concentrated form of cannabis made by collecting the plant’s resinous glands, called trichomes, and compressing them into a solid block.

It’s the oldest form of cannabis concentrate. Legends have it that hash roots go back thousands of years in arabic and middle east countries like Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, and Egypt.

In fact the word "hash" comes from the Arabic word "ḥašiš," which means 'hay' or "dry weed".

Depending on how it’s made, cannabis hash's appearance and texture can vary. It’s usually light or dark brown but can also be transparent, yellow, black or red. Its texture can be brittle or soft and pliable.

As you might guess, hash is way stronger than regular cannabis flower with THC content that can go over 60%. That’s why hashish consumption is still popular today among cannabis enthusiasts looking for potent effects. Here in the US, you can find a variety of hash products at local shops and online dispensaries.

How is Hash Made

As we mentioned above, hash is simply compressed trichomes. Trichomes are the crystal-like glands that grow on the surface of cannabis plants' flowers and leaves. They contain the plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which are responsible for its aroma, flavor, and effects.

Different extraction methods(and pressing techniques) are used for these trichomes, and it’s because of these differences that we have access to different types of hash.

Let's take a look at a few examples and how they're made below.

Different Types of Hashish!

Hand-Rubbed Hash (Charas):

• This is the oldest known form of hash making. It involves rubbing flowering buds between the hands and scraping the resin into a ball called charas. It’s believed to originate from Nepal and India. In Nepal, charas was historically rolled by Buddhist monks and left to age.

Moroccan/Dry Sift Hash (Kief):

• Dry sift hash is sometimes known as Moroccan hash owing to its origins. This hash is produced by dry-sieving dried cannabis plants to collect the resin (kief). The powder is then heated and pressed into slabs or blocks. Dry sift hash is famous worldwide, and to date, Morocco is known for producing some of the best hash.

Lebanese Hash:

• Leave dry sift a bit loose, and you have Lebanese-style hash. This hash can be either yellow or red, depending on the age of the plants used. Yellow Lebanese is made from younger plants and provides a more cerebral high, while red is made from older plants for a more narcotic effect.

Bubble Hash/Ice Water Hash:

• If you use ice, water and agitation to separate trichomes from the plant, you have bubble hash. The mixture is filtered through a series of mesh "bubble bags" to produce different grades of hash. High-quality bubble hash known as "full melt hash" vaporizes completely when heated.

Rosin Hash:

• Use only heat and pressure to squeeze out a flavorful resin from cannabis plants, and you have Rosin - a solventless hash product. Simple as that!

Butane Hash Oil (BHO):

• Fast-forward, and we have Butane hash oil, or BHO for short, a modern type of hash. It's highly potent and made using solvents like butane to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. Examples here include wax, shatter, crumble, and live resin.

Common Ways to Smoke Hash

Any connoisseur knows that cannabis has to be decarboxylated to activate the psychoactive effects. This is why smoking hash is the preferred method of use to fully enjoy the effects.

The good thing about hashish, unlike other cannabis concentrates, is that it’s easy to break off a piece for use. As such, you can enjoy it using various consumption methods, some of which we will take a closer look at here:

Joint/Blunt

Starting off simple here is adding hash to a joint or blunt. Simply melt a small piece of hash, and line a snake through your next joint as you roll. And voila! You have a potent hash hole joint!

Alternatively, you can twax the joint, which involves rolling the melted hash on the outside of your joint for an unforgettable session.

Bong or Pipe

If you enjoy bongs or pipes, you’ll find it even easier to enjoy hash. Just crumble a small piece and sprinkle it on top of your bowl full of flower. This technique is known as “crowning your bowl,” and it amps up your smoke session significantly.

The "Hot Knife" Method

For those feeling adventurous, there’s the old-school hot knife method. Though it's not the safest option available, it’s a quick way to smoke hash. Heat two knives until they’re red hot, place a bit of hash between them, and inhale the vapor that escapes using a straw or funnel.

Proceed with caution; the risk of burns and harsh smoke can make this method unsafe.

Vape

One of the most popular modern methods is vaping. Using a vaporizer not only provides a smoother hit but also preserves the terpenes and cannabinoids of the hash. Make sure you have a vaporizer designed for concentrates for the best experience.

Dab Rig

Finally, there's dabbing, which involves using a dab rig. This small water pipe replaces the flower bowl with a banger. You heat the banger, add your hash, and it vaporizes instantly, allowing for an intense and flavorful inhale.

Protecting Your Lungs When Smoking Hash

You are now well educated on what hashish is and the different ways to smoke it. One last thing to keep in mind is that, just like any cannabis product, smoking hash can irritate your lungs with prolonged exposure to smoke toxins, posing a risk to lung infections.

A swappable silicone mouthpiece filter for your smoking device can help mitigate these risks. Checkout The MooseLabs MouthPeace, which uses special carbon filters that cut out much of the gunk in smoke, such as resin and tar, without restricting airflow.

You'll get to enjoy a noticeably smoother smoke thats a whole lot gentler on your lungs. Whether you’re using joints, vapes, rigs, or bongs, MooseLabs has sizes to fit your smoking vessel, giving you a smoother, gentler hash sesh experience.