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Hashish

Botanical name: Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica

Other common or street names: boom, gangster, hash, hemp. Marijuana concentrates are often referred to as 710, wax, ear wax, honey oil, budder, butane hash oil, butane honey oil (BHO), shatter, dabs (dabbing), black glass, and errl. Note: Street names change often and may vary regionally across the US.

What is hashish (hash)?

Hashish contains essentially the same active ingredients found in marijuana, except in a more concentrated THC form. Sinsemilla, hashish and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana. These products are THC concentrates or extracts. They appear as a dark brown, waxy substance or can be made into an oil.

The active agent in hashish that leads to the "high", like marijuana, is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).

As with marijuana, people who use hashish may experience a pleasant to intense euphoria, a sense of relaxation and a heightened sensory perception (such as brighter colors). Elevated mood, altered perception of time, and increased appetite may occur. Effects can also be unpleasant or cause paranoia or panic in novice users not experienced with concentrated levels of THC.

How is hash used?

Hashish or concentrates are usually smoked in a pipe or water pipe (bong) or "dabbed" using a special tool or vaporizer ("vape") pen. It may be rolled into a "blunt" (from an empty cigar) with marijuana or tobacco. It can be added to food or brewed in a tea, also.

Many who use marijuana concentrates prefer the use of a vaporizer because it's smokeless, odor-free and easy to carry and hide. Using a vaporizer to ingest marijuana concentrates is commonly referred to as "dabbing" or "vaping."

Dabbing, or smoking THC-rich products, is becoming more popular. Marijuana extracts, which contain very high amounts of THC include:

Hash effects on the user depend on the strength or potency of the THC it contains. Hashish contains the same active ingredients as marijuana, like THC and other cannabinoids, but with much higher concentrations. The concentrations can vary depending upon product.

THC extracts are becoming more popular as laws surrounding recreational use of marijuana have relaxed in the US. Marijuana concentrates contain very high levels of THC ranging from 40 to 80%, and may be 4 times stronger in THC content than marijuana, which may measure around 20% THC.

Butane is a commonly used solvent used to produce butane hash oil (BHO), also known as amber, dab, glass, honey, butter, shatter, or wax. Extraction is dangerous because it uses highly flammable butane to extract the THC from the marijuana plant material. Explosions and severe burns have occurred.

For additional information, see Marijuana and Cannabis

What are the health effects of hash use?

The short-term effects of hashish use include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch); difficulty in thinking and problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. The effects may be more intense due to the high concentration of THC found in hash and other concentrates.

THC in marijuana is strongly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. In heavy chronic users, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana or its concentrates.

THC in hashish is many times more potent that the levels of THC found in standard marijuana. Levels of THC found in marijuana have skyrocketed over the last two decades. According to samples tested by the DEA, percentage of THC in marijuana has gone from roughly 4% in 1998 to over 15.5% in 2018.

The long term effects of hashish or marijuana concentrate use are not yet fully known; but, long-term marijuana plant-use has been studied.

Studies show that marijuana use from a young age can affect brain development and IQ levels.

Hash effects on pregnancy

Any drug of abuse can affect a mother's health during pregnancy.

Hash addictive potential

A drug is addicting if it causes compulsive, uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use, even in the face of negative health and social consequences.

While not everyone who uses marijuana or hashish(THC) becomes addicted, when a user begins to seek out and take the drug compulsively, that person is said to be dependent or addicted to the drug.

Some frequent, heavy users of marijuana (THC) develop a tolerance for it. Tolerance means that the user needs larger doses of the drug to get the same desired results that they used to get from smaller amounts.

Long-term marijuana users may also experience withdrawal and addiction problems. Mild withdrawal symptoms that have been reported in those trying to quit include:

No medicines are available to treat marijuana use disorder, but behavioral support can be effective. Speak with your doctor if you are seeking treatment for marijuana use disorder.

Recreational use of cannabis (marijuana)

The states, territories or districts where recreational use of marijuana (THC) or marijuana products are legal are:

In addition, multiple US states, territories or commonwealths have approved the use of medical marijuana or have decriminalized its use.

Note: some states may have passed laws but still may be in the process of finalizing procedures and rules surrounding distribution or retail sales.

It is important to note that the federal government still considers marijuana a dangerous drug and that the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana (including hashish) is a federal crime.

Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana, hash and hash oil are still considered a Schedule 1 drugs. Schedule 1 drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Cities, municipalities, employers, landlords, and universities may have special policies about the use of marijuana or marijuana products. Use within any federal land, national park or monument is illegal. Be sure to check all rules before use, especially in areas that may be under federal law.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.