Do You Know the Differences Between Marijuana and Hash?

We just updated our website, listing all the most common ways to use medical marijuana for pain and symptom relief. One addition to the list was hash, also often referred to as hashish, hash oil, honey oil, bubble hash, shiva crystals, gold dust, moon rocks…and the list goes on. One frequently asked question by medical marijuana patients is “What’s the difference between marijuana and hash?”

Want to know? Read on for the short version. Feel free to make comments and add your own personal story below. If you want more in-depth information check out Hash: A Guide for the Medical Marijuana Patient or Caregiver to be published next week in the Resource Section of United Patients Groups’ website.

Short Answer

Hash and marijuana are derived from the same plant: the female sativa cannabis plant. Marijuana (weed, pot, ganja, etc.) is made from the dried flowering tops, leaves, stems and sometimes seeds of the plant, often mixed together. Hash is the pure resin separated and collected from the flowering tops of cannabis plants. Hash, depending on the purity, varies from golden brown to black in color, and can be smoked, eaten or vaporized.

Hash Is More Potent Than Marijuana

The THC content in hash can be much higher than that of marijuana, depending on the strain and quality of cannabis used. The THC content in marijuana can vary from 3-22%, while much higher in hash, from 20 to 60% or more. Therefore, using hash or adding hash in some form to a medical marijuana product is very beneficial for medical reasons as the higher potency offers a longer lasting effect with fewer amounts needed to achieve a therapeutic dosage.

Hash Oil

Hash can come in solid form (small bars or ‘cakes’) from hardened resin or in a thick oil form, often referred to as ‘honey oil.’ The oil can then be added to edibles (in the same way as cooking with marijuana butter or oil,) by putting small drops on a marijuana cigarette or pipe bowl, or inhaled and vaporized.

Medicinal Use of Hash

Many people suffering from debilitating and painful illnesses are benefiting from the therapeutic properties contained in both medical marijuana and hash. It’s important to purchase medical hash or marijuana from a reliable, trusted source, and to consume slowly and moderately to avoid unpleasant side effects. For more information on medicinal marijuana products, contact us or check out the closest cannabis dispensary near you.