A truly ancient, mysterious, and beguiling cannabis product, hash—sometimes known as hashish—is the world’s first weed concentrate and one of the most legendary names in the world of cannabis. 

But what makes up hash, and how do you use it? If you’ve been looking to expand your cannabis vocabulary and want to try something a bit out of the ordinary, you’ve come to the right place! Read on and learn:

• What is hash?
• What is full-spectrum cannabis?
• Is the high from hash different from other types of cannabis?
• How do you consume hash?
• And much more!

Ready? Let’s get rolling. 

What Is Cannabis Hash?

If you’ve ever visited our San Diego dispensary, you know how many different kinds of cannabis concentrates there are. Since taking the cannabis world by storm around 25 years ago, concentrates have become one of the most exciting frontiers in cannabis for their exceptional potency and complex flavors. But, exciting as each of them is, one concentrate has a far longer backstory—hundreds of years longer—than the rest: Hash.

Hash is a centuries-old commodity, a potent concentrate made by pressing together the cannabis plant’s dried and sifted trichomes. These tiny mushroom-shaped glands produce the bulk of the potent cannabinoids and terpenes we consume hash for in the first place.

It’s functionally similar to cannabis, but when it comes to weed versus hash, weed is simply the cured and dried flower of the female cannabis plant. By comparison, hash takes the major “active ingredients” of cannabis—the cannabinoids and terpenes—and presses them into a more potent, concentrated form.

Is hash stronger than weed? Absolutely. While it doesn’t quite reach the high of the most potent modern concentrates, such as THCA diamonds, hash is quite powerful, typically reaching levels of 60% THC or more. Alternatively, the strongest flower available on the market has now surpassed 30% THC. 

Since we’re focusing on the source of hash—cannabis flower—right now, this is as good a time as any time to talk about full-spectrum cannabis and why it’s important when it comes to the overall experience of enjoying hash.

What Does Full-Spectrum Mean?

In the context of cannabis concentrates, “full-spectrum” means that the entire cannabis plant was used in the process of creating it, including all of its secondary cannabinoids besides THC and CBD. There are also terpenes, the highly aromatic oils that give each cultivar its unique characteristics—but that’s not all they do. They’re a major reason hash and other full-spectrum concentrates provide such a unique sensory experience.

THC, of course, is the primary cannabinoid found in cannabis and the one most responsible for the plant’s intoxicating “high.” It has many other effects and may help us manage pain and other common symptoms. CBD isn’t considered intoxicating like THC, but it’s associated with a wide range of benefits, such as its potential in addressing pain and reducing anxiety.

Beyond THC and CBD, there are over a hundred other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, some of whose effects are documented and others less so. Since the cannabis plant harnesses so many documented and undocumented cannabinoids, each strain can lend entirely different psychoactive and physical effects on your body.

To circle back to terpenes, they’re believed to be a significant part of the consumption and effects story. As a growing body of research suggests, they may impart important benefits of their own—and given that at least 150 terpenes are found in cannabis in varying proportions, it’s easy to see why there are so many variations when it comes to enjoying this fantastically complex plant. 

Hash provides a full-spectrum alternative to other cannabis concentrates and can generate a full-body, comprehensive high more akin to smoking extremely flavorful and potent flower.

Is the High from Hash Different from Other Types of Cannabis?

Given what we already know about how complex the cannabis plant is, it’s easy to see how enjoying products that contain the full spectrum of possible compounds would be different than enjoying a highly refined one.

Each batch of cannabis flower can provide a different experience. This is true of every plant grown and all the fruits and vegetables you eat. You are never consuming the same exact plant that you had before; there are always slight variations. These variations could be subtle or trigger noticeable—and, at times, unwanted—side effects.

Compare hash with a product such as cannabis distillate, in which all other cannabinoids besides THC have been stripped from the final product. It offers a singular high focused solely on its THC content, so while the cannabinoid is excellent at making you feel high, it also provides a very “linear” experience when consumed purely as distillate.

Now, we’re not knocking distillate: It has many uses, such as providing a potent and effective base for many kinds of vape carts you’ve probably enjoyed. But when it comes to hash versus weed, many seasoned smokers agree: The presence of those other cannabinoids in hash makes for a far more complex, nuanced, and enjoyable experience.

High Quality California Hash Makers

Since we’re always on the lookout for exciting new products to stock our dispensary shelves, we’ve come across an awful lot of incredible concentrates for you to enjoy. Here are two of our recent favorites:

Tutti Hash

Tutti Hash is an affordable 100% solventless concentrate ethically sourced from small-batch cannabis farms in the Emerald Triangle in Northern California. Tutti was established during the onset of the legalization of cannabis when California’s heavy taxes deferred many of its medicinal patients back to an unregulated market. The word “tutti” means “for all,” and they intend to offer quality, artisanal cannabis hash at a price that everyone can afford.

Biscotti

What began in a home kitchen using a single 5-gallon bucket quickly transformed into one of the most recognizable and largest operating commercial hash manufacturing facilities in the state of California. Biscotti is one of the biggest names in the industry for its superior hash-making process rooted in Italian craftsmanship.

The brand’s handcrafted, premium hash is ingrained in centuries-old and traditional Italian concepts. The process is time-intensive and focuses on preserving and protecting the plant’s natural properties, especially those resinous trichomes. Full-spectrum trichomes are naturally separated at Biscotti using only water and ice. There are no solvents, additives, or flavors—just pure hash that delivers a powerfully therapeutic experience for every kind of hash lover.

Nasha Hash

With a dedication to building upon traditional hash-making techniques for the modern cannabis consumer, Nasha offers a line of quality hash products produced within 80 miles of its Humboldt facility.

Their team develops supportive relationships with all of the craft-growers they work with, and meticulously selects the cultivars and plants used in their proprietary cold water extraction process. From loose hash to pressed hash to hash rosin vapes, Nasha’s products are pure, potent, and clean, providing an unmatched expression of the complexity and nuance a hash experience can provide.

710 Labs

Since their launch in 2010, 710 Labs has been a leader in providing some of the most clean, flavorful and highest-quality concentrates on the market. 

From using organic inputs to feed their plants to the intense care they put into their lineup of solventless and solvent-based extracts, 710 has built a reputation for their mastery of cannabis concentrates. When it comes to their hash, they lean heavily on their quest for hand-selected and exotic strains from the most renowned breeders— including landrace strains that took decades to find. The quality these genetics brings to the table shines through in their water hash products.

How to Consume Cannabis Hash: Best Techniques

How do you smoke hash? As arguably the most versatile of cannabis concentrates, there’s no end to how to enjoy it. Here are a few of the most popular.

Joints and Blunts 

Rolling hash into a joint or blunt is a great way to increase its potency while adding complex earthy notes to its flavor and aroma. that A little definitely goes a long way, so you should start using small amounts and work your way up to your preferred amount. It’s best to sprinkle the hash from the top of the joint to the bottom for it to burn evenly, and you should try to avoid clumps for the same reason. 

You can also leave about  ¼” of space where you ignite your joint and where the hash begins on both sides. This will ensure that your hash does not completely light up when you hit your blunt or joint with a flame and you won’t have deep, dark resin left in your mouth or throat.

Pipes and Bongs

Like rolling it into a joint, topping a bowl off with hash is an easy way to infuse your regular smoke with added flavor and potency. Many experts prefer to sandwich the hash within the ground flower so that it burns evenly.

Dab Rig 

You don’t need to smoke hash with cannabis flower—in many cultures, it’s enjoyed on its own. Enter the dab rig. Simply add your hash to the rig’s nail, hit it with a blow torch, and inhale the flavorful vapor. 

Hash Pipe

If you decide to commit to hash as your concentrate of choice, we recommend a dedicated hash pipe. It’s similar to a standard hand pipe, but it features three small holes at the rim of the bowl instead of an open bowl. The design prevents precious hash from falling through the bottom of the bowl as it burns since it tends to disintegrate as it burns.

Explore California Hash at Mankind

Hash is an ancient cannabis product that’s potent, beguiling, and extremely flavorful. It can be a versatile way to get a huge hit of flavor and complexity from a single product.

If you’re in the mood to explore San Diego’s best selection of hash, we’re here for you. Start by browsing our extensive online menu for a wide range of hash products—plus any other style of cannabis concentrates and products you could imagine! 

Our new weed delivery service also makes getting the products you’re looking for easier than ever. Check out our Delivery Zone Map to see if you’re in our designated delivery areas.

Have other questions on how to use hash, the difference between hash and weed, or any other weed-related topics? Stop by our San Diego dispensary and ask any of our friendly budtenders, or hit us up at info@mankindcannabis.com—we’re always here to help!