In Germany, the legalization of cannabis is being talked about more and more loudly, and interested users are already finding out about its use. But what is actually meant when we talk about cannabis? Are we talking about blocks, also simplified as hashish, or flowers, which are harvested directly from the hemp plant? Below you will find an overview of the differences between hash and weed.
Hash and weed - how it's made
The vast cannabis world holds numerous products, but hash and dried flowers are the best known. The commonality is that both come from the cannabis plant. The peculiarity of hash is that after harvesting, it is pressed and formed into slabs. To produce “weed”, the mature plants are harvested during the flowering period. The buds are used, which are dried and packed airtight after harvesting.
Hashish can also be produced from marijuana. The resin in the plant is crucial for this. Finger hash, for example, is the simplest variety and is produced purely by rubbing plant parts and flowers between the fingers. The resin exudes from the trichomes and sticks to the fingers. Finally, it is carefully scraped off and pressed into molds.
However, this is not the only method of hash production, dry screen production is also very popular. Another difference from classic weed is that hash makes use of all parts of the plant, not just the cannabis flowers. Hash is thus also a popular method of processing the remains of the female cannabis plant. For home use, however, the finger method is most suitable, and sometimes the trichomes are made to ooze resin by ice water. But this requires complex equipment.
Different effects - hash is usually stronger
Even though there are differences in the THC content of individual varieties, hash is in principle stronger. This is because hash belongs to the concentrates, whereas weed consists of individual pollen and flowers. By the way, this difference does not only exist with marijuana as an intoxicant, but also with CBD hashish. The cannabis extract (also based on CBD) almost always has a higher concentration. In stoner circles, “shit” is therefore also recommended for experienced users, weed in general for beginners.
Consumption - these methods are particularly popular
In most parts of Europe, THC is still seen as a drug and thus indica and sativa strains with more than 0.2% THC are banned. However, weed does exist in legal form. Here, the cannabinoid CBD is important because it plays the main role.
Classic (and not legal) marijuana is most often used in a joint and smoked solo or with tobacco. In recent years, vaporizing has also become established, for this no additional tobacco is needed. Since many users do not smoke, but still want to inhale their hash, “vaping” has become so widespread. Due to the consistency of hash, it is also theoretically possible to dissolve the extract in tea or bake with it.
CBD hash and weed is used differently, as it has not been released for direct consumption. On the one hand, it is possible to convert legal cannabis flowers into e.g. oils and then use them. On the other hand, the cannabinoids can also be used through aromatherapy. The quality and consistency of CBD hash and weed are similar to marijuana with THC, but without the high effect.
Taste, smell and color - other differences between hash and grass
Major differences between hash and weed also arise in color, aroma, and smell. Newcomers often describe a sweaty aroma in typical flowers, which experienced users tend to perceive as earthy. You still strongly perceive the characteristic smell of a “plant” even after cannabis has dried, stronger even than hash.
Hash smells much more intense and less like the classic plant. Both forms have their own typical smell, but it is much stronger with hash. It is similar with the aroma. Hash is said to be more intense, while grass has an earthy note.
Visually, the main differences are in color. The flower appears lighter, and if you look closely, you can clearly see the resin glands. But there are also exotics that look a bit more colorful. They have purple leaves or an orange tinge. Hash, on the other hand, is dark, often even black, with few variations. Depending on the variety, color effects such as a gold shimmer or a hint of green are possible. You won’t notice resin glands here, the finished piece has a smooth surface without any special features.
Basically, however, the appearance also depends on the varieties used. The hemp plant can be grown from different seeds, each has special characteristics and thus also affects the subsequent production of a CBD marijuana.
Hash or weed - which is the best option?
We are now dealing here with the legal CBD market, which confronts many a user with the question: Hash or weed? For beginners, flower is usually recommended, as it has a lower CBD content. Although CBD does not trigger a classic high, it can still have an intense effect that is more noticeable with hash. The reason for this is that it is the concentrated form.
Ultimately, however, the decision between hash or weed is also a personal question. Meanwhile, CBD items come in different forms. While one person prefers to use CBD hashish for the production of aromatherapy, the other prefers to use oil made from weed.
In the CBD community, it is repeatedly described that hashish has a very strong effect and can therefore lead to side effects in beginners. This risk is said to be lower when using weed, as it is also easier to dose. The highly concentrated hashish is pressed so hard during production that even a small piece contains high amounts of CBD and other cannabinoids. However, both types have one thing in common: the THC content is less than 0.2%, otherwise the product would not be legal.