The 6 differences between marijuana and hashish

Marijuana and hashish are two drugs that are often confused. The reason for this is that they are really related, coming from the same plant, but that they involve a different production and consumption process.

Next we will see what they are the 6 differences between marijuana and hashish, investigating its appearance, form of consumption, preparation and obtaining.

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What are the differences between marijuana and hashish?

Marijuana and hashish are two drugs that are very often confused. This confusion makes sense since they both come from the same plant, the Cannabis sativa or hemp plant. Although its origin is the same, the uses, properties and appearance are quite different, being what is usually called marijuana the dried plant parts that are consumed smoked (raw flowers) while hashish is a resin paste extracted from the plant mother.

These two drugs can also be obtained from varieties of the other great species of hemp: Cannabis indica.

Depending on the variety used, the intensity and characteristics of the effects of both marijuana and hashish can change a lot, being those of the indica branch those that usually induce sedative and relaxing effects while those of the varieties sativa are more stimulating, consumed because they are attributed an "energetic" power and with the belief that they promote the creativity.

Next, we will take a closer look at the main differences between marijuana and hashish, putting these two drugs in common.

1. Origin

Marijuana is primarily the unprocessed, dried flowers of the female cannabis plant. It is the plant without hardly touching, which is why it is also known as "grass". The process of obtaining this drug is relatively easy, only being necessary to grow a female hemp plant and, if the necessary climatic and botanical conditions are met, the plant grows strong and healthy, ready for consumption at the moment suitable.

Instead, hash consists of the pure resin of the female cannabis plant, extracted from the plant through different processes, both mechanical and chemical. It is obtained from the crystals that are on the outer edges of the plant and that, through a complex process, are extracted and compressed into compact blocks to be marketed. It is a manufactured product, which requires a large amount of mother plant to make it, which tends to be more expensive than grass.

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2. Appearance

Marijuana is the flowers of the female plant, with a green color and a very intense smell.. This drug is presented in the form of buds, cut at the precise moment of plant growth and dried for later consumption. Likewise, it is worth mentioning that these buds can have multiple colors depending on the variety of cannabis, ranging from greenish yellow to violet tones.

The ideal marijuana bud has to be somewhere between being dry and fresh. If the flowers crunch when compacted and are sticky, it means that they are at the perfect point to be consumed. The brightness of the leaves is usually an indicator of the quality of the same and that same brightness is precisely the resin of the plant, where the THC is found and what makes the bud sticky.

Hash is usually a sticky, earthy paste with an intense smell, but softer than that of marijuana. This product can be of different shades, although as a general rule of brown color. This aspect depends on the type of plant from which it comes, the mode of extraction and its purity. In its final form, hashish comes in different forms, mostly in plates, bars, balls or pressed resin powder, having an appearance similar to that of chocolate.

If the hashish is too greenish in color, this may indicate that it has a high concentration of plant material., implying that there is a lower concentration of resin and therefore lower purity. This also suffers in the intensity of its effects. Likewise, it must be said that this is not a fixed rule, since the pressure of the block also alters the color, making it darker.

3. Obtaining

As we have mentioned before, marijuana or herb is basically the cannabis plant that has gone through a drying process. Obtaining it is very easy, being practically achieved "naturally", without a demanding chemical or mechanical process. As we said, it is enough to grow a maria plant, dry it when it is at the right point, crush it a little and consume it as you prefer.

Hash is a manufactured product and as such requires a production process. To produce hashish it is necessary to separate the resin from the leaves by drying and cooling the plant. Once this is achieved, the plant is filtered, causing the resin grains to fall through a sieve, a process that may need to be repeated several times. Once the grains are obtained, they are crushed into a powder, either manually or with the help of a press. The oil that comes out makes this powder stick, turning the entire product into a mass that can be shaped.

4. Effects intensity

Pure hashish is stronger than marijuana. This is due to the fact that it is the resin of the processed plant, a substance in which the most concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active chemical in hemp that affects the system highly strung. THC levels are lower in marijuana, being found in weed at a maximum level of between 25 and 30%. On the other hand, hashish has a higher concentration, being able to go from 60 to 90%.

However, it should be mentioned that not all hashish produces such intense effects, because a pure product is not always found. On many occasions this substance is sweetened with others, such as sand, plastic, henna, animal hair or even manure, with which, in addition to being more dangerous to health, its psychoactive effects are less due to having a lower concentration of THC.

5. Forms of consumption

Marijuana buds are the main state in which the plant is consumed and it has many uses. Although it is normally smoked in a pipe or rolled cigarettes, marijuana can also be cooked, preparing oils, butter and infusions. Hash can be consumed in many ways, both in the form of tobacco and in vaporizers. It can also be ingested through food, such as seasonings for cakes, cookies, and other pastries.

It is worth mentioning that the taste of both drugs is different. Those who take hashish say it has a more earthy and less floral taste than that of marijuana consumed in buds, although This also depends to a large extent on the extraction method and the amount of plant debris that may remain in the product. final.

6. Short and long term effects

Actually, marijuana and hashish induce the same effects, however as they have a different concentration of THC, their intensity and duration is more varied. Marijuana use tends to have milder short- and long-term effects than hashish, especially since weed is arguably a milder drug. However, it should be mentioned that it depends a lot on the amount consumed daily and for how long the drug dependence occurs.

When consuming hashish, high amounts of THC are ingested, which means that users of this drug can feel many effects that they would have after consuming the marijuana plant but in a much more intense way. Among the effects that can occur in the short term we have:

• Distortion of the perception of space and time.
• Feeling of relaxation and happiness.
• Euphoria and uncontrollable laughter.
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased appetite
• Increased heart rate.
• Pupillary dilation.
• Anxiety
• Motor clumsiness.
• Dry mouth
• Paranoia and visual and auditory hallucinations.

In the long term, the consumption of hashish is associated with lung damage and an increased risk of respiratory disease. A considerable decrease in cognitive reasoning abilities, hormonal changes, and physical and psychological addiction to the drug may also be experienced.