Hashish

Hashish, with origins in North India and Nepal, has a history dating back to 1123 CE in Cairo. It became significant in European culture after introduction by French troops in Egypt and influenced Greek music and social settings. Classified as a Schedule I and IV narcotic by the 1961 UN Single Convention, its legality varies globally. Produced from cannabis plant parts, hashish is consumed for its high THC concentration. It has seen medical use but is prohibited under the UN convention.

History and Cultural Impact:

• Hashish consumption dates back centuries, with origins in North India and Nepal.
• The term ‘hashish’ was first recorded in Cairo in 1123 CE.
• Hashish arrived in Europe in the 18th century.
• Hashish played a significant role in European literary circles and cultural movements.
• Hashish was introduced to French troops in Egypt during the Napoleonic campaigns.
• Hashish smoking culture in Greece led to the development of a musical genre called ‘rembetika’.
• Hashish dens, known as ‘tekethes’, emerged in Greece due to refugees from Turkey.

Legality and Global Market:

• Hashish is classified as a Schedule I and IV narcotic drug by the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
• Hashish legality varies by country.
• The U.S. has seen changes in laws around hashish, leading to increased popularity.
• Afghanistan, Morocco, and Egypt are popular regions for hashish consumption.
• Western Europe is the largest market for cannabis resin, with Morocco historically being a major producer.
• Afghanistan has emerged as a significant producer of hashish, impacting the global market.
• The European hashish market has experienced shifts in consumption trends, including a rise in domestically grown cannabis displacing imported resin.

Production and Composition:

• Hashish is made from cannabis plant parts, focusing on flowering buds with trichomes.
• Consumption methods include smoking or oral ingestion.
• Hashish purities in Europe range from 3% to 15%.
• The strength of hashish has increased due to higher THC content in cannabis flowers.
• Hashish appears in various forms, from solid to malleable, with colors like brown, yellow, or black.
• Hashish contains high THC concentrations and is a cannabis concentrate.

Medical and Recreational Use:

• Hashish was historically used for medicinal purposes in the 19th century.
• It played a role in treating pain, migraine, asthma, and insomnia.
• Hashish was embraced in European literary circles and used in psychiatric experiments.
• Prohibited for medical use by the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Manufacturing Processes and Quality:

• Hashish is produced from cannabinoid-rich glandular hairs known as trichomes, cannabis flower, and leaf fragments.
• Various techniques like drysifting and ice-water separation are used for hashish production.
• Solvent-based methods involve using ethanol, butane, or hexane for resin extraction.
• Quality indicators include smell, THC content ranging up to 65%, and the presence of cannabinoids like CBD and CBN.
• Hashish potency has increased due to competition and hybrid plant development.
• The quality of hashish is influenced by cultivation methods, extraction techniques, and post-processing steps.

Hashish Data Sources