Hashish

Street Drug Monograph

Names

Hash, Dry Herb, Hay1

What is it?

Hashish is a cannabis product made from the trichomes (flowering buds containing resin glands) of the cannabis plant that have been compressed or purified. It can be smoked or used orally.2

History

Hashish has been used for several thousand years. Some of the first records of its use come from 900 AD in Arabia. Its use spread to Europe in the 1800s.3

Modern popularity rose in the 1960s, becoming popular in the US for those with “alternative lifestyles”. Many Western tourists also were exposed to Hashish when traveling to India and Nepal.3

Pharmacology

Hash contains the same cannabinoids found in other cannabis products (such as marijuana), but at a higher concentration. For example, Hashish resin usually contains 20-60% THC.4

Cannabinoids are fat soluble, meaning that it can stay in the body for longer than water soluble substances. It has a half life of seven days in the body. Cannabinoids are metabolized in the liver, and are secreted 25% in the urine and 65% in the GI, leading to reabsorption. They interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), increasing dopamine secretion. People are able to develop resistance to cannabinoids.4

Effects

Cannabinoids have anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic, and psychedelic properties. They can also increase appetite, lead to euphoria or dysphoria, distorted space and time perception, and (at high doses) hallucinations. They can lead to long term impairment with chronic use.4

Drug Interactions

● Increases clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.5

● Decreases clearance of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.5

● Additive effects with sympathomimetics (tachycardia, hypertension).5

● Additive effects with CNS depressants (drowsiness, ataxia).5

● Additive effects with anticholinergics (tachycardia, confusion).5

● Increases bleeding risk of Warfarin.5

● CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 inhibitors can increase cannabinoid effects.5

Laws and Regulation

Cannabis products are illegal at the federal level, but state legislation varies heavily.

Indiana: “Possession of more than two grams of hashish or concentrate, or if the person has a prior conviction of an offense involving marijuana, hash oil, or hashish and is in possession less than two grams, then the crime is a level 6 felony, punishable by six months to 2 ½ years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000.”6

Monitoring and Drug Screening

Drugs to detect THC exist in urine, blood, and hair forms.7

The most common type of test are urine tests. If someone tests positive with a urine test, they usually perform a second, more-sensitive urine test to rule out false positives.7

These tests can appear positive 3-30 days after cannabis use.7

Professional Opinion

Hashish is higher potency than other cannabis products, increasing the risk of overdose. With cannabis products, overdose is almost impossible when smoked, but oral products carry a higher risk.

Cannabis can be a good alternative to other, more dangerous substances. It can still be dangerous, especially when driving or performing other tasks requiring high alertness.

Sources

1.Difference Between Hashish And Marijuana? | Sunrisehouse.com. Sunrise House. Accessed October 6, 2022. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://sunrisehouse.com/quit-abusing-marijuana/hashish/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1665082878697254&usg =AOvVaw0ci1NtV_udsl9L3cbvZBm0

2.What is Hashish (Hash Drug)? (Effects, Addiction & Withdrawal). Published May 14, 2021. https://www.addictiongroup.org/drugs/other/hash/

3.Hashish—A Short History. Narconon International. https://www.narconon.org/drug-information/hashish-history.html

4.Ashton CH. Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: A brief review. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2001;178(2):101-106. doi:10.1192/bjp.178.2.101

5.Antoniou T, Bodkin J, Ho JMW . Drug interactions with cannabinoids. CMAJ. 2020;192(9):E206-E206. doi:10.1503/cmaj.191097

6.Indiana Laws and Penalties. NORML. Accessed October 6, 2022. https://norml.org/laws/indiana-penalties-2/

7.Marijuana (THC) Testing | Labcorp. www.labcorp.com. https://www.labcorp.com/help/patient-test-info/marijuana-thc-testing

Images

https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/hash https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hemp-or-cannabis-leaf-isolated-on-white-background-top-view-flat-lay-template-or-gm1158372978-3163 96506