Solventless hash is a cannabis extract that uses a non-solvent or physical extraction method to separate the desired compounds from the plant, rather than using a chemical (solvent) process.

As true as this definition is -  It doesn't really tell you how your hash was made. Just as important is the “roots” of hashish.

Looking Back…

Brief history of hash and hashish - “cultures and types.” Cannabis has been used for hundreds of years, and hash has been a large part of that history. From the Himalayas to the Mediterranean Seas of Lebanon, hash has been used around the world for cannabis consumption.  One main reason hashish has been loved for centuries is its potency and pleasurable effects.  Cannabis from centuries ago was not nearly the high quality of cannabis that we enjoy today; this motivated our forefathers to collect (extract) resin off the plant to make a higher potency product, which was “more effective” than the raw plant.

Fast forward a few hundred years to the end of the 20th century, and hash consumption is still a highly desired method of enjoying the cannabis plant.

Hash takes form in many ways. Most subcategories of hash are determined by the process in which they are created. This includes charas, kief, water hash, rosin and live rosin.

Charas

is the simplest form of hash - it is collected by the extractor running their hands through the cannabis plants, causing the resin to stick to their hands. This resin is then removed from the hands and ready to be used/consumed. You will not see this form of hash in dispensaries.

Kief, (including “dry sift,” & pressed kief)

Kief is extracted by using manual forces to separate the resin off the plant. Kief is the simplest of these products as it is a very general term for resin that has fallen off the plant. Pressed kief is the next iteration, where after the keif has been separated from the cannabis plant, it is placed in a high-weight press and put under extreme pressure.  This condenses the kief to provide a slower burning product. Dry sift is created by running cannabis over a specified micron-sized screen to create a more refined product, with fewer plant materials. In some cases, dry ice may be used to chill the plant, aiding in the collection of resin. You may see these forms of hash in dispensaries.

Methods of Consumption for Kief Pressed Kief, and Dry Sift:

All of these can be used as a bowl-topper, in a rolled product, or in a dry herb vape. Whereas, dry sift is the only one in this category considered a dabbable product.

Water Hash

Water Hash is made using ice water to extract the resin to create hash. The reason that ice water is used is to chill the plant and make the resin brittle. The motion of the water and the ice - break off the resin heads. The water is then strained to remove all of the collected resin. This resin is dried and is ready to be consumed or further processed into rosin.

Methods of Consumption for Water Hash -

Water hash comes in various qualities, usually denoted by the micron screen size used in its creation. The quality ranges from a high amount of plant product (with black or brown coloring)  to nearly pure resin heads (appearing to look like sticky sand). The micron screen size will be on the label. If no micron size is given, it is best to presume it is a mixture of sizes. If it is high quality and pure resin heads, it can be dabbed. If not, it's best consumed through smoking on its own or as an addition to flower in bowls and rolled products.

Rosin

The three main types of rosin: flower rosin, hash rosin, and live rosin.  Naturally, flower rosin is created when a cannabis plant is pressed under high pressure and heat. This melts the resin and forces it out of the plant, under pressure. Hash rosin is made from dry sift or water hash. Live rosin is pressed from a water hash or dry sift which was made from a flash-frozen or live plant.

Methods of consumption for Rosin and Live Rosin

These are normally used as a dabbable product but can also be vaped or as an addition to flower.

In the dawn of California’s cannabis culture, hash was extracted and sold to salvage otherwise unusable (trash) product. By this, I mean that a large portion of the hash, back in the day, was made with low-quality flower, trim, and stems.  There was high-quality hash produced, but it was hard to come by and not even an option for many people.

With the emergence of the dabbing market, a whole new demand for cannabis extracts arose. The creation of rosin brought solventless hash back into the spotlight, becoming some of the most sought-after (and highest-priced) products on the market.

And so, today, we are seeing the renaissance of a cannabis tradition that is thousands of years old.

WORDS BY MATHEW CARVALHO

Canna-educator, fostering cultural acceptance & an appreciation of cannabis

Article is approved for mirror publication by Rebud and is minted from an official Rebud wallet

https://www.rebud.com/

I’ll start by saying that the percentage on the label isn’t necessarily what we’ve socially agreed it to be. The percentage is simply the dried weight of the product. To make things more complicated, there’s no set industry standard for calculating percentages.

When acquiring the goods, consider what you want from the experience. There are many variables at play that affect what your highs are going to consist of. Let’s just say, when you have two jars in front of you that say 25%, odds are they’ll give different results. It’s the genetic makeup that grants the experience, not the percentage. Cannabis is a complex plant with different chemotypes, phenotypes, terpenoids, and the like in addition to interacting with our biological systems on a multitude of channels.

In lieu of the intricate, here’s an anecdote my old manager once told me: “Think of it like a car, the cannabinoids and terpenes tell you where you’re going, and the percentage tells you how fast you’ll get there”. Whether you’re looking for something specific or just looking to get high, here are some tips to keep in mind:

The Endo-cannabinoid-system

The Endo-cannabinoid-system, or ECS, is an internal system we all have, whether we consume or not, which regulates our homeostasis through modulating neuronal activity. This system, like cannabis, regulates our mood, appetite, energy balance, pain sensations, fertility, and more.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids: the THC’s, CBD’s, CBG’s, THCV’s and alike. When we consume these phytocannabinoids or cannabis buds, they interact with our ECS, or immune and central nervous systems, causing euphoria and/or symptom relief. The intoxicating cannabinoids pass through our blood-brain barrier and interact with various parts of our brain connected to learning, memory, and coordination. When these cannabinoids bind to a receptor, an event is triggered, and so is cell activity, depending on what is activated. For example, THC increases the desire for munchies while THCV inhibits it. Furthermore, each cannabinoid not only produces assorted benefits, but they also produce increased benefits when used together, otherwise known as the Entourage Effect. To illustrate:

• THC causes euphoria and helps with pain. However, increased potency or environmental factors can cause anxiety.

• CBD is not intoxicating and helps with inflammation and anxiety relief.

• When used together, there’s a synergy, known as the entourage effect. A concept introduced in 1998 by Israeli scientists revealing when the whole plant is used, the healing elements are in balance.

While cannabinoids are responsible for the psychoactive, or mind-altering effects, terpenes play a large role in honing specific sensations.

Terpenes

Terpenes are phytochemical or aromatic compounds that are found in many plants and play a crucial role in dictating how we feel. Smell travels directly to the limbic system, associated with behavioral and emotional responses, hence aromatherapy. For example, Pinene (naturally found in pinecones) can produce a balanced, focused feeling meanwhile, linalool (like lavender) produces a calming and more relaxed effect. On their own, research has shown terpenes provide various medicinal properties - from regulating glucose levels to anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, when you see products categorized as either a Sativa, Hybrid, or Indica, it’s based on that product's terpene profile. Think of Sativa as “Stimulating”, Hybrid as what it sounds like, and Indica as “In da (the) couch”.

Together, Cannabinoids and Terpenes provide synergistic therapeutic effects. Each product’s chemovars, or strain profiles, are valuable for an array of recreational and medicinal objectives. Being a conscious consumer is asking the right questions to tailor the best experience for your individual need.

Also note, we all react to cannabis differently. From how often we consume, to genetic variations (one of the reasons some people don’t feel edibles AT ALL). So, ask questions, diversify, and take note.

Breanna Jernagin - Cannabis Educator/Wellness Guide. Pursuing an M.S. In cannabis science from UMB

Article is approved for mirror publication by Rebud and is minted from an official Rebud wallet

https://www.rebud.com/