13 Things You Should Know About Hash

A small piece of resin. Dark. Compact. Unremarkable. And yet, it holds more history than some museums. Hash has traveled with caravans, shaped cultures, created myths, and today ends up in modern CBD shops with lab analysis and terpene profiles. Ready for a little time travel with a stop in the present? Here are 13 things about hash you should know.

Point 1: Hash is older than almost any scene

The first known mention of hashish appears as early as the 10th century in Arabic writings. Back then, it definitely wasn’t a scene product. It was a deliberately made form of concentrated cannabis. In places like Persia and India, people started collecting the plant’s resin on purpose. They had noticed that the real power and aroma were in the sticky trichomes.

In India, this led to Charas, which is rubbed by hand from living plants. In North Africa, the technique of drying and sieving developed later on. That was a milestone because it made it possible to preserve and transport larger amounts. Hash was one of the very first forms of “cannabis extract.” You could say it was an early form of plant technology, long before labs or stainless steel equipment existed.

Point 2: The myth of the “Assassins”

In the 11th century, a Shia group appeared in the Persian Empire, later known as the “Hashshashin.” Their leader was Hassan-i Sabbah, who lived in the legendary fortress of Alamut. European crusaders later reported about a sect whose fighters supposedly consumed hashish before carrying out political assassinations. That’s supposedly where the word “assassin” comes from.

Historically, though, that’s debated. Many researchers think the term was more of a political smear and a kind of medieval propaganda label. Whether the fighters actually used hashish isn’t clearly proven. The only sure thing: The myth stuck around. And it played a big part in hash being seen as mysterious, dangerous, and rebellious in the West for a long time. History and legend are so closely mixed here, it’s hard to tell them apart.

Point 3: Morocco shaped hash worldwide

You can’t talk about hash without mentioning Morocco. Since the 1960s, the Rif Mountains have become one of the world’s most important growing regions. There, the art of drying, sieving, and pressing has been passed down for generations, often completely by hand. The famous dry-sift method—where dried plants are rubbed over fine screens—was perfected and exported from here.

This technique made hash storable, easy to transport, and internationally known. At the same time, a clear quality code for color, consistency, and aroma developed. All of that mattered. Today, the focus is shifting more and more to Europe. Legal CBD production uses controlled cultivation, modern extraction methods, and transparent lab tests. The craft remains, but the standards are way more precise now.

Point 4: “Famous” people

Every industry has its defining faces. In the world of hash, two names keep coming up.

Mila Jansen is known as the “Hash Queen.” In the 1990s, she developed the Pollinator machine. It’s a device that made the dry-sift technique more efficient and repeatable. She brought structure to a scene that had long been purely handcrafted, and made top-quality resin production accessible to many.

Frenchy Cannoli took a different path. He traveled through India and Morocco, learned traditional methods, and combined them with modern knowledge. He became especially known for so-called “Temple Balls”—hand-rolled, warm-pressed hash with intense aroma.

Both stand for respect for the plant, for sharing knowledge, and for the idea that hash is more than a byproduct. It’s a craft with history.

Point 5: How hash is made

At the center is something tiny: the trichomes. These microscopic resin glands sit on the cannabis plant’s flowers. That’s where cannabinoids like CBD and aromatic terpenes are produced. Hash is basically just concentrated trichomes that have been cleanly separated from the rest of the plant material.

The process follows a simple principle: The resin glands are mechanically separated, either by fine sieving (dry sift) or with ice water (frozen hash / bubble hash). The collected resin is dried and then pressed into blocks or balls. The gentler the process, the better the structure, aroma, and quality are preserved. Temperature, humidity, and clean equipment make the difference between average and premium here.

Point 6: CBD hash is legal – THC hash isn’t

CBD hash is a legal cannabis product within defined limits. In Switzerland, the rule is clear: Cannabis products with less than 1% THC aren’t considered narcotics. Anything above that falls under the narcotics law and is regulated accordingly. So CBD hash is legal—as long as the THC limit is strictly followed and clearly labeled. No promises of healing or medical claims allowed.

Point 7: CBD hash power pack

CBD hash is usually more concentrated than classic CBD flowers. While CBD flowers are often in the 8–18% CBD range, hash is often between 10–30%. Of course, that depends on how it’s made and the quality. By bundling the trichomes, the aroma is richer, the profile more intense, and the overall character more “compact.”

For beginners, moderate CBD levels around 10–20% make sense to get a feel for the intensity and aroma. Higher concentrations are more appealing to people who already have experience with CBD products and appreciate a more pronounced terpene profile.

Point 8: Quality starts with cultivation

Good hash doesn't just happen during extraction – it starts months earlier in the field. Light, soil, and water determine how many trichomes the plant develops and how intense its terpene profile will be. Sunny locations and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil lay the foundation for strong, resin-rich buds.

Timing is also crucial. If you harvest too early, the cannabinoid profile isn't fully developed yet. If you wait too long, the aroma suffers. After harvest, proper drying is key: it's best to hang the plants whole by the stem to preserve as many terpenes as possible.

Bottom line: Hash can only be as good as the raw material it's made from – including the seeds.

Point 9: Storage matters

Hash is more sensitive than it looks. Heat and light attack exactly what makes it special: the terpenes and cannabinoids. If it's stored too warm, the aroma compounds evaporate faster. Direct light speeds up the breakdown of the ingredients even more. The result: less scent, less character.

Ideally, store it cool, dark, and airtight. A glass jar in the cupboard beats any plastic bag. Plastic is often not fully airtight, aroma gets lost, and the material can pick up smells. If you care about quality, protect your hash from heat, oxygen, and light – that way the profile stays as stable as possible.

Point 10: The role of trichomes

Hash is basically nothing more than concentrated trichomes. These tiny, crystal-like resin glands sit on the cannabis flowers and contain cannabinoids like CBD as well as aromatic terpenes. They're the real powerhouse of the plant. When you make hash, you're separating exactly these glands as cleanly as possible from the rest of the plant material.

The more precisely this isolation is done, the higher the quality of the result. Fewer plant residues mean a purer texture, more intense aroma, and a clearer profile. You can often spot good quality by its fine, sandy or slightly oily texture – depending on how it was made.

Point 11: Terpenes are the real star

Lots of people look at the CBD percentage first. Understandable, but that's only half the story. The aroma experience is mainly created by terpenes. They decide whether a hash comes across as earthy and spicy or sweet, fruity, and almost creamy.

This interplay creates the character. Two products with the same CBD content can feel totally different, just because the terpene profile is different. That's exactly where you see how much craft and care really goes into it.

Point 12: Hash comes in many varieties

Not all hash is the same. Appearance, texture, and aroma depend a lot on how it's made. Anything from dry and crumbly to soft and oily is possible. The key is how the trichomes were collected. Here’s a quick overview of the main types:

• Dry Sift
  Dry-sifted trichomes. Usually darker, traditional look, often earthy and spicy in profile.
• Ice-O-Lator / Bubble Hash
  Extracted with ice water. The cold separates the trichomes especially cleanly from the plant material. Often lighter, finer, and very pure.
• Frozen Hash (Fresh Frozen)
  Plant material frozen right after harvest. This helps preserve delicate terpenes better. The aroma often feels fresher and closer to the living plant.
• Hand-rubbed (e.g. Charas)
  Old-school method. Resin is rubbed directly from the plant. Soft, oily, intense.

Point 13: Hash is now a premium lifestyle

The image of crumbly street product is long gone in the legal CBD world. Now it’s all about clean extraction, transparent lab tests, and traceable origins. Sustainable cultivation, controlled processes, and clearly declared values are standard – and that's exactly why the community keeps growing.

CBD hash now stands for conscious enjoyment. For people who care about terpene profiles, pay attention to quality, and want to know where their product comes from. The scene has changed a lot. Less rebellion, more balance. More focus on craft and the plant. When traditional techniques meet modern quality standards, you get something with real character.