Q & A: What Is The Difference Between Pot and Hash?

Q: I am a parent and I often hear my kids talking about pot and hash. I always thought that they were synonymous. Is there a difference between the two?

A: Your suspicions are correct. Pot and hash are often considered to be interchangeable terms. There are lots of similarities but the reality is that there is also a slight difference between the two.

Let me explain. Both are derived from a genus of flowering plants known as cannabis. However, there are three putative species in the cannabis genus: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. The natural habitat of all three is Central and South Asia.

Both pot and hash provide a high from the THC content in the plant. While both can be smoked or eaten, the THC content determines the potency of different forms in which it is used.

The herbal form consisting of flowers, leaves and stalks of female plants and the products developed from it, regardless of use, is known as marijuana and is the most widely consumed form of cannabis. The THC content in marijuana differs according to the specific species of cannabis used and may vary from 3-22%. Cannabis strains used to make industrial hemp have as little as 1% THC.

The resinous form of cannabis is known as hashish or hash. Hash is made from resin produced in the flowers of cannabis. Depending upon purity, it is either golden brown or black and normally more potent than marijuana. Powder made from trichomes, hair on the surface of the leaf or stem, is known as Kief. It is compressed into cakes of hash or consumed in powder form.

Hash oil is another form in which cannabis is used. This is resin extracted with solvents and concentrated as thick oil. Hash oil may have 60% THC content or even more.

What is referred to as pot in the US is the result of resin, leaves and stalks all chopped up and mixed. This results in a lower potency. Hash is just the resin of the cannabis plant, pressed and made into cakes and is more potent than pot. Sensemilla, which is pot without seeds, can be as potent as hash.

The main ingredient in pot as well as hash, THC, acts upon the nervous system and has short term effects that include panic attacks, extreme paranoia and anxiety. Long term effects of marijuana are not very clear. Marijuana is also priced for its medicinal value. It is effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting and relieves mild pain. It is known to increase appetite in AIDS patients and also those undergoing treatment with chemotherapy. However, it should be consumed only moderately to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Marijuana is the least harmful among recreational drugs. However, there are different factors that influence how long THC remains in your system. The result of a marijuana drug test depends largely upon the amount of marijuana consumed by the user. For accurate and correct results it is imperative that a dependable marijuana drug test is used.

Anne Hamilton