Weed is the dried flower of the cannabis plant, while hash is a concentrate made by collecting the plant's resin glands, called trichomes, and pressing them into a solid. Because hash is mostly trichomes, it is usually stronger than flower and feels a little different to smoke. Saint John Bud Express carries both for customers in Saint John, and this guide compares them so you know what to expect.
What is weed?
The dried, cured flower. "Weed" usually means the buds of the female cannabis plant, harvested, dried and cured. It is the most common way people buy cannabis.
Everything in one package. Flower contains the trichomes plus the plant material they sit on. That plant matter means less THC by weight than a concentrate, but it also gives flower its look, texture and familiar burn.
Huge variety. Thousands of strains, from budget to top-shelf, sorted as indica, sativa or hybrid.
What is hash?
Concentrated trichomes. Hash is made by separating trichomes from the plant and gathering them together. Those trichomes are pressed with heat and pressure, rolled by hand, or washed out with ice water and then dried and pressed.
Old-school concentrate. Hash has been made for centuries in many parts of the world, long before modern extracts.
Solid and portable. It comes as blocks, slabs, balls or sticks, from blonde to almost black, and from hard and crumbly to soft and pliable. Our article on kief vs hash explains how hash starts out as kief.
How do hash and weed compare?
- Potency: flower is often in a moderate range, while hash is usually noticeably stronger. Both vary widely by strain and quality.
- Feel: many people describe hash as smoother and more relaxing, with a body-forward effect, though experiences vary.
- Flavour: flower carries the bright, specific terpenes of its strain. Hash often tastes earthier, spicier or more resinous.
- Smell: flower is usually louder. Hash tends to have a deeper, more muted aroma until it is warmed.
- Handling: flower needs grinding. Hash needs a little warming and crumbling.
- Storage: pressed hash protects its trichomes from air and often keeps longer than loose flower.
- Amount per session: because hash is stronger, a smaller amount usually goes further.
How do people smoke hash compared with weed?
Weed is ready to go. Grind it and roll it, pack a bowl or use a dry herb vape. Our article on pre-rolls vs rolling your own covers the main options.
Hash usually gets mixed in. The most common method is to warm a small piece, crumble it, and sprinkle it into a joint or bowl with flower. That helps it burn evenly.
Hash on its own. Some people smoke small pieces in a pipe or bong, on a screen or a bed of ash, or in a vaporizer that handles concentrates. Check your device's instructions first.
Which is better for beginners?
Flower is usually the gentler start. It is easier to measure a small amount, the effects build quickly so you can stop when you have had enough, and there is a huge range to try.
Try hash once you know your tolerance. When you do, start with a small crumb mixed into flower and see how it feels before using more. Some people find hash catches them off guard because it looks like so little.
Which offers better value?
It depends on how you use it. Hash usually costs more per gram than flower, but you use less of it per session. Budget flower is hard to beat for daily rolling, while a small piece of hash can stretch a bag of flower further.
Should you keep both on hand?
Many people do. Flower for everyday smoking, and a little hash to add depth or strength when you want it. For a full guide to types, quality and uses, read our hash and kief guide.
The Bottom Line
Weed is the whole dried flower; hash is its trichomes concentrated into a solid that is usually stronger, earthier and longer-keeping. Start with flower if you are new, then try a small crumb of hash mixed in. Browse our hash and flower, delivered with weed delivery in Saint John.
