Hashish << HASH eesh >> is a drug that affects the mind. It is obtained from the hemp plant, also called cannabis. Hashish usually produces feelings of contentment and relaxation, but it may make a person sad, nervous, or worried. To a person who takes a strong dose of hashish, colors may appear very bright and flowing. Sound and music may seem alive and touchable. Near objects may appear distant, and minutes may seem like hours. In the United States, Canada, and many other countries, laws prohibit the possession, sale, or distribution of hashish, except for approved medical research.
Most hashish users smoke the drug in a pipe, but some mix it with food or drink. The drug is most powerful when smoked. The effects also depend on the size and purity of the dose, the mood of the user, and the circumstances in which the drug is used. Hashish loses strength after a long period of storage.
A chemical in hashish called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects the brain and nervous system. Large amounts may produce hallucinations, during which the user sees or hears things that do not exist. A user also may experience delusions (false beliefs about reality). In addition, THC decreases muscle coordination. The effects last for several hours.
Hashish does not generally lead to physical dependence, as do heroin, alcohol, and some other drugs. But the THC in hashish can be addictive in some users. They may find it hard to stop using the drug. They may become more interested in taking hashish than in their work, family, or friends.
Hashish and marijuana both come from the hemp plant, but hashish contains from five to eight times as much THC as does marijuana (see Marijuana). Hashish is a sticky substance, called a resin, that is obtained from the top of the plant. Marijuana is made by drying the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. The hemp plant grows in most parts of the world. But most hashish comes from the Near East and other parts of southern Asia, where it has been used for thousands of years. 
