From Hashish to Assassins: A High-Flying History Lesson

Hey CBD fam, ever wonder where the word “assassin” comes from? Buckle up—it’s a wild ride back to the medieval Middle East, and it’s all tied to our favorite chill companion: hashish! At Organic CBD LLC, we’re obsessed with hashish (it’s 99% of our gig!), so let’s unpack this trippy tale and spark up some fun along the way.

The Hashashin: Stoners with a Mission

Picture this: It’s the 11th century, and a secretive crew called the Nizari Ismailis—aka the Hashashin—are making waves in Persia and Syria. These guys were badass, taking out rival leaders with ninja-like precision. But here’s the kicker: legend says they smoked hashish to get in the zone before their stealthy strikes. The story goes that their leader, Hassan-i Sabbah, dubbed the “Old Man of the Mountain,” used hashish to hype them up or chill them out in a hidden paradise garden, prepping them for their deadly gigs.

This tale hit the West thanks to Marco Polo, the OG travel influencer. In his 13th-century book The Travels of Marco Polo, he spun a yarn about these “Hashashin” (or “Assassins”) getting high on hashish before their missions. He claimed Hassan fed them a drug—likely hashish—to dream of paradise, then sent them off to kill. Historians debate if it’s 100% legit (some say “Hashashin” just means “followers of Hassan” in Arabic), but the hashish link stuck, and “assassin” became the word for a hired killer.

Hashish: The Chill Fuel

So, what’s the deal with hashish back then? It was the OG concentrate—sticky, potent, and made from cannabis resin, just like our CBD hashish today (minus the medieval murder vibes). North African and Middle Eastern folks had been using it for centuries—think 10th-century Egypt or Persia’s caravan trails. By the Hashashin’s time, it was a cultural staple, smoked for fun, focus, or spiritual kicks. Our modern CBD hashish keeps that chill spirit alive, sourced from top kief (vintage stash and primo farmers), delivering relaxation without the THC buzz.

From Legend to Legacy

The Hashashin’s rep grew—part myth, part truth—and their name morphed into “assassin” via Old French (assassin, from Arabic hashshāshīn). By the 14th century, Europe was buzzing with tales of these hash-fueled hitmen. Today, it’s a fun footnote: a secret society tied to hashish gave us a word we all know. Pretty dope, huh?

Blaze Your Own Trail

Our CBD hashish lineup—Lifter, CBG, Suver Haze, you name it—nods to that ancient vibe. No assassinations required, just pure, legal chill (under 0.3% THC, 50-state approved). Craving a piece of this history? Hit up organiccbdllc.com/shop and snag some. Pair it with our organic balm for a double-dose of calm—your modern paradise awaits!

Stay chill, stay curious,
The Organic CBD LLC Crew

Sources:

• Polo, Marco. The Travels of Marco Polo, 1298 (translated editions, e.g., Penguin Classics, 1958).
• Lewis, Bernard. The Assassins: A Radical Sect in Islam, 1967—debunks some myths but confirms the hashish legend’s spread.
• Russo, Ethan B. Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Pharmacology and History, 2007—context on ancient hashish use.