For well over a month now smokers of the popular yet illegal drug have been unable to score anything but the lowest quality hash and even that has now dried up.
Head of the local drugs unit here in Dundalk, Detective Sergeant, Brian Mohan, puts the
dope drought down to a combination of factors.
"It's not something that is specific to Dundalk. It's a national situation. It could be a combination of any number of factors from the conflict in the Middle East and many of the hash producing countries to efforts by dealers in general to change the usual drugs of choice to more expensive options.
"Certainly from our point of view we have been working hard to stem the sale of all drugs in the town and its environs. To this end we have been working with a number of state bodies and community agencies, who have provided invaluable assistance in terms of intelligence on where drugs are being sold, resulting in a number of major seizures of all kinds of drugs."
Speaking to The Dundalk Democrat one regular user of the drug described the situation as "awful".
"Even if you're willing to travel to get it there's still nothing available anywhere and whatever anyone does get their hands on they're keeping for themselves and their regulars."
Another regular hash smoker said: "There's loads of grass around. The town is flooded with it but no-one can afford to buy it. They're doing €50 bags which equates to an evening's smoke to a regular smoker."
Some smokers are finding that giving up smoking hash altogether is the best option while others are seeking alternatives to tide them over the shortage.
"The hash shortage is the best thing that could have happened as far as I'm concerned, because I've given it up altogether," said one long term smoker.
"I was a regular hash smoker for many years but I got fed up of not being able to get it and decided to knock it on the head once and for all.
"It's great. I feel much better in myself and I have a lot more money so it's done me a favour."