What Is Rosin & How Is It Different From Other Concentrates?

Rosin

Also: THC Rosin

Rosin is a flavorful, terpene-rich cannabis concentrate created through a solventless extraction process that involves applying heat and pressure to a harvest cannabis plant.

Rosin is a cannabis concentrate created through a solventless extraction process. It’s made by applying pressure and low heat to cannabis flower or hash. This separates the resinous oils, preserving the cannabinoids (like THC) and terpenes without the use of chemicals. Because of its solvent-free extraction method, rosin is popular among cannabis connoisseurs who value natural marijuana products.¹

There are three main types of rosin, each with a unique texture and experience:

Flower rosin is made by applying pressure and heat directly to cannabis flower. The result is a potent, flavorful extract that captures the essence of the cannabis strain used. It’s the most common form of rosin and one of the easiest to make at home.²

Hash rosin is created from hash or kief, which is made by sifting cannabis to isolate its trichomes—the tiny, resinous glands that contain the cannabinoids. Hash rosin is often more potent and flavorful because it’s made from concentrated plant material.

Dry sift rosin is similar to hash rosin but uses dry sift (another type of kief) as the starting material. It involves the same pressing process as flower and hash rosin, resulting in a smoother texture and consistency.

Rosin is through a solventless extraction method–specifically through heat and pressure. The fresh cannabis plant material is placed in a rosin press, a machine that uses heat and pressure to squeeze the sticky, resinous oils out of the material. This cannabinoid- and terpene-rich substance is rosin.

Making rosin at home is much easier than you might think! With just a few simple tools and some cannabis flower or kief, you can create your own solventless concentrate right in your kitchen.

If you want to try making rosin at home, you’ll need a few simple tools³: 

• Heat-resistant gloves
• Parchment paper
• A dab tool
• Low-temperature hair straightener (no higher than 300°F or 148°C) (Alternatively, you can buy a small rosin press and use that instead of the hair straightener.)
  
  

Set your hair straightener to the lowest possible setting and make sure that it’s under 300°F (148°C). The key is to use low heat to avoid burning the plant material while still extracting the rosin.

Remember to be careful while using the hair straightener because you wouldn’t want to burn yourself.

Place a small amount of flower between a folded piece of parchment paper. This keeps the hair straightener’s heating plates clean, and it’s safer to place the parchment paper between the plates than sprinkling some flower on one side and trying not to mess or waste your precious nugs. Plus, it ensures you press evenly on the flower.

Place the flower between the straightener plates and press firmly for about five seconds. You should hear a light sizzle as the oils are released.

You’re done pressing when you see a wax-like substance. Then, carefully discard the plant material and use a dab tool to collect the rosin from the parchment paper. As the rosin cools, it will become brittle—like shatter.

You can smoke the THC rosin right away using a dab rig or store it in an airtight container for later.

There are several ways to smoke concentrates like rosin, and the best method depends on your preference. You can:

• Dabbing: A dab rig is one of the most popular methods for consuming concentrates. The high heat allows the flavors and terpenes to shine.
  
  
• Vaporizing: Using a dab pen or nectar collector is more portable way to consume rosin.
  
  
• Vape Cartridge: Rosin is one of the few concentrates available in a vape cartridge. You can often find rosin carts that attach to your vape battery or as an all-in-one (AIO), disposable vape. 
  
  
• Adding to flower: You can sprinkle rosin on top of flower for a more potent bowl or joint.
  

If you don’t want to smoke rosin, infuse it into cooking oil or butter to create potent edibles. Alternatively, you can create topical creams.

Rosin is a versatile cannabis concentrate, but how does it compare to others you’ll find on dispensary menus? Here’s a quick guide.

Rosin, as you now know, is extracted from cannabis flower through heat and pressure, which is a solventless extraction method. Resin, on the other hand, is extracted from cannabis flower through the use of a solvent like butane. (Don’t worry, the solvent is removed prior to packaging!)

The biggest difference between rosin and live rosin is the starting material. The “live” refers to cannabis flower that has been fresh-frozen prior to extraction. Rosin (without the “live”) generally refers to a product that was extracted from dried, or cured, flower.

Rosin is extracted directly from the plant material–be it frozen or cured flower. Hash consists of the extracted trichomes of the cannabis plant, which are then pressed into a compact, brick-like product.

Still have questions about rosin? We’ve gathered some of the ones we most hear at our dispensaries to help you understand this flavorful concentrate.

Is rosin more expensive than other concentrates?

Because rosin is made through a time-consuming solventless extraction process, it’s often more expensive than concentrates made with solvents like butane.

Is rosin the same as resin?

Rosin and resin are different types of cannabis concentrates. Rosin is solventless, while resin is made using ethanol or butane.

Are rosin and live rosin the same?

Live resin and rosin aren’t the same. Rosin is made from dried cannabis flower, while live resin uses fresh-frozen cannabis plants to preserve more of the terpenes and cannabinoids.

Is rosin full-spectrum?

Rosin is considered a full-spectrum product because it retains all the cannabinoids and terpenes from the original cannabis plant.

Is rosin the same as shatter?

Rosin and shatter are different in texture and extraction method. Shatter is made with solvents, while rosin is solventless.

More About Rosin

If you’re interested in trying rosin, make sure you buy concentrates from a reputable, licensed dispensary like Verilife. Look for rosin with a smooth texture, golden color, and fresh aroma to ensure you get the highest quality product. Whether making rosin at home or buying it from a dispensary, you’ll get a clear, flavorful experience. And remember to ask your favorite budtender if you have more questions about rosin.