
What Is Rosin & How Is It Different From Other Concentrates?
Rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to the plant material. Unlike other concentrates that require solvents like ethanol or butane during the extraction process, rosin offers cannabis enthusiasts a purer product.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about rosin, including:
- What is Rosin?
- What Are the Different Types of Rosin?
- How Is Rosin Made?
- Making Rosin at Home
- How to Smoke Rosin
- FAQs About Rosin
What is Rosin?
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 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


What Are the Different Types of Rosin?
There are three main types of rosin, each with a unique texture and experience:
Flower Rosin
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
Dry Sift Rosin
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.
How Is Rosin Made?
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
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.)


Step 1: Pre-Heat the 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.
Step 2: Prepare the Flower
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.
Step 3: Apply Pressure
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.
Step 4: Collect the Rosin
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.
Step 5: Enjoy
You can smoke the THC rosin right away using a dab rig or store it in an airtight container for later.
How Do You Smoke Rosin?
There are several ways to smoke concentrates like rosin, and the best method depends on your preference. You can:
- Dab: Dabbing is the most popular way to consume rosin. Use a dab rig to heat the concentrate and inhale the vapor.
- Add to flower: Sprinkle some rosin on top of your flower before smoking it in a joint or pipe.
If you don’t want to smoke rosin, infuse it into oils or butter to create potent edibles. Alternatively, you can create topical creams.


FAQs About Rosin
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 vs 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.
Sources:
1. “What is rosin?” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/how-to-make-rosin
2. “Leafly’s guide to rosin: What is it and how do you make it?” Leafly, May 9, 2024, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/dabs/rosin-how-to
3. “What Is Rosin? Here’s Our Complete Marijuana Guide,” WayofLeaf, May 14, 2024, https://wayofleaf.com/cannabis/products/rosin/