When you walk into a dispensary and see rosin and resin on display next to each other, rest assured that it’s no typo. These two extracts are well known for their intense potency, fragrant aromas, and robust flavors. But if you’re considering purchasing one, it’s important to understand their differences so you’re equipped to choose the best product for you. Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these extracts and what to expect from each.
Rosin vs. resin: How are they different?
Rosin and resin are produced using different extraction methods. Resin is produced through a solvent-based extraction process, such as hydrocarbon extraction, while rosin is produced by a solventless method that involves ice water extraction. The different extraction methods result in unique consistencies and textures.
That’s not where the differences end, either. Rosin and resin may both have considerable flavor, but they typically taste distinct even when made from the same strain, thanks to the different extraction methods.
These two highly potent extracts may both appeal to medical marijuana patients, but which should you choose? Read on to learn more about each.
Rosin: Everything you need to know
What is rosin?
Rosin is a solventless extract produced from bubble hash, which is hash made by the process of ice water extraction. Since rosin is produced without the use of solvents, there is no need to purge residual solvents from the extract by exposing it to low levels of heat. This helps further preserve terpenes and cannabinoids, resulting in a close-to-the-plant experience that many medical marijuana patients prefer.
How potent is rosin?
Rosin often has THC content of 70% to 80%, though there are less potent varieties available as well. While most of what you’ll see on dispensary shelves boasts these exceptionally high levels of THC, you may encounter rosin with as little as 50% THC content, too.
How much does rosin cost?
The price of rosin depends on the market in which you’re located. In Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana market, rosin generally costs about $50 to $60 per gram.
How rosin is made, step by step
- Medical marijuana plants are harvested and trimmed.
- The plant material is added to near-freezing ice water, causing the resin glands (“trichomes”) of the plant to become brittle.
- The plant material is agitated within the ice water, causing the now-brittle trichomes to break off from the plant material.
- The ice water is filtered through a series of fine mesh bags, a process that separates the trichomes from the plant material. The final layer that passed through the finest bag is generally the purest, with no bits of plant material left behind.
- The trichomes are scraped from each of the bags and collected.
- The trichomes are left to dry into bricks of hash, known as bubble hash for its comparatively light, airy appearance and feel.
- The bubble hash is added to a device called a rosin press. The plates in the rosin press are heated, and the bubble hash is placed in between. The plates compress together to squeeze the bubble hash until a viscous oil emerges. This oil is rosin.
How to consume rosin
The most common way to consume rosin is with a vaporizer or an electronic dabbing device like a dab pen. The precise directions may differ slightly from device to device, but generally, you’ll heat your device, put the rosin into the designated chamber for concentrates, and then inhale as the rosin is instantly vaporized. Many consumers prefer to “cold-start” their rosin dab, placing the rosin on the nail and heating until it bubbles. This provides a clean and flavorful experience that can be followed up with a hotter, more potent dab.
Additionally, some brands make live rosin vape cartridges and pods. These pre-filled cartridges can be screwed onto a compatible battery that powers the heating element inside the cart or pod. This vaporizes the rosin inside.
Resin: Everything you need to know
What is resin?
Resin is an extract made with a solvent-based extraction process, most commonly hydrocarbon extraction. Not to be confused with the naturally occurring blend of cannabinoids and terpenes that forms within the trichomes of mature plants, the resin on dispensary shelves is a meticulously refined manufactured product.
How potent is resin?
Resin is one of the most potent medical marijuana products on the market, often exceeding 90% THC content. Of course, like rosin, there are lower potency varieties of resin available too. Most often, though, you can expect to find very high levels of THC in the resin you encounter at a medical marijuana dispensary.
How much does resin cost?
The cost of resin can be influenced by the brand you choose, the dispensary you visit, and whether you purchase resin in a cartridge or pod or just as an extract on its own. In Pennsylvania, resin products tend to range from $25 to $50 per gram.
How is resin made?
Resin is made through a solvent-based extraction process, typically using light hydrocarbons like butane and propane. This is a complex, scientific process that separates compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, but we’ll provide a brief, general overview below:
- Medical marijuana plants are harvested and trimmed.
- The plant material is loaded into a key piece of machinery in the process called a closed-loop extraction system.
- The plant material is washed with chilled hydrocarbons, usually butane, propane, or a blend of the two. The hydrocarbons pull cannabinoids, terpenes, lipids, and fats from the plant material.
- This hydrocarbon-compound mixture proceeds to a separate chamber while the plant material is left behind.
- Lipids, fats, and waxes are removed from the crude extract in a step known as winterization or dewaxing, leaving behind a cannabinoid- and terpene-rich oil.
- Once the mixture moves on, the solvent is evaporated off by introducing low levels of heat. Hydrocarbons have relatively low boiling points, which helps preserve terpenes and cannabinoids.
- Any residual solvents that survived the initial solvent removal are removed using techniques like vacuum purging.
- Manufacturers often further refine the concentrate to isolate certain cannabinoids and terpenes or manipulate the consistency of the final product.
How to consume resin
Resin can be consumed in the same ways as rosin: by vaping. You can use a vaporizer (portable or desktop) or an electronic dabbing device to vaporize resin.
What about live rosin and live resin?
When you see resin or rosin that is “live,” it means the extract was made with plants that were either freshly harvested or fresh-frozen immediately after harvest. Because live extracts are made with harvest-fresh plants that contain peak levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, their cannabinoid and terpene content tends to be higher as well. This means even more noticeable aromas and flavors, as well as elevated potency and complex cannabinoid profiles.
Does resin or rosin have more terpenes?
While resin and rosin are both very flavorful compared to most other extracts, rosins preserve a wider range of terpenes, especially live rosins, due to the lack of curing, heating, and processing. Some extraction methods that involve solvents are very efficient at pulling terpenes, so some resins will have very high terpene contents as well. This varies among the growers and brands found throughout the state.
The lack of solvents in rosin also results in an unadulterated taste that often resembles that of the strain used to make the final product. Patients who really love trying different strains of medical marijuana and comparing their flavors and effects will appreciate rosin for this advantage.
Vytal Options offers top shelf medical marijuana extracts
Whether you prefer resin, rosin, or another medical marijuana extract altogether, Vytal Options has what you need, especially our own expertly crafted Vytal Solventless and Belushi’s Farms rosins. Come in to experience the difference! Our six dispensaries throughout Pennsylvania are dedicated to serving medical marijuana patients throughout the Commonwealth, and our pharmacists and associates are standing by to help you find the best possible product for your needs. Find your nearest Vytal Options location to check out our menu and see what we have in stock.
