What’s the Difference Between Resin and Rosin?

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Concentrated cannabis extract is extremely high in THC. And two of the most common concentrates you’ll see at any dispensary are resin and rosin. But what’s the difference between the two? If you already use concentrates, you’ll know how versatile they are. You can dab them, smoke them in a bowl, sprinkle them into your blunts, and even use them on-the-go in a nectar collector. What’s more, you get a lot more bang for your buck at the dispensary with a concentrate.  

If you’re not too familiar it’s definitely worth learning more about them. Though most people know rosin and resin are different in some way, few know what sets them apart from each other. This comes down to one important factor: how they are extracted. So how can you identify resin from rosin? Badder from budder? Bubble hash from dry sift? Leave it to us to be your guide! 

At Medallion Wellness, we’re experts in concentrates, flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and more. We offer a wide selection of cannabis products for in-store pickup or delivery in Modesto and the surrounding area. We’ll give you the lowdown on how resin and rosin differ, the advantages and disadvantages of both, and provide a curated selection of client favorites from on our online menu. You can do everything online, but if you want to speak to a person to ask a specific question, get in touch with our budtenders at (888) 354-0139. For Modesto delivery, please call (209) 222-3110.

About Concentrates

Even if you have zero experience with resin or rosin, you’re probably familiar with some cannabis concentrates already. Hash and vape oil are both good examples. One hash-making method is kief, the (marvelous) remnants from your grinder. After collecting, compacting, and heating a large amount of kief, you can make a solid lump of hash. Similarly, if you vape your THC, the oil in your pen is a liquid concentrate. The oils in vape cartridges are extracted in a similar way to some of the solid concentrates we’ll talk about below.

Common Cannabis Concentrates

Concentrates are often sub-categorized by their consistency, especially solid concentrates like resin and rosin. In most dispensaries, you’ll find at least one or two examples of the following.

  • Budder (softer, cake mix-like consistency) 
  • Badder (softer still frosting-like consistency) 
  • Shatter (hard, praline-like consistency)
  • Crumble (harder, honeycomb-like consistency)
  • Sugar (crystalline but sappy consistency)
  • Sauce (gooey, applesauce-like consistency)

Resin & Rosin

Resin and rosin are both cannabis concentrates. Pale yellow, chartreuse, amber, or golden brown in color, concentrates are usually sold by the gram in small, airtight containers. They are made using the source of the plant’s cannabinoids, sticky, mushroom-shaped appendages called trichomes. Trichomes produce sticky sap, brimming with THC. And boy, do concentrates contain a lot of THC. Often exceeding 50-60% THC, concentrates are many times stronger than your average nug of flower. In fact, some of the strongest concentrates have been found to contain a staggering 80% THC! (1) 

Advanced Extraction Techniques

Humans have cultivated weed for thousands of years, but we have only recently been able to refine the THC extraction process. Using modern science, from pressure heating to chromatography, we don’t degrade or destroy their valuable psychoactive properties. And, it’s the method of extraction that is one of the key differences between resin and rosin: one uses solvents, while the other is completely solvent-free.

About Cannabis Resin

Cannabis resin is extracted using hydrocarbon solvents. A solvent is a chemical that can split a substance into its component parts. And to make resin, there’s more than one solvent to choose from. Ethanol, butane, hexane, propane, and CO2 are four of the most common solvents used in resin extraction. (2) Sometimes, the extraction method is in the name of the product, like butane hash oil (BHO). But sometimes it isn’t, as with FECO (full extract cannabis oil), which is made using ethanol. Making a cannabis concentrate begins with the plant itself, which can be live or cured.

Live vs. Cured Resin

  • Live Resin: Made from flash-frozen cannabis instead of dried, live resin is usually extracted using a butane/propane mix. In appearance, it resembles honey that’s been in the refrigerator a while, as it’s more clumpy and crystalline. A higher concentration of terpenes makes live resin more aromatic and flavorful.
  • Cured Resin: Cured resin is made from dried flower, so it takes longer to produce. Wax and shatter are both examples of cured resin concentrates. It’s also been around a lot longer than live resin. It’s usually “flatter-looking” than live resin and a deep honey brown in color. There are fewer terpenes in cured resin, so it has an aged, less sweet flavor profile.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Solvent-extracted concentrates are many times more powerful than flower, so a little goes a long way! Resin retains large quantities of THC and CBD, so it’s no wonder it’s popular with both the casual smoker, and those looking to address medical issues. It also preserves the flower’s original flavor profile well. 

Solvent extraction is extremely efficient, but it has its drawbacks. Chemical residues make it a less “clean” choice. It’s also risky, and a very clear example of “don’t try this at home.” Hydrocarbons are highly flammable, reactive substances subjected to exceptionally high pressures during extraction – often as much as 10,000 psi (pounds per square inch). To put that into perspective, the tires on your vehicle should be between 28 and 36 psi! And without an experienced and knowledgeable extractor at the helm, they can (and do) cause explosions!

About Cannabis Rosin

Compared to other concentrates, rosin is a relatively new kid on the block. It is produced without solvents by simply applying sustained pressure at high temperatures. It’s a much simpler process as it doesn’t require a lab, complicated apparatus, or hydrocarbons (and hydrocarbon safety protocols). Instead, large-scale rosin production usually involves a mechanical press. The solventless technique works by applying mechanical pressure to cannabis flower at a moderate temperature. That’s it! In fact, making rosin is so straightforward, you can do it yourself with just a piece of parchment paper, some hair straighteners, and some steady hand pressure!

  • Flower Rosin: Made from whole dried, cured flower. Flower rosin has a rich, robust flavor profile but it’s usually less potent. Because it comes straight from the plant, processing time is much shorter.
  • Hash Rosin: Ice water hash (or bubble hash) production agitates frozen flower with ice and water. Using a paddle called a trichome separator, plant matter is sieved through a series of nylon filter screens, harvesting THC-rich trichomes before drying. Hash rosin is usually more potent than flower rosin.
  • Dry Sift Rosin: Dry sift uses no ice or water, instead only sifting screens are used to filter out unwanted trim debris. There’s minimal space and equipment required and the final product can be used immediately with no drying required.

Advantages and Disadvantages

As there’s no scientific apparatus required, and no volatile substances, rosin is simpler, safer, and more cost-effective than resin to make. Extracting cannabis rosin is chemical-free which is a factor for people looking for the most natural, unadulterated products. Because of this, rosin has a reputation for being cleaner and healthier than resin. 

Although rosin is a great cannabis concentrate, there are one or two disadvantages with each type. Flower rosin often contains more unwanted materials like oils and fats, ice water extraction takes time and patience to perfect, and dry sift takes more effort and labor as there’s no water or ice involved.

For Cannabis Newcomers

At Medallion Wellness, we warmly welcome clients who are just getting into weed. It’s great to have you here! And for our new friends, we have a little tip: Don’t jump in at the deep end with concentrates. Their exceptional strength requires some cannabinoid tolerance in the body beforehand. Too much THC can cause “green-out” or “greening” which can involve dizziness, nausea, and anxiety. So if this is your first step into the cannabis world, leave the dabs for later and stick with pre-rolls, flower, and edibles to start with. And when you’re ready to take a look at our concentrates collection, we’ll be right here waiting!

Resin & Rosin Concentrates at Medallion

Resin Selection

Rosin Selection

Please note that some products are only available at specific locations. Shop our full menus here!

Cost of Live Resin in Modesto, CA

Now you’re clued up on concentrates, you’re ready to place your order for pickup. Alternatively, we’ll come to you. Get weed delivery in Modesto, Fresno, and Waterford at Medallion Wellness. And watch out for our brand new location in Merced. Questions about concentrates? Give us a call at (888) 354-0139 or fill out a quick form on our website. You can read more about cannabis on our blog, and don’t forget to like and follow us on Instagram!

References

  1. NIDA. Cannabis (Marijuana) Concentrates DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana-concentrates. June 25, 2020 Accessed November 17, 2022.
  2. Lazarjani MP, Young O, Kebede L, Seyfoddin A. Processing and extraction methods of medicinal cannabis: a narrative review. Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021;3(1). doi:10.1186/s42238-021-00087-9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8290527/ 
  3. Lamy FR, Daniulaityte R, Zatreh M, et al. “You got to love rosin: Solventless dabs, pure, clean, natural medicine.” Exploring Twitter data on emerging trends in Rosin Tech marijuana concentrates. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2018;183:248-252. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.10.039 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5803369/ 
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