Cannabis Basics
What Is Rosin?
Rosin is a relatively new form of cannabis concentrate that is produced using just heat and pressure. Find out how rosin is made and the different ways it can be consumed, as well as shopping and potency considerations.
Last updated July 30, 2025 | Published on February 1, 2021
All cannabis concentrates are produced by separating the oils from the plant material, and their final form depends on the processing methods used. Rosin is the term used for the method and the product — a translucent, sap-like substance that is squeezed out of the trichomes in dried cannabis flower, hash or kief.
How is rosin made?
Rosin looks similar to shatter, but it’s made using an entirely mechanical process, without the introduction of butane or any other solvents. Cannabis buds are simply placed between two heated plates and pressed, producing an oil full of cannabinoids and terpenes in just minutes.
Type of rosin
There are a few different types of rosin, each with its own method of production and consistency.
- Flower rosin: Made by pressing cannabis flower with heat, extracting a resinous substance while preserving the plant's terpenes and cannabinoids.
- Dry sift rosin: Created by pressing dry sift— a collection of trichome heads that have been separated from the cannabis plant using fine mesh screens.
- Hemp rosin: Made by applying heat and pressure to hemp flower or hemp-derived products like kief or hash, producing a resin high in CBD while keeping the natural terpenes.
How to consume rosin
Rosin is a versatile cannabis concentrate that can be consumed in a few different ways. It can be:
- added to dried flower and smoked in a joint
- vaped using a concentrate-specific vaporizer or one with a concentrates attachment
- dabbed using a dab rig
If you are new to cannabis, dabbing is not recommended — it is a complicated process that can produce strong, immediate effects and may increase your risk of experiencing negative effects.
What to consider before consuming rosin
There is no recommended dosage for rosin, and as with all cannabis products, the right amount for you depends on many personal factors, including your weight and how much food you ate prior to consumption. Starting low (less than the size of a lentil ) can help minimize the risk of overconsumption.
What’s the difference between rosin and resin?
Cannabis resin and rosin are both concentrated cannabis products, but they differ in how they’re made. To make resin, solvents are used to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant's trichomes. In contrast, rosin is made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash to create a concentrate without solvents. While both are potent, rosin is valued for its solvent-free production process.
What are the pros and cons of consuming rosin?
Rosin is a cannabis concentrate made through a solventless extraction process, but like any cannabis product, it has both advantages and potential downsides.
Pros of consuming rosin
- It’s a smoke-free option: When vaporized or dabbed, rosin produces a vapour that is inhaled, rather than smoked
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No other components: Rosin is made without solvents, offering a concentrate that’s entirely cannabis.
Cons of consuming rosin
- Risk of overconsumption: Rosin is highly potent, consuming too much, especially for inexperienced users. Health Canada advises starting with a very small amount and waiting to assess the effects before consuming more.
- Health risks: While solvent-free, rosin is still a cannabis product with potential health impacts.
What should I consider when shopping for rosin?
Like all concentrates, rosin differs from other forms of cannabis in that it potentially contains a higher concentration of cannabinoids: up to 60% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, for example, in contrast to the possible 30% in raw cannabis. Health Canada recommends starting with a product that contains 10% (100 mg/g) of THC or less. (Note that concentrates available through the OCS that are meant to be inhaled contain no more than 1,000 mg of THC per package.)
