Cannabis Basics
What Is Rosin?
Rosin is a relatively new form of cannabis concentrate that is produced using just heat and pressure. This article will walk you through how rosin is made and the different ways it can be consumed, as well as shopping and potency considerations.
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.
What to consider before consumption
Like most cannabis concentrates, rosin is a versatile product: It can be added to dried flower and smoked in a joint, vaped in a concentrate-specific vaporizer or one with a concentrates attachment, or 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.)
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 are the pros and cons of consuming rosin?
Unlike butane hash oils (BHOs) such as shatter, which use solvents in the production process, rosin contains nothing but pure cannabis.
Highly concentrated, rosin should be consumed in smaller amounts than dried cannabis flower. The potency of rosin increases the potential for overconsumption. To minimize the risk, Health Canada recommends starting with a very small amount, especially if you are trying a new product, and waiting to see how it affects your body.
Dabbing or vaping rosin offers a smoke-free option to inhaling dried cannabis flower, although there are still risks associated with consuming cannabis.
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.)
