In the wake of recent legalization trends, a growing variety of cannabis products are available, with several means of consumption. Smoking cannabis flower remains the most popular method for consuming cannabis, but more users are choosing to dab, smoke, and vape high-potency concentrates for a new and distinct experience.
Live resin and live rosin are two particular types of concentrates that are growing more popular in the legal cannabis market. Learn the basics of live resin and live rosin: how they are extracted, how they differ, and how to consume each cannabis product.
WHAT IS CANNABIS ROSIN?
Rosin is a concentrate made by using heat and pressure to extrude the essential oils from cannabis or hash. Live rosin indicated that the rosin was pressed from hash that was made using fresh-frozen or fresh cannabis buds. More flavor and aroma compounds are present in live bubble hash and live rosin, making it generally louder, tastier, and stickier than non-live hash or rosin. Live rosin and hash rosin are more potent, flavorful and also more shelf-stable than flower rosin.
HOW IS CANNABIS ROSIN MADE?
Cannabis rosin is relatively simple, and can be made by exposing parts of the cannabis plant to heat and pressure, which separates resin from the trichomes and/or plant matter.
Rosin can be made at home with cannabis flower, using simple supplies like a flat iron and parchment paper. For those looking for higher-quality cannabis products, live rosin may be the better choice.
WHAT IS LIVE RESIN?
Live resin is another type of high quality cannabis concentrate and also uses fresh frozen cannabis to preserve the character of the living plant. The difference between live resin and live rosin is the extraction process. Live resin uses a solvent to strip the target compounds from the cannabis and this solvent is later evaporated away. Common solvents for making live resin include butane, propane, and ethanol.
HOW IS LIVE RESIN MADE?
Live resin is made using fresh or fresh-frozen cannabis buds and a solvent, such as butane or ethanol. The solvent is evaporated away at low temperatures under vacuum. Fresh-frozen cannabis retains more of the terpene profile of the cannabis plant. Around 50% of the aromatic compounds of cannabis are lost during the dry and cure process. Fresh-frozen avoids this loss.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVE ROSIN AND LIVE RESIN?
Live resin and live rosin are both high-end concentrates that retain the aromas and flavors from the living cannabis plant. The extra terpenes that are preserved are often responsible for brighter and more intense smells and tastes. The difference between them is the way they are made. Live rosin involves making live bubble hash with ice and water and then using heat and pressure to extrude the live rosin. This process is difficult, time consuming, and yields less than other extraction methods. Live resin uses a solvent to dissolve the resin and this solvent must be purged off later.
HOW DO YOU CONSUME ROSIN AND RESIN?
Both live rosin and live resin are commonly consumed using handheld vaporizers or specialized water pipes called rigs. Rosin and resin can be smoked, vaped, or dabbed.
VAPING LIVE ROSIN AND LIVE RESIN
Pre-filled vaporizers or handheld vaporizers that require a disposable cartridge are ideal for cannabis users who want a simple, discreet method of use. These devices are designed to accommodate various concentrates, such as live resin and live rosin. If you purchase your own handheld vaporizer, you can try a variety of cannabis products in disposable cartridges. Not all of these products are typically available in cartridge form. Some can be consumed with portable vaporizers or e-rigs.
USING WATER PIPES OR DAB RIGS
Typically made of glass, water pipes intended for concentrate use are called dab rigs, but some users prefer to add concentrates to the top of their cannabis flower in a standard pipe. If you consume live resin or rosin this way, be sure to be careful with your dosage. When using unfamiliar cannabis products, always be sure to go “low and slow” to avoid an unpleasant experience.
Dab rigs can be found at your local head shop, smoke shop, or dispensary. Read more about different styles of dab rigs and how they work in this step-by-step guide to using dab rigs.
WHAT ARE SOME DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIVE RESIN AND ROSIN?
Live rosin and live resin both come in a variety of forms. Extractors manipulate the cannabis oil into different consistencies that end up as different products on the shelf at the dispensary:
Different consistencies of live rosin/resin include:
- Diamonds and Sauce: Sauce is a cannabis concentrate also called High Terpene Extract (HTE) and will often be paired with Crystaline THCa. The pair looks like transparent crystals in a yellow to amber-brown liquid. The HTE liquid contains high levels of terpenes but are relatively low in cannabinoids. The THCa is a precursor to THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis and hash.
- Batter/Badder: Batter or badder (spelling varies interchangeably by manufacturer) is a terpene-heavy cannabis concentrate with the appearance of yellow-brown cake frosting, or cookie dough.
- Diamonds: Live resin diamonds are isolated THC crystals, like the ones you may find in sauce. Diamonds are pure THCa.
- Sugar: Live sugar is a form of live resin with the appearance of course sugar granules in globs of honey. Sugar is the same as diamonds and sauce, except the diamonds are much smaller.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE DOSAGE OF RESIN AND ROSIN PRODUCTS?
Keep in mind that both live resin and live rosin are more potent than most other methods of using cannabis. As mentioned before, it is always wise to start small and proceed with caution when it comes to trying new cannabis products.
For vaping, adjust the setting on your vaporizer to lowest heat (if you are able), then begin to inhale gently. Allow up to thirty minutes after inhaling to observe effects before inhaling more.
As for dabbing, we recommend you read step by step instructions, but generally it is wise to begin with a very small amount of concentrate. As with vaping, wait after an initial inhale before inhaling more. It can take several minutes before effects set in, so do not keep using cannabis before you feel the full effects.
If you have additional questions, always feel free to approach your Happy Valley dispensary host.
NEVER COMPROMISE ON CANNABIS QUALITY
If you are wondering whether to try live resin or live rosin, both provide distinct cannabis experiences. Determining which product is right for you depends on your personal preference, although it is always exciting to try out both. Our Happy Valley hosts at our East Boston and Gloucester dispensaries can help. Also, ask about our Live Rosin vape pen cartridges made in our state-of-the-art lab right here in Massachusetts.
Read more about these and other concentrates for more information about the widening world of cannabis concentrates. Be sure to check out Happy Valley’s 710 deals for special pricing on cannabis concentrates and other products.
