Cannabis Rosin – What is it?

Not to be confused with the Rosin used by violinists or Resin which is a generic term for plant resins, cannabis Rosin is a solventless extract made using only heat and pressure.

The key here is that Rosin is solventless. In the past, cannabis concentrates intended for smoking were made using questionable solvents like butane, propane and isopropyl alcohol. While these methods are still used by black market growers, they are dangerous because of the potential contamination of poorly made and unregulated products.

Rosin on the other hand is one of the purest extracts available as it is never exposed to solvents and retains all of the natural terpenes and cannabinoids, making for an ultra clean and flavorful end product. It is important to note however, that the quality of the cannabis used to make Rosin is key to the quality of the end product. Low quality cannabis flower that is contaminated with mold, mildew, etc. means these contaminants will end up in the Rosin as well.

Cannabis Rosin is in high demand in legal states and commands high prices because it is a labor intensive process that yields a pure product that is appreciated for its terpene rich flavor and high potency. It is typically made with high THC cannabis flower and consumed by smoking. Typically, Rosin is consumed by “dabbing” which is a way to smoke high THC cannabis concentrates. Highly specialized “dab rigs” and specialized vaporizers are all the rage as smoking concentrates gains popularity. But Rosin can also be made using low THC hemp flower, which is used to produce CBD.

A commercial Rosin press in action

Origins

Rosin a relatively new to the cannabis scene, surging in popularity in just the last few years. What started out as a viral techinique shared by cannabis enthusiasts on internet forums, Rosin is now a booming business.

Years ago, when cannabis was still highly illegal throughout the country and the only way to get information about growing and processing cannabis was through online cannabis forums, some innovative growers figured out how to make a solventless extract they called “Rosin.” These early techniques involved using just a hair straightener and parchment paper to press cannabis buds and squeeze out “Rosin.” This viral technique was shared widely on the internet and was the beginning of the modern Rosin industry.

These days, there are companies that specialize in making large commercial Rosin presses that sell for thousands of dollars. There are also a growing number of companies producing smaller, more affordable Rosin presses for the home grower.

CBD Rosin Tinctures

As the cannabis industry grows and evolves, new uses for Rosin are being explored. At Welliva, we have introduced our Pure Rosin CBD tincture, which is made using organic hemp Rosin. We love it for its strong floral taste, calming effects and the potential benefits of CBDA.

While still relatively rare in the CBD market, tinctures made using Rosin extracts are growing in popularity. As Rosin extracts retain most of the original terpenes, lipids, cannabinoids and other plant compounds, tinctures made with Rosin may prove to provide greater therapeutic support than traditional CBD tinctures which are made using other types of extracts like CO2 extracts, ethanol extracts or CBD Isolates.

Welliva’s Pure Rosin CBD tincture is rich in CBDA and natural terpenes with a 6:1 ratio of CBDA to CBD. Another interesting development in the cannabis world is research into the potential benefits of CBDA, which is the natural, acidic form of CBD. Learn more about CBDA in this Blog post.

Rosin is yet another exciting step in the rapid evolution of the cannabis industry. Please join our mailing list and stay tuned for more educational articles on everything related to hemp and the cannabis industry.