As research continues to happen on cannabis, what we know about naturally occurring cannabinoid continues to expand. Today, cannabis enthusiasts have a vast range of means to consume their favorite cannabinoid and enjoying its ample benefits.
Within this article, we are going to be exploring a new means of enjoying Delta-9 THC – Rosin. To adequately define Delta-9 THC Rosin or describe what makes hemp rosin different from flower rosin, hash rosin, and live rosin, it is important to define certain key components. We will be beginning with Trichomes.
What are Trichomes?
An easy way of defining trichomes is by defining them as the numerous tiny crystals noticeable over a hemp plant. Trichomes differ in types and each type of trichome is responsible for a different feature within a plant’s system. In the case of the cannabis plant, trichomes can do many things. Trichromes help the cannabis plant prevent water loss, attract pollen, protect itself from harmful UV rays, control the temperature of the leaf or even produce a bitter aroma to defend the plant from predators.
Trichomes are even more important because they are able to produce cannabinoids and terpenes.
Up next, we have concentrates!
What are Concentrates?
A cannabis concentrate simply refers to a cannabis plant extract that is full with terpenes and cannabinoids. In other words, it is a concentrated plant extract. Rosin actually happens to be a type of cannabis concentrate.
Concentrates can take on various forms including – crumble, distillate, moon rocks, honeycomb, hash and so on. There are various ways of using concentrates ranging from adding to your hemp flower in order to smoke or using it as the base material for your edibles
Finally, let’s talk about Hash!
What is Hash?
Also referred to as hashish, Hash happens to be one of the most popular and oldest forms of cannabis concentrate. While it is not completely known the exact point humans started using hash, the earliest mention of the word hashish dates back to 1123 A.D.
But what is Hash? Simply speaking hash is condensed trichomes. Hash comes in vast varieties but for the sake of this article, we are going to be considering: Dry sift Hash and Bubble Hash.
Dry Sift Hash
Also referred to as dry sifting, this is one of the more popular ways to make hash. To do this, manufacturers begin by freezing the plant material in order to make it easier to break off the trichomes. Subsequently, the plant material is run against a screen. A collection container is set beneath it to collect the trichomes that will fall off.
Once the desired amount of trichomes is collected, it is placed into a specialized press that applies heat and pressure. When this is done, the final product resembles a condensed, light brown brick.
Bubble Hash
Bubble hash on the other hand has a production process using a filtration process that’s similar to dry sift hash. However, it also involves the use of ice and water and solvents. In order to make this type of hash, multiple bags with a special liner & filters go in layers within a bucket, one upon the other.
The first bag has the lowest number of microns within its filter which means there will be a finer mesh. The finer the mesh, the less the amount of material that will be able to get through the filter. As the stack gets higher, the number of microns found within each stack will increase.
Subsequently, one would add cold water to the bag along with plant material, then top that off with ice. The next step is a stirring of the mixture for about 15 minutes with a wooden dowel. This will cause the frozen trichomes to break off from the plant material.
The next step involves lifting the bags from the buckets before draining them. The result of this is a layer-by-layer bubble hash mixture. The filters with the most microns will also contain the most concentrated bubble hash.
The next and final step would be to pat the hash dry of freeze dry it.
What is Delta-9 THC Rosin?
Rosin is a solventless concentrate that comes from either hash or flower. A solventless concentrate is one that’s without chemical solvents. Delta-9 rosins often come across looking like a frothy, gooey, shiny sap with a color ranging from bright yellow to dark gold.
Rosin comes in three types and ranging from the lowest to the highest concentration, they are:
- Flower Rosin
- Hash Rosin
- Live Rosin
How is Rosin Made?
We already mentioned that rosin production happens without the use of any solvents. Solvents are chemicals often used to break down hemp plant matter in order to extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other necessary compounds. This is why with some products, its COA contains a section termed ‘residual solvents’. This shows that the product’s been through testing. This is in order to ensure that there are no residual solvents within the product.
In the case of bubble hash, the solvent used was simply water.
In order to make rosin, all you need is a device which is similar to a hydraulic press in order to apply pressure and heat. The desired medium is put into a mesh bag before being wrapped in parchment paper for flower or hash rosin. When the right heat and pressure settings have been applied a thick, yellowish golden sap will begin to pour from the press indicating it is done.
The method in use would be the same irrespective of the type of rosin in production. Hash rosin, some say, might have a higher concentration of cannabinoids when compared to flower rosin.
But when speaking of Delta-9 THC rosins, the best (in many opinions) type of rosin is the ‘live rosin’ which possesses a higher concentration of cannabinoid and terpenes than flower and hash rosins.
Exploring Live Rosin
With live rosin, the biggest differentiator for live rosin is the source of the hemp. Hemp used for live rosin has to be fresh and not cured or dried. This allows you to preserve its terpene profile. These terpenes are responsible to preserving its distinct aroma while offering other complementary effects.
Dried or cured cannabis is unable to retain most of its terpenes making it unsuitable to be used as an ingredient for live rosin. To make the live rosin, the fresh hemp is made into bubble hash after which it is freeze dried and placed into the press. The ensuing result is live rosin.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Weed Rosin?
Weed Rosin is a term you might have heard here and there. The mistake most people make is conflating weed rosin and delta-9 THC rosin. The unique difference being Delta-9 rosin comes from hemp while weed rosin is from marijuana. Hemp and Marijuana are the same species save for the fact that hemp holds less THC content and is legal while marijuana is not. That aside, actual marijuana rosin production can be the same as Delta-9.
- Why is Delta-9 THC Rosin so Expensive?
Rosin irrespective of the type is often more expensive than other hemp-based products only because of the equipment and labor that goes into creating it. Making concentrates is a unique skill set. To make live rosin, you need a high level of skill, precision, and a vast knowledge of cannabis. There is also special equipment you need to make Rosin and adding these together provides a pretty solid reason as to why rosin is so expensive!
