Getting a Medical Marijuana Card does not automatically make you an expert, right? There is so much to learn. For example, do you know the differences between resin and rosin products? Most people new to Medical Marijuana don’t. Even some patients with decades of experience using cannabis do not know the differences. If you are among them, this post is for you.
Resins and rosins are starting to catch on in Utah. They have been around for quite a while, so recreational states like California and Colorado already have a pretty robust resin and rosin market. Our market is likely to get stronger as more patients become familiar with the two concentrates.
So, what are the differences? For all intents and purposes, there are only two that concern patients:
Both resin and rosin are concentrated forms of cannabis-derived products. To understand what that means, let us go back to the basics of how processors create CBD and THC products. Both products start with raw plant material from which cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds are extracted.
Processors can extract the valuable compounds through a number of different processes. Regardless of the chosen process, they then have options as to what they do with what they get. Herein lies the difference between resin, rosins, and other types of cannabis products.
A Medical Marijuana resin is almost pure extract. All the cannabinoids (there are more than a hundred of them), terpenes, and trichomes remain intact. Extraction is achieved with some sort of solvent like ethanol or carbon dioxide.
A Medical Marijuana rosin is also a concentrated extract. None of the cannabinoids, terpenes, or trichomes are removed. Extraction method is what makes it different. When creating a rosin, processors don’t extract with a solvent. They generally use high heat and pressure instead.
As a side note, processors often take their cannabinoid concentrates and further separate components to make different types of products. For example, a processor might want to make a THC-rich vaping liquid. None of the other cannabinoids are desirable, so THC will be separated from the concentrate along with a few terpenes. Only those compounds will go into the vaping liquid.
The other significant difference between resins and rosins is relative potency. Resin creation is a bit more difficult and exacting. However, the result tends to be a more potent product. Solvent extraction allows processors to get the maximum amount of THC with every batch.
Rosin production is a bit easier and considerably less exacting. As a result, THC levels do not tend to be as high in rosin products. This is not to say that they are impotent, just that they aren’t as strong as resins.
Here in Utah, it is illegal to smoke Medical Marijuana. The best way to use a resin is to vaporize it in a vape pen. Some resins can also be taken orally, but always check with a PMP before doing so. Also be careful. Go slow when trying resins for the first time. Remember that they are concentrates. You are going to get a lot more kick from a resin as compared to non-concentrates.
As always, your QMP and PMP are your best friends in figuring out how to best utilize Medical Marijuana. Should you choose to look into resins and rosins, do your research. Ask a lot of questions. Get as many answers as you can from PMPs and patients who already have experience. The more you know about Medical Marijuana concentrates, the better off you will be in determining what is best for you.
