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Reading time - 7 minutes - January 5, 2022
If you were a novice, you’d probably think that the world of cannabis begins and ends at dry buds. You might think that joints are the only way to consume weed, and that is that. Fin. Well, you couldn’t be more wrong. But who can blame you? It’s not like anyone’s trying to educate you about the wonders of weed. The marijuana plant is an incredibly intriguing thing and something that deserves recognition. The substances that come from cannabis – including cannabis concentrates – are insanely potent and insanely euphoric. One of these is, of course, rosin. Rosin is part of the cannabis concentrate family and today we’ll be telling you how to make it for yourself. Some use a rosin press, but others have DIY methods. We’re going to take you through the various ways to make rosin, and eventually conclude which is the most efficient way. Let’s unstick the rosin.
Cannabis comes in many shapes and sizes, and these forms have increased in the last decade or so. In its simplest and purest form, cannabis is a plant. It has around 400 compounds, 100 of these are referred to as cannabinoids, and 160 of these are referred to as terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for the aromas and flavours of cannabis, which are so distinctive of weed. On the other hand, cannabinoids are responsible for the effects of weed. Cannabinoids react with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which affects the brain neurological pathways. This can alter someone’s appetite, mood, muscles and pain senses. CBD and THC are two of the most well-known and prominent cannabinoids within cannabis.
CBD is not a psychoactive substance, which means it doesn’t have significant mind-altering effects. However, it can help with pain, relaxation and focus. On the other side, you have THC, which is a psychoactive substance. THC is popular for its euphoric effects, and is known to cause the ‘high’ that lots of recreational weed users desire.
The percentage of THC in a product is what adds to its potency. In fact, in the UK, any substance that contains more than 0.2% THC is currently illegal. This goes to show the fear that the UK government has of this substance. Although, there’s no doubt that this fear is old-fashioned and unwarranted.
Each form of cannabis has an average THC percentage that it usually contains. Dry buds, which you vape or smoke, on average, contain anywhere from 10-20% THC. Edibles, such as space cakes or cannabutter, usually contain around 40% THC. Then there are cannabis concentrates. Cannabis concentrates contain around 70% THC.
Want to know how long cannabis can stay in your system? Click here.
If you’re looking for the simplest description of cannabis concentrates then you’d say that they are an especially concentrated version of cannabis. Using heat, pressure and sometimes solvents, cannabis concentrates are a family of various substances that are especially potent. There are many types of cannabis concentrates, and they’ve all been coined elaborate names. Perhaps some of the most well-known ones are: hash, rosin, wax and shatter. Rosin, wax and shatter are all sort of similar but have mildly identifiable differences. If you want to know more about cannabis concentrates then check out our other article here. The truth is, many cannabis-enthusiasts love concentrates because of their potency and precision. It takes time and care to make them, and therefore usually the more-esteemed weed lovers make them. One of these incredible concentrates is rosin. Now, let’s see what rosin specifically is.
Rosin is a cannabis concentrate that is very similar to shatter and wax. It’s often golden in colour and is created through dry bud being heated and pressured. The bud is often placed on a hot surface and squashed by something at a high heat. This will decarboxylate the cannabis and leave a sort of golden, liquid residue. This substance, as stated before, is extremely potent. Here’s what Leafy have to say:
“rosin is made of marijuana flower, hash, or kief and transformed into a full-melt hash oil. The result is a translucent, sappy, and sometimes shatter-like product that can be consumed as rosin dabs. If executed correctly, rosin can rival the flavor, potency, and yield of other solvent-based extraction products.”
Rosin is especially popular because it’s one of the cannabis concentrates that does not require chemicals or solvent to create it. Whilst some require butane or propane to form them, rosin only needs heat and pressure. This is why people so commonly look to rosin when thinking of a cannabis concentrate to create. But, what is the best method to make rosin?
As you’ve seen, in order to make rosin you need pressure, heat and cannabis buds. Because of this, there are two main ways to make rosin. One is a lot cheaper but will lead to a worse product. The other is initially more expensive but will lead to a higher yield and better product. We will go through these two alternative methods and discuss the difference in yields they have.
In our previous article we looked at how to grind weed without a weed grinder, but now we’re going to be looking at how to make rosin without a rosin press. The first method is the DIY extravaganza. Using a hair straightener to make rosin may sound mad, but actually, it makes complete sense. A hair straightener has exactly what you need to make rosin: heat and pressure.
What you’ll need: hair straightener (preferably with heat controls), 2 grams of bud, parchment paper, and knife or dabber to collect rosin.
Method: The problem with using hair straighteners is that, surprisingly, they weren’t made to make cannabis concentrates. They were made to straighten hair. Because of this, you won’t usually have full heat controls on the device. Plus, you’ll have to use your hands to create pressure, and therefore you won’t be able to monitor the pressure through a pressure gauge. Nonetheless, most hair straighteners will have a low, medium and high setting. Start off with a low setting and then slowly get higher. But first, place your cannabis buds in between two pieces of parchment paper. Then place it on your device and press the hair straighteners down together. Press for 30 seconds at a low heat. Then stop and press again for 30 seconds at a medium heat. Then stop and press again for 30 seconds at a high heat. At this point, you should have all of the rosin that you’re going to yield. Carefully take the waste cannabis bud off the parchment paper until you only have the golden sticky liquid. Carefully use your dabber or knife to scrape off the rosin and place it somewhere safe.
It’s thought that the average yield from a rosin press is around 20%. Alternatively, with hair straighteners, you’re looking at around 10%. Therefore, if you’re pressing 2 grams, with a rosin press you’ll get about 0.4g of rosin. This, in the long run, is considered to be more cost effective than perhaps wasting it with hair straighteners. Especially if you’re making more over a longer period of time. But that is for you to decide.
What you’ll need: rosin press, parchment paper, dabber or knife
Method: Firstly, as you did before, place your cannabis buds between two pieces of parchment paper. Make sure it’s evenly distributed and not too bunched together, but don’t worry, you don’t need to grind it. Next, turn your rosin press on. They will all work slightly differently, but all will have full temperature control. Try 150 degrees as a recommended heat. Similarly, place the lever down and hold it for 30 seconds. Do this twice. That should get your full yield produced. After this, scrape your rosin from the parchment paper and enjoy your concentrate.
You can smoke rosin in a joint or vape it in a dry herb vape. Make sure to consume this substance with caution, especially if it’s your first time. Enjoy.
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