CBD concentrates are known as the quintessential CBD product for connoisseurs needing an extra holistic and therapeutic kick. There are so many out there to choose from. CBD isolate powders, CBD waxes, CBD crumbles, and CBD shatter. All are incredible ways to get hemp-derived goodness into your body.
However, there are two new kids on the block looking to steal the spotlight away from the aforementioned: CBD live resin and CBD live rosin.
Here, we’re going to look at CBD live rosin, arguably the more superior of the two. What’s so special about it? How can it help you? How do you use it properly?
- CBD live rosin is one of the most highly-sought-after CBD products in the world — very high percentages of natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds
- Made using frozen full melt bubble hash extracted using only heat and pressure, no solvents used in the process, incredibly clean — best for “health kick” users
- You can make your own CBD rosin style product at home — just purchase your own flower or hash and use a pair of your own hair straighteners
- Dabbing (flash vaporization) is the best way to use CBD live rosin — immediate hit, high bioavailability, very effective
- CBD live rosin is easily accessible and legal across all 50 states (incl D.C) — however, Idaho + Nebraska don’t allow it under state law
What is CBD live rosin?
Live rosin is the newest and arguably most natural solventless extraction method creating waves in the cannabis industry. Created using full melt bubble hash (also referred to as ice water hash). Full melt bubble hash is made from frozen hemp flower that’s not been dried or cured, preserving all the natural hemp elements. Natural hemp elements include cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, CBN, and CBG, as well as terpenes (linalool, limonene caryophyllene) and flavonoids (cannaflavines A-B-C, vitexin, apigenin).
The end result is a potent, highly-concentrated cannabis concentrate that’s as close to varieties of cannabis as you can get, making it a premium, highly-sought-after cannabis-derived product.
Live rosin’s appearance varies depending on several factors
Depending on the temperature during extraction, CBD live rosin either has a butter, honey, sap, or sugar-like consistency. Often a beautiful light gold brown or tan color. Can sometimes look like melted CBD crumbled. Weirdly pleasing to the eye!
The smell and taste of live rosin is on another level
Thanks to the preservation of monoterpenes and other beneficial plant compounds, live rosin’s smell and taste are damn-near superior to all other hemp-derived concentrates. Not too overpowering but enough to make you want to use it. Incredibly fresh. When smoked, it does have quite a noticeably strong aroma. Will 100% fill a room. Not as pungent as cannabis or hemp flower, though.
Taste-wise, you’ll be in for a surprise. Depending on the variety of cannabis and strain used, the flavor can be rich, skunky, and weedy – pretty damned strong, to be honest. The taste is actually comparable to the smell of hemp or cannabis flower.
CBD live rosin doesn’t require a complex creation method
As mentioned, CBD live resin is typically made from full melt bubble hash using frozen or live hemp flower.
Making bubble hash is actually quite simple. The frozen hemp flower is placed into a mixture of water and ice, slowly agitated to naturally release the trichomes, and then placed into a series of mesh bags with varying fineness to get rid of the unnecessary plant material. Once all the hash is collected, manufacturers use advanced low heat and pressure machinery to extract all the beneficial plant elements, turning it into an oil-like consistency.
Manufacturers use this extraction method because it requires no solvents. It's a very clean process and doesn’t result in any leftover or unwanted residue. No additional cleaning or purifying needed. What you get is an exemplary CBD concentrate product with a high cannabinoid and terpene profile designed purely for the “health kick” crowd.
How to make CBD live rosin at home (DIY-style)
Because CBD live rosin is so simple to manufacture, you can even make it at home using everyday equipment (you may need to purchase other additional equipment for better results). You don’t need a college or university degree in how to make cannabis products. It’s safe, effective, and efficient.
So, what do you need to have in order to begin?
- A decent rosin presser. These aren’t cheap and can cost upwards of $1,000 dollars or more to purchase but they’re totally worth the money. Some have different temperature settings and pressure controls. You can purchase a manual or electric type. We prefer the latter but the former is cheaper (generally).
- If money is tight, a good pair of hair straighteners with adjustable temperature control is a cheaper option. Sounds weird, right? It actually works. You will need to use the heated straightener plates to press and squeeze the CBD flower, hash, or kief.
- Purchase high-quality CBD flower, hash, or kief. Make sure it’s from a reputable brand. Check the COAs for cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Ensure it’s from organic farms with above-board cultivation practices. US-grown hemp preferred over internationally imported.
- Unbleached parchment paper
- Container or dabber to collect the extracted rosin
And here’s how you make live rosin (with a hair straightener):
- First, set your hair straightener to around 255-330 degrees Fahrenheit. Most don’t go lower than this, to be honest, so you might end up with less terpenes but more cannabinoids.
- Grab your parchment paper, cut out a 4×6” piece (4×4” is fine too), and fold in half.
- Place the plant material (hash, flower, or otherwise) between the paper fold. You don’t have to break it up and spread it along the entire length of the paper. Just somewhere in the middle. Flatten the material a little with your thumb, pressing it down with some weight behind it.
- Grab your straighteners, place the parchment paper with the plant material inside onto the heat plates (making sure the plant material is lined up with the heat plates), and press down firmly with a lot of pressure. You’ll most likely hear a sizzling sound as the heat plant material starts to heat up and the resin begins to melt. Repeat two or three times to get all of the goodness out.
- Take the parchment paper away from the straighteners, unfold it, and take a look at the end result. You’ll see a gooey-like substance around the flower. That’s your rosin. Remove the plant material and set it to one side.
- Take your collection tool (a round-headed dabber is your best option) and roll it gently across the rosin goo, which is sticky enough to collect quite easily. This is quite a long process, so be patient with it. Collect as much as you can.
- Place your collected rosin onto a clean piece of parchment paper. Flatten and heat slightly with your fingers.
- Open the parchment paper again and you’ll find a nice sticky rosin product ready to be dabbed til your heart’s content.
Why optimal temperature is vital
Temperature plays a key role in how your CBD live rosin will turn out.
Lower temperatures of around 150-250 degrees Fahrenheit retain a higher percentage of terpenes but a lower percentage of cannabinoids (though you may still preserve many precursor acids in the mix). Due to the high terpene profile, the live rosin tends to be far more flavorsome. Resembles honey or stringy butter.
Higher temperatures of around 255-330 degrees Fahrenheit result in a higher cannabinoid count but a much lower terpene profile. Less pungent flavor but still enough to satisfy.
Dabbing is the best way to use CBD live rosin
CBD live rosin is extremely versatile insofar as the number of ways it can be consumed, though we honestly believe dabbing it using a quality dab rig or dab pen is the best way to get that rosin goodness inside you.
Why dabbing CBD live rosin is better than any other delivery method
Dabbing is a form of flash vaporization. You get a very strong and immediate hit. Effects and benefits happen almost instantly (roughly 5-10 minutes after consumption). Doesn’t get broken down or metabolized by the digestive system. Shoots straight into the bloodstream via the lung’s small air sacs. No need to wait around. Bioavailability is also high. Upwards of 30-35%. Highly effective.
How dabbing actually works
Dabbing any CBD concentrate (CBD live rosin or otherwise) is pretty simple once you’ve done it a couple of times.
Here’s what you need:
- First, a decent dab rig. Looks pretty much like a bong. Cheaper options start as low as $50-$60. More expensive options can set you back roughly $100-$250. Some creative, artistic, and bizarrely-shaped dab rigs can cost thousands of dollars. You don’t need this. Go for a cheaper one. Even a $50-$100 one is perfect if you’re a beginner.
- Second, a “nail”. This is what you place the concentrate in. Looks very similar to a bowl belonging to a bong. Comes in three different materials: quartz, titanium, or ceramic. Titanium is the most common. Can withstand high temperatures. Quartz are cheaper and take longer to heat.
- Alternatively, an e-nail. E-nails are devices that automatically heat up the concentrate. You simply place the device into a power supply, adjust the temperature, and away you go. Great alternative to heat torches. Way more accurate as well.
- A dabber. Simple and straight-forward. A little tool to place the CBD live rosin to the nail (can be spoon or paddle-shaped).
- Finally, the CBD live rosin itself.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Step #1: Place water in the dab rig’s largest container. About a quarter full.
- Step #2: Scoop the CBD live rosin out of the product jar and onto the nail. Make sure to place a small amount to the nail on your first go. No need to overdo it. Most CBD concentrates are potent. Maybe try a 5-6 mg dab first and see how you go. Once you have the right amount, place the cap over the nail.
If you’re using a heat torch, use the tip of the flame to heat the nail. Go underneath and around the sides until the rosin melts away and begins to bubble/produce a vapor. If you’re using an e-nail, simply adjust the temperature and wait two minutes to reach optimal heat.
- Step #3: Place your mouth over the mouthpiece and inhale. Take a short, deep breath in to get all the rosin vapor into your body and exhale. Repeat if necessary. Make sure you continue heating the nail as you’re inhaling.
- Step #4: Once you’ve finished, clean out the nail and pour out the water ready for the next time you want to use it.
CBD live rosin vs CBD live resin
| Live Rosin | Live Resin |
|---|---|
| Made from frozen or live full melt bubble hash | Made from frozen hemp plant matter (not bubble hash) |
| Solventless extraction | Solvent extraction |
| Up to 80-85% CBD potency + high terpene percentage | Up to 80% CBD content + lower terpene percentage |
| Federally legal | Federally legal |
| Good for anxiety, stress, and relaxation | Good for pain, inflammation, and general wellness |
CBD live rosin vs. CBD wax vs. CBD isolate crystals
| Live Rosin | CBD Wax | CBD Isolate Crystals |
|---|---|---|
| Sap, honey, butter, or sugar-like consistency | Soft-wax or butter consistency with a yellow hue | Pure white powder or crystal |
| Carries a high percentage of all plant compounds | Carries a high percentage of all plant compounds | Carries only CBD and no other plant compounds |
| Heat and pressure extraction using frozen bubble hash | Butane Hash Oil (BHO) or CO2 extracted | CO2 extraction + additional purification processes |
| Federally legal | Federally legal | Federally legal |
CBD live rosin is federally legal across all 50 states
Provided your CBD live rosin is derived from hemp carrying <0.3% THC and not marijuana containing more than 0.3% THC, it’s perfectly legal on the federal level. You’re free to purchase it from any store or online across all 50 states without any trouble from law enforcement.
If you’re after high-THC live rosin derived from marijuana, you’re outta luck on the federal level. Marijuana and its products are federally banned. However, 15 US states (incl. D.C.) allow all types of recreational marijuana products. These states include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Oregon
- Maine
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- South Dakota
- Vermont