Not all concentrates are the same. In fact, there’s a wide variety of oils available on today’s Niagara Falls cannabis market, including rosin, live resin, and distillate.
Each extract type has its own unique flavor and effect, and people have different preferences. This article will dissect the differences between different cannabis oils. We’ll show you how to choose the right product for your specific situation.
What Is Distillate?
Distillate is a highly processed concentrate. Solvents like carbon dioxide (CO2), ethanol, or hydrocarbons are used to extract cannabinoids from dry-cured cannabis flower and trim. It has very high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels but less flavor compared to other cannabis extracts, like rosin or resin.
Terpenes are often added to the distillate to create flavors (like lemon or strawberry) or recreate specific strains.
Cannabis distillate is versatile due to its low viscosity. This means it’s a fluid liquid, making distillate perfect for vape cartridges and edibles. Customers looking for discreet or flavor-neutral vaping often enjoy distillate.
What Is Live Resin?
Like distillate, live resin is extracted using solvents like butane or propane. However, instead of extracting from dry-cured flower, fresh cannabis buds are used to retain the terpene, flavonoid, and terpene profile of the live plant.
Because dry-curing changes the chemical profile of the buds, a strain’s live-resin extract will taste, smell, and impact you differently than regular wax or oil extracted from cured buds. Connoisseurs appreciate this flavor, especially when they’ve built up a tolerance to their favorite strains.
What Is Rosin?
Rosin is a solventless extract. Instead of using chemicals, the cannabinoids are extracted with only heat and pressure using a rosin press. This creates a pure, handcrafted product that’s more appealing for health-conscious consumers. Rosin can be made with either dry-cured buds or hash from fresh frozen material.
Although rosin may have a lower THC percentage than distillate, the clean flavor and aroma appeals to cannabis enthusiasts. It’s considered one of the most highly authentic ways to consume extract in its cleanest form without any additional additives.
Here’s a chart comparing the three extract types:
Comparing Rosin, Resin, and Distillate
| Characteristic | Rosin | Resin | Distillate |
| Extraction method | Heat/Pressure | Solvent | Solvent |
| Use of solvents | No | Yes | Yes |
| Potency (THC/CBD levels) | High | High | Very High |
| Terpene preservation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Consistency/texture | Solid | Varies | Liquid |
| Common formats | Dabs/Prerolls | Dabs/Vapes/Prerolls | Vapes/Edibles |
| Price range (per gram | $40-$100+ | $30-$50 | $20-$40 |
| Popularity in New York market | High | High | High |
Choosing Your Highly Authentic Concentrate
People choose different cannabis extracts for different reasons. Each extract provides a different flavor and feeling based on the type.
- Rosin: Solventless, flavorful, clean, artisan-style. Appeals to craft enthusiasts.
- Resin: Solvent-based, terpene-rich, bold, strong aroma. Appeals to recreational consumers.
- Distillate: Refined, high-THC, versatile, less flavor. Appeals to potency chasers(THC).
Nativa’s mission is to provide safe, tested, and Highly Authentic products in Niagara Falls. We carry the highest quality rosin, resin, and distillate in the state. Check out our online menu or visit the dispensary to have one of our expert budtenders walk you through which extract is best for you.
Cannabis is a $38.5 billion industry, and concentrates (oils) account for nearly $2 billion of that. Consumers love the potency of oils, because they focus on the cannabinoids and terpenes that are unique to the cannabis plant. This maximizes the impact it will have on you, while reducing any potential carcinogens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rosin just resin?
No. Resin is extracted using solvents, whereas rosin is solventless and extracted using a heated rosin press.
Is distillate the same as resin?
Distillate and live resin are not the same thing, although you can make distillate with added live resin terpenes. Live resin is only extracted from the live plant, giving it a unique cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid profile.
Which is better, resin or rosin?
Neither is inherently “better,” as it depends on personal preference. If you want the live plant flavor and smell, live resin is the way to go. Rosin is for people who want a product that wasn’t made using chemicals. We also sell live rosin, which provides the best of both worlds.
Does rosin get you higher than resin?
Both rosin and resin have a high cannabinoid content (over 60% THC). They will provide different highs, but one isn’t necessarily stronger than the other. The main reason people choose rosin over other extracts is because it’s extracted without using harsh chemicals.
Is rosin stronger than distillate?
Not necessarily. Distillate has a higher THC content than other forms of extract at the cost of terpenes and other cannabinoids that can provide an entourage effect. This entourage effect can be more powerful than pure THC alone.
Why might I try rosin in Niagara Falls?
People typically choose rosin because it is solventless. This provides a similar flavor and texture to typical concentrates but without the use of chemical extraction.
Is distillate or live resin better?
Both are excellent choices, and which you choose depends on personal preference. Live resin has more flavor, while distillate has a higher THC concentration.
What gets you higher, live resin or distillate?
Distillate has a higher THC concentration and will get you “higher” in that sense. Distillate is typically used in vapes and edibles. However, many people prefer live resin for the entourage effect provided by the terpenes and flavonoids.