What are the Main Differences Between Shatter, Wax, Resin, and Rosin?

So What are the Main Differences Between Shatter, Wax, Resin, and Rosin?

If you’re new to dabbing, the terms shatter, wax, resin, and rosin can be pretty
confusing. Are they one and the same, or are they different from each other? Well, here’s the
important thing though; they are all cannabis extracts with high THC levels. Their THC levels
can range anywhere from a low of 20% to as high as 90%.
However, they have subtle differences, too, that set them apart from each other.

What is a shatter?

Shatter is named as such because of its ability to shatter easily, especially if you handle
it incorrectly.
Features and characteristics of shatter: Shatter has a smooth, glass-like appearance. It is often light
amber to honey gold in color. Experts say that shatter is one of the purest, as well as
the cleanest forms of concentrates, with a very high THC content.

How is shatter made?: Butane, CO2, and other solvents are used to extract THC and
other cannabinoids. The solvents are then sucked out via a vacuum oven. As the
solvents evaporate and the temperature drops, it will leave behind a glassy liquid that
solidifies into shatter.

How to use shatter: You can use it in your vape pen or dab rig or even to spice up a
joint or bowl. Experiment with wrapping it like a snake around your next joint!
How to store shatter: You should keep your shatter wrapped in parchment paper and
stored in your refrigerator to preserve its glass-like structure.

 

What is wax?

Compared to shatter, wax has a denser but flakier consistency. The best way to
characterize a wax is the consistency of ear wax.
Features and characteristics of wax: Wax has a soft, crumbly, and a bit of a dry texture. It is
dense, creamy, and opaque. Colors typically range from light yellow, like butter, to a
very light brown.

How is wax made?: After extracting the concentrate using butane, the liquid is then
heated up until it becomes gooey yet crumbly in texture.
How to use wax: Similar to shatter, you can use a dab rig to smoke wax or enjoy it on
your joint or bowl.
How to store wax: It’s best to wrap your wax in parchment paper and stored inside an
airtight mason jar. Keep it in a cool and dark place.

 

What is cannabis resin?

When you talk about resin, it is simply the resin glands that cover the buds or flowers,
which are produced only by female cannabis plants. The resin, also called kief and
hash, contains most of the bud’s cannabinoid (especially THC and CBD) and terpene
content.

Features and characteristics of resin: Resin glands are sticky and look more like tiny
crystals or frosty droplets of water. They are mostly found covering the buds as well as
the sugar leaves. Sugar leaves are tiny, finger-like leaves that grow around the bud.

How is resin made?: It is produced by the plant naturally as a type of defense
mechanism against pests and insects. You can extract resin by rolling the leaves and buds between
your palms and scraping them off. You can also use the ice water extraction method
using bubble bags. Both methods will create a nice and smooth hash.

How to use resin: Once you have collected the resin, allow it to dry on parchment
paper before pressing it lightly together to form a cube. You can add the hash to your
joint or bowl to make it more potent. Hash is becoming increasingly popular in North America but has
been widely used across the world for a long time. In some countries hash made from resin is the
preferred method of consumption rather than smoking flower.

How to store resin: Similar to wax, it’s best that you keep your resin wrapped in
parchment paper and stored in an airtight container.

 

What is Rosin?

Rosin is a solvent-less concentrate made with the intent of extracting and preserving
the cannabinoids and terpenes. Of all the concentrates, rosin is the safest since there
are no chemical residues to worry about.
Features and characteristics of rosin: Rosin looks like a very viscous and sticky liquid.
Its colour typically ranges from light brown to a very rich, dark brown shade.

How is rosin made?: The buds are first cured to remove excess moisture and then dried.
Once completely dry, the buds are then heated up using high temperatures to activate
the cannabinoids and then pressed to release their oil. Live Rosin takes the extra step to
preserve the delicious terpenes by flash freezing the flower and beginning the extraction
method while the cannabis is still very fresh.

This method guarantees the most terpenes.
How to use rosin: You can place a small dab on your joint, blunt, vape pen, and dab rig.
How to store rosin: Rosin is best kept in airtight silicone containers since they are very
sticky. You can also use wax containers.

Type of Concentrate	Distinguishing Features	Production Process	Safe to Make at Home or Not?	Storage	Potency	Uses
Shatter	Clear, hard, and smooth like  glass	Requires professional equipment and use of butane and other solvents	Dangerous to make at home since the solvents are highly flammable	Kept in fridge to preserve its structure	Less potent than wax but more potent than resin and rosin	Vape pen or dab rig
Wax	Crumbly, flaky, and soft	Needs professional equipment and use of butane and other solvents	Dangerous to make at home since the solvents are highly flammable	Airtight container kept in a cool, dark place	When made right can be the most potent of all extracts	Vape pen or dab rig
Cannabis Resin (ie. Bubble Hash)	Sticky and crumbly	Naturally occurring in the buds and can be collected via hand rolling and ice water technique	Safe and easy to make at home	Airtight container kept in a cool, dark place	Potent	Vape pen and added to your joint, bong, pipe, and even dishes
Rosin (including Live Rosin)	Thick, viscous, sticky liquid	Curing, drying, heating, and pressing the buds to activate and release the concentrated oil	Can be a bit tricky to make efficiently on your own but it is possible	Airtight container kept in a cool, dark place	Potent Especially in Live Rosin form as the terpenes allow for the entourage effect.	Vape pen, dab rig, and added to your joint and dishes

Final Thoughts

There are many different types of concentrates to choose from and we are proud to
offer a wide variety of extracts. While they differ in the way they look and how they’re produced,
they also differ in potency, with shatter and wax being the most potent.

All these concentrates are pretty versatile and can be used in a number of ways to enhance your
high, but if you are an inexperienced cannabis user, it’s best to start at the lowest dose
possible since these concentrates are more potent compared to normal
flower.