A Guide to Rosin Cartridges
Are you a connoisseur of concentrated vape pens? If so, there’s no doubt that you’ve eyed the rosin cartridges at your local dispensary with curiosity. While your interests may be piqued, and you’ve thought about buying one before you decide to invest the extra money (rosin cartridges are pricier than standard cartridges), you have a few questions that you’d like to have answered. First, what exactly is a rosin cartridge, anyway? Second, what’s the difference between a rosin and a standard vape pen cartridge? Third, are they really worth the additional cost?
Rosin cartridges have been getting a lot of attention lately, and they seem to be popping up everywhere in recent years. As such, learning more about this new product to the cannabis scene is certainly worth familiarizing yourself with. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore. Below, you’ll find the answers to the above-mentioned questions, as well as other helpful information so that you can decide if you want to take the leap and jump on the rosin cartridge bandwagon.
Standard THC vs Rosin Vape Cartridges: Extraction Process
THC Vape Cartridges
In order to understand rosin cartridges, it’s first helpful to understand standard THC vape cartridges. The objective of concentrates is to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material to create a substance that’s more powerful than buds on their own. A process known as “hydrocarbon extraction” is the method that is most commonly used to extract THC, CBD, and all the other goodies that cannabis contains and collect (or concentrate) them all together in a single place. A solvent, such as butane, is commonly used to achieve this goal. To further illustrate, Butane Hash Oil (often simply referred to as “BHO” extraction is done by hitting plant material with a hydrocarbon solvent underneath high levels of pressure.
The result of BHO extract is a brownish, yellowish, or amber-like liquid that is extremely sticky. This liquid contains all of the resins and terpenes that were extracted from the cannabis plant matter, and it’s dried out and processed to create a concentrate. If everything goes according to plan, virtually all of the resin- and terpene-rich solvent will be removed from the product via Closed Loop Extraction, a specialized process that involves using a vacuum pump to separate and recycle the solvent. What’s really special about this process is that the solvents or products are never exposed to air.
Rosin Cartridges
Now that you have an understanding of the basics of the THC vape oil extraction process, let’s take a look at resin cartridges. Formally known as “live resin”, rosin cartridges are comprised of a form of cannabis concentrate that is procured by flash-freezing cannabis that has been freshly harvested. Subcritical temperatures are used to flash-freeze the freshly harvested cannabis flower both prior to and throughout the entire extraction process. As such, extractors have to use proprietary equipment to obtain the concentrate.
The Difference Between Live Resin Standard THC Cartridges
The primary difference between live resin and rosin is the extraction process. The flash-freezing process that is used to obtain live resin results in a substance that is much more potent and that has greater integrity, overall. The standard drying and curing process used to obtain resin can damage the flower’s trichomes; however, the live resin extraction process involves flash freezing cannabis right after it is harvested, and then holding it at a freezing temperature throughout the duration of the extraction process. The difference in the extraction process makes a big difference because the plant retains its valued terpene profile, as well as its flavor and fragrance. As you can imagine, thanks to the flash freezing process that is used to extract the live resin, the quality is much higher.
Difference Between Resin Cartridges and Other Vape Products
The most notable and most vital difference between live resin cartridges and other types of vape products on the market is the enhanced terpene content of the former. Comparing live resin and BHO extracts, the terpene concentration is much more robust.
Thanks to the higher and more robust concentration of terpenes, live resin is much more aromatic and flavorful.
Moreover, because the terpenes interact with THC, CBD, and the numerous other cannabinoids that cannabis contains, the psychoactive effects of live resin are enhanced. Additionally, because it isn’t exposed to solvents, live resin is natural and unlike standard BHO-extracted oils, it contains absolutely no chemical residue, and therefore, is healthier than BHO-extracted concentrates. As such, if you’re health conscious, live resin cartridges are a much better option than standard cannabis vape pens.
To summarize, whether you’re using it for pain relief, anxiety relief, or just to relax and unwind; whatever the reason, if you want to maximize your THC vape experience, live resin will offer you a much better experience, overall, than standard vape cartridges.
Not All Live Rosin is Created Equal
While live preserves the pureness of cannabis, because the terpene profiles are greater and more complex, and since they offer greater psychoactive effects, it’s important to note that not all live resin products are created equal. As such, if you want the best taste and experience possible, you really want to choose your live resin cartridge wisely.
There are dozens of brands of rosin cartridges, but hands down, Leiffa Live Rosin is one of the best options on the market. Leiffa is one of the most trusted distributors of cannabis and cannabis-based products, and their live rosin cartridges live up to the quality the company has become synonymous with.
What sets Leiffa Live Rosin cartridges apart from the crowd? Here’s a look at some of the key benefits:
- Uses their own proprietary process that utilizes the same rosin available in their fab-able concentrates
- Filler-, additive-, and solvent-free
- Thanks to the low-entry barrier, they’re great for beginners; no expensive torches, dab rings, etc. necessary
- Discrete and highly portable
- Standard 510 thread cartridge fits standard and widely available 510 batteries
Tips and Tricks
To maximize your enjoyment, here are some handy tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- For the best results, space out hits; avoid rapid succession hits
- Avoid extreme (hot and cold) storage
- Best used on variable voltage 510 battery.