Medical cannabis is helping more and more people in the UK. Since 2018, it’s been legally available on prescription through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick eligibility checker on our website.
And yet, the sheer amount of science surrounding medical cannabis can confuse people. Why because the plant itself is complex.
Tetrahydrocannabinolis (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of over 100 cannabinoids, compounds found in the cannabis plant. They’re active compounds that can cause effects throughout the body, and you’ll see them often when researching medical cannabis. The main difference is that THC can produce a ‘high’, while CBD doesn’t. And remember, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently.
And that’s just the beginning. Below we’ve dived into just one branch of this incredible plant: cannabis resin. We’re exploring the types, potential benefits and more.
Cannabis Resin: What It Is and How It's Used
Cannabis resin is a sticky, sap-like substance that can be found on the cannabis plant trichomes, which are the growths on plants.
It contains the plant’s most concentrated levels of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as terpenes (the part of any plant that produces its smell), and flavonoids. These active compounds are responsible for the effects, aroma, and flavor of cannabis, and can sometimes work together to produce better effects, due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.
So, how can it be used?
Recreational users may smoke or vaporise cannabis resin for its psychoactive effects. But keep in mind this is illegal. Alternatively, it can be processed into a wide range of concentrates, for example traditional hashish and solventless hash rosin which we’ll be exploring more below. And it can be used medicinally in some cases for its concentrated cannabinoids.
How Is Cannabis Resin Extracted?
Cannabis resin can be extracted using a number of different methods. We’ve given a brief explanation of some of the most common below.
Hand-rubbing
Fresh cannabis flowers are gently rubbed between the palms until sticky resin builds up on the hands. This is then scraped off and rolled into balls or sticks.
Dry Sifting
Dried cannabis is gently rubbed or shaken over a fine mesh screen until trichome heads fall through and collect as a powdery resin (kief). Kief can then be pressed into hash using heat and pressure - we explain this in a little more detail later on.
Ice Water Extraction
Cannabis is mixed with ice and water until it becomes agitated and the cold trichomes become brittle and break off. This mixture is then filtered through micron bags or bubble bags, and the collected resin is dried to form something known as bubble hash.
Types of Cannabis Resin: Hash, Rosin, Live Resin
Below we’ve got a snapshot comparison of the above three types of resin, and how their processing method, potency, and medical use differ.
Hashish (Hash)
This is one of the oldest cannabis concentrates, and can be brown or black and soft or hard. It’s most often made by manually collecting and compressing the trichomes (resin) from the dried cannabis plants. The THC levels of hash typically range between 30% and 60%, and whilst it does contain cannabinoids and some terpenes, the number is less than fresh extracts. Hash can potentially provide strong, long-lasting effects for conditions such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, and insomnia. Due to its solid form, it's also easier to store and dose.
Rosin
This is a solventless extract that’s made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower, kief (tiny crystals found on the trichomes of cannabis flowers that are rich in terpenes and cannabinoids), or hash to squeeze out resin. It’s made using a rosin press (a heated hydraulic or manual press), and because no chemicals or solvents are used, it’s considered much cleaner and safer. It’s very high in THC, generally between 60% and 80%. Rosin is fast-acting and potent, so is usually prescribed for pain, PTSD, and anxiety.
Live Resin and Live Rosin
This is a modern concentrate that’s made by freezing freshly harvested cannabis and then extracting the resin. It’s extracted using solvents (like butane or propane) at low temperatures to preserve terpenes and cannabinoid content.This results in better flavor and aroma. This method requires specialised lab equipment and controlled conditions. Live resin is among the most potent extracts, with THC often in the 70% to 90% range. It’s fast-acting and is typically prescribed for mood disorders, inflammation, appetite loss, and nausea. It’s also popular in medical cannabis for its entourage effect.
Live rosin is also made from fresh frozen cannabis, but it's extracted without solvents. Instead, heat and pressure is used, making it a solventless alternative with similar terpene-rich potential benefits.
Potential Benefits of Cannabis Resin
Cannabis resin is rich in THC, CBD, and terpenes, and therefore offers a range of potential therapeutic benefits. When it comes to cannabis resin vs flower, it’s important to note that cannabis resin is a concentrated form, so allows for faster, stronger pain relief in some cases.
This study found substantial evidence that medical cannabis is effective for the relief of chronic pain in adults.
THC in cannabis resin can interact with receptors in the brain, known as CB1 receptors. These receptors play a key role in stimulating appetite.
In a recent trial of 300 adults with anxiety, both THC and CBD-dominant cannabis helped reduce people’s anxiety. When dosed properly, cannabis resin can provide calming, mood-stabilising effects. For someone with anxiety or depression, this may change their quality of life, helping them relax and function better day-to-day.
Is Cannabis Resin Legal in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 1st November 2018, and this includes cannabis resin. But, it needs to be prescribed by a specialist doctor, usually from a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf. To be eligible, you’ll need a diagnosis for a qualifying condition, and to have been offered at least two conventional treatments. This can include medication, talking therapy, physiotherapy, surgery and anything else prescribed by your GP.
You may be looking at medical cannabis, as you found the above to be ineffective or poorly tolerated. But keep in mind you don’t need to have tried any of the above - we understand there are plenty of valid and fair reasons why you may turn down a prescription. So, as long as they’ve been offered, it’s enough to qualify.
Just because it’s legal in the UK, doesn’t mean it’s legal everywhere. It’s always a good idea to check if you’re travelling somewhere, what their rules and laws are around medical cannabis.
At Alternaleaf, we can prescribe for 50+ conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism. We offer expert guidance throughout your medical cannabis journey to ensure safe and effective use. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.
Differences Between Resin, Oil, and Wax
Below we’ve got a snapshot comparison of the texture, strength, and usage in medical formats for resin, oil and wax.
Resin
This includes, plant resin, live resin or hash. The texture is sticky and sap-like, or crumbly in hash form. Live resin is often thick and sugary. The strength is medium to high in THC, especially in live resin. Hash typically ranges from 30–60% THC. When used in a medical context, it’s great for fast relief of chronic pain, insomnia, and nausea.
Oil
Cannabis concentrate oil is a liquid cannabis extract that can vary in thickness, potency, and cannabinoid content depending on its intended use. Oils designed for vape cartridges tend to be thinner and are usually made with THC distillate, while concentrated cannabis oils for oral or topical use can be much thicker and more potent, sometimes containing 70–90% THC. On the other hand, CBD oils, often derived from hemp, may contain little to no THC.
In a medical context, cannabis oils are popular because they offer precise, consistent dosing, and can be taken orally, sublingually, or applied topically. They're often prescribed for epilepsy, cancer-related symptoms, anxiety, chronic pain, and more.
Wax
This type of cannabis concentrate includes budder and crumble. The texture is soft, waxy, sometimes crumbly or buttery, and sticky. The strength of THC is very high, often 60–90%. This makes it stronger than traditional resin/hash, and ideal for high-potency needs in a medical context. At the time of writing this article, forms of concentrate like wax or badder are not currently available for prescription in the UK.
Side Effects and Safe Usage of Cannabis Resin
With high potency and elevated THC concentrations, you’re more at risk of possible long-term effects of medical cannabis, including dependency, cognitive impact, and tolerance buildup. Long-term effects, like dependency, usually happen if your body gets too used to the supply of cannabinoids. This is why it’s so important to follow your clinicians guidance. If you consume as prescribed, you should avoid these long-term effects.
Summary
So, that's a brief overview of medical cannabis resin, including the different types, potential benefits and possible risks. But, a lot more research is needed, which is why it’s our mission at Alternaleaf to push medical cannabis into the mainstream.
The best thing to do is speak to your clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis treatment. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.