A sticky substance secreted by the trichomes of the marijuana plant. Trichomes are glands primarily on cannabis buds that contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes that get you high or offer medicinal benefits. Resin protects the plant from UV light and pests, and is what makes cannabis sticky.

Resin can also refer to tar in a bowl or pipe, which is the residue from smoking flower. 

“This White Widow is covered in resin, making it super sticky.”

“I smoked some resin in my pipe because I was out of fresh weed.”

What is cannabis resin on a plant?

Trichomes, the glands that contain cannabinoids and terpenes, secrete resin. The cannabis plant does this to protect itself from UV light and to deter pests. 

Highly resinous marijuana plants often contain high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, making them more potent. Resinous weed plants are great for making extracts such as shatter, wax, or oil, because of their potency.

What is cannabis resin in a pipe?

When cannabis flower or hash is smoked in a pipe, bong, rig, or other piece, the heat of combustion causes the resinous oil and plant matter to congeal with ash, leaving a black residue in the bowl, which is also called resin. 

This resin can be scraped off and resmoked or redabbed, but it will be significantly less potent and very harsh. 

Uses for cannabis resin

Cannabis resin can be collected or extracted from the plant to make concentrates. Cannabis can be dry sifted to remove kief from the plant; charas can be made by rolling resin onto your fingers and then forming it into balls; and resin and mature trichomes can be frozen and broken off to make ice water hash. 

Cannabis resin can be extracted chemically as well, using solvents like butane, propane, or CO2 to create shatters, waxes, oils, etc.

Resin in a bowl or pipe and be scraped off and smoked.