Live resin contains all of the same cannabinoids as dried bud, with tiny to none degradation in quality. Terpenes are the delicate aromatic plant molecules that provide a therapeutic effect but can be destroyed during traditional extraction procedures. Live resin is extracted using specialized techniques that preserve terpenes and other plant components while minimizing degradation, allowing for greater retention of the whole plant rather than adding terpenes back in later on.
The many terpenes play an essential part in the effects you receive from different cannabis chemovars (strains), as discussed previously on the site.
Cannabis manufacturers are looking for new methods to differentiate and provide goods that satisfy unique consumer demands and tastes as dispensary shelves get more crowded. Manufacturers are turning to live resin, including concentrates, vapes, and even edibles, in order to stand out. Is live resin, on the other hand, worth seeking out from a customer standpoint?
What is live resin?
Full-spectrum cannabis resin is a pure, full-spectrum concentrate manufactured from freshly harvested plants that are quickly flash frozen, retaining most plant chemicals and including the fragile trichomes containing terpenes and flavonoids. This distinguishes it from cannabis concentrate created from dried and cured plants.
How is live resin produced?
Back to our live resin. After the plant is flash-frozen, it’s removed from its container and placed in a freezer at minus 40 degrees Celsius. The result is that all of the plant components are preserved. Extractions using hydrocarbon or butane hash oil (BHO) are two common techniques.
IBecause it’s so dangerous, you’ll want to avoid extracting cannabis with butane. In fact, not only is this practice banned in several countries due to safety concerns, the resulting pure substance contains traces of the solvent that can be harmful if consumed. You should also know that legal marijuana producers use up-to-date laboratory equipment and adhere to commercial fire and safety standards while producing the extract for assurance. However, because butane is a very flammable solvent, hash oil extraction using it is highly discouraged!
Live resin extraction differs from traditional processes in which cannabis plants are dried and cured using heat to create THC distillate. Manufacturers may reintroduce terpenes, CBD and other cannabinoids, as well as taste and other components at various stages of the production process to produce specific product effects.
Is live resin better than THC distillate products?
Is it true that Live resin’s unique extraction process makes it superior to THC distillate-based extracts? Not at all.
The quality of the plants used in live resin production is crucial. In addition, the live resin extraction process is complicated and time consuming. Skipping steps may result in lost terpenes or a product with residual solvents if a manufacturer takes shortcuts.
Also, THC distillate manufactured from dried and cured plants typically works better in ingestible products since it can be more precisely weighed into a consistent dose.
The main difference between cheap and high-end speakers is the cost. While price is always a factor to consider, it does not affect everyone in the same way. Personal preferences, as well as budget constraints, also play a role. You may love the effects and flavor of a live resin product, or you could be left wondering what all the fuss is about.
When it comes to therapeutic value, live resin may have an advantage since it retains more of the plant’s full chemical components, including a greater concentration of naturally occurring terpenes, than dried flower. Terpenes are important in cannabis’ ability to heal since they have various effects. We offered advice on how to choose the ideal terpenes for your needs in a previous blog.
Learning more about live resin product types
Today’s dispensary shelves are increasingly filled with live resin in more legal cannabis goods. It might be difficult to comprehend the several choices! Here’s a quick rundown of some of the many varieties of live resin products:
- Live resin concentrates: Live resin concentrates can be dabbed (smoked using a specially-designed dab rig), or sprinkled on top of cannabis flower before smoking to enhance flavor and boost potency. Remember that a little goes a long way!
- Live resin vapes: Vaping is a popular method of consuming cannabis concentrates, and live resin vapes are becoming increasingly popular as customers search for products that reflect the complete plant profile. Live resin vapes should not contain substances such as Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Propylene Glycol (PG), or MCT oil, which may be found in some distillate-based vape cartridges.
- Live resin prerolls: If you’re looking for a way to make an injured joint feel better without having to roll one yourself, several manufacturers are now offering live resin-infused prerolls, including our supporting member Escape Artists. Of course, excellent quality is crucial, which is why Escape Artists combines the finest full buds (not shake) and live resin in their prerolls. Keep in mind that a live resin joint is more powerful than your average marijuana joint — one puff may be enough!
- Live resin edibles: The term “live resin edibles” refers to new types of edible cannabis. Terpenes have the ability to impact the digestive system, where many endocannabinoid receptors are located, even though they primarily interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system via smell. Dialed In Gummies is one brand that now produces single-strain edibles using low-heat sous vide techniques to preserve all of the plant’s original components. (Technically, Dialed In Gummies uses live rosin, which is very similar to live resin except that it does not require butane or other solvents.)
How to get started with live resin
When it comes to live resin products for the first time, our advice is to start with a low dose and take things slowly. A little goes a long way, especially with cannabis concentrates that may be quite powerful and contain up to 90% THC. Slow also helps you to appreciate the complex terpene profiles in living resin goods.