The Complete Guide To Live Resin

WHAT IS LIVE RESIN?

Live resin is a concentrated form of cannabis that has not lost its pungent flavor and scent.

Resin is the sticky ooze you can see on a cannabis plant. Many types of plants exude resin, which gives the plant its identity and differentiation from others.

Live means that the starting material was fresh frozen before any of the other usual processes (drying, cutting, trimming, and harvesting) occurred.

When marijuana flowers are fresh frozen, the terpenes are better preserved. As such, there are more terpenes in the final product than in any other form of cannabis product. Terpenes are what give the weed its recognizable smell and color.

Usually, terpenes are lost in the curing and drying process. However, fresh freezing your weed flowers retains the flavor and goodness of cannabis. Ultimately, fresh freezing your cannabis produces the best result.

The original pioneers of live resin were a team of Colorado marijuana growers. In 2012/2013 they developed this extraction process, which has become increasingly popular as people became more aware of it.

How Is It Made?

The process of making live resin is vastly different from the process most weed consumers are accustomed to.

Instead of drying and harvesting the cannabis plant before extraction, making live resin involves drying and curing the cannabis after extracting it from the living plant.

The first step of the live resin-making process is fresh freezing the flowers. This step requires immediate vacuum-sealing before cold storage.

One method of fresh freezing is to dip the cannabis flowers slowly into an insulating cylinder containing liquid nitrogen. Another method is to place them in a cooler of dry ice or frozen carbon dioxide.

Once fresh frozen, the product is run through a solvent at an extremely low temperature. Butane and propane are the most popular choices. They dissolve the membranes around the trichomes in the cannabis. Trichomes are the molecules that contain THC and terpenes, the components of weed that get you high.

This dissolving of the trichrome membranes releases the THC and terpenes. Then, they are precipitated out from the rest of the plant material. This is the extraction process, which usually takes place within 36 hours of fresh freezing.

After extraction, the concentrate is decarboxylated and cured. Decarboxylation requires heat. However, in this instance, a very minimal amount of heat is added to the solution to help vaporize and remove the solvent.

Finally, the live resin is packaged and sent on its way wherever it is needed, generally a dispensary.

Types Of Live Resin

There are a few different types of live resin on the market. The primary differences between them are their textures, consistency, and viscosity.

Some live resin has a golden saucy consistency while others lean towards the texture of golden sugar.

Generally though, the texture of live resin sits somewhere on a scale between waxes and sauces. However, it is possible to encounter live resin with the texture of saps, sugars, and jellies.

Variations can occur due to variations in the extraction process of the product. For example, live resin that has a texture of sugar is more crumbly, which may be a result of fewer terpenes in the final product.

The type of terpenes in the plant can also affect the final product. For example, if the final live resin product contains lighter terpenes such as pinene or myrcene, the final product will have a thinner viscosity.

THE BENEFITS OF LIVE RESIN

One of the primary reasons many cannabis connoisseurs prefer live resin over other forms of weed is that it’s more potent.

By potent, we mean the strength of your high. The process of making live resin preserves both terpenes and cannabinoids. Of course, this means it’s also more flavorful as more terpenes are preserved. So, that delicious, “terpy” scent of the original marijuana plant remains strong in live resin.

On the other side of cannabis production, you have the growers. And growers are also usually big fans of making live resin. This is because the process of producing live resin is significantly less taxing than the processes involved in making other forms of cannabis products.

Drying, curing, and trimming cannabis plants is an arduous process and puts a toll on growers. However, if they make live resin, an entire cannabis plant can be chopped down, fresh frozen, and sent to the extractor just as is.

HOW TO USE/CONSUME LIVE RESIN

One of the beautiful characteristics of live resin is that it is extremely versatile in how it can be used or consumed.

Dabbing

The most common method to smoke live resin is by dabbing it in a rig. A rig is essentially a water pipe with a flat bowl called a nail. The nail is constructed from a material that can withstand very high temperatures. This differs from a glass bong, for example.

The process of dabbing is rather unique. You’ll need the rig described above, as well as a dabbing tool. And of course your live resin.

We suggest getting a tool with a spoon-shaped tip. This type of dabbing tool is essential to the process since live resin is incredibly sticky and your fingers will not do the trick.

Step one is to heat the bowl to a temperature between 320 and 400°F (or 205°C). Once heated, it’s time to scoop the live resin with your dabbing tool and add it to the nail. Swirl it around gently, allowing it to slowly vaporize. When the solution is vaporizing properly, your next step is to inhale and enjoy.

Vaping

Another way in which to smoke live resin, and certainly the most convenient, is by vaping it.

All you need to do is buy a live resin cartridge and attach it to your vape’s battery. You could use a vape pen or a nectar collector based on your preference.

Ensure that you adjust your vape’s temperature to the ideal dabbing temperature mentioned above (320-400°F or 205°C) for the best results.

Sprinkling

There are other ways to consume live resin if dabbing or vaping don’t tickle your fancy.

Many people add their live resin to their bong bowls. Or they twist a dollop of the live resin around their pre-rolls, joints, and blunts. Doing so adds a little extra kick to your trip.

BEST PRACTICES FOR STORING LIVE RESIN

As with most other forms of cannabis products, storing your live resin properly is crucial. The terpenes in the live resin will quickly degrade if not stored correctly.

Store your live resin in an airtight container so that it’s not affected by external conditions. Light, heat, and air will affect the flavor of your live resin and can also cause it to harden. So, you’ll also want to make sure your storage place is cool and dark.

The fridge is the most ideal location for storing live resin. Live resin, if stored cold, can last for up to 2 years. However, if not stored this way, its shelf life will reduce to under 1 year. Always read the manufacture date on the product’s label to know when it is safe to consume.

Avoid storing your live resin in the freezer or at room temperature. Neither of these conditions is ideal for making your live resin last.

As a side note, minimize the handling of the product as much as possible, as this can introduce contaminants to your live resin. And when you do extract your live resin from the fridge, give it some time to come to room temperature before opening your airtight container.

This habit will prevent the occurrence of condensation in your live resin. Moisture can develop into a dangerous mold that can cause respiratory illness when inhaled so you’ll want to prevent this from happening.

HOW TO IDENTIFY QUALITY LIVE RESIN

Our first piece of advice in acquiring high-quality live resin is to purchase it from a licensed producer in a legal market. The product will only be able to be sold legally if it meets the state-mandated health requirements for that specific product. Live resin products can only be sold legally if they contain a certain level of residue solvents.

However, it is a valuable skill to be able to tell for yourself how good the quality of your live resin is. So, here are some of the characteristics of good quality live resin to look out for:

• It will be sticky to the touch, but not fall apart completely when you do touch it.
• Ensure that it’s also thick, and not too far on either side of the hard-runny scale. A brittle batch of live resin has not been stored adequately. While a runny batch indicates another mistake in the process.
• Another indication of good quality live resin is the scent and taste. This should be very strong. If the scent is unpleasant or weak, this is a sign of a bad batch.
• Also, keep an eye on the color of the product. Is it golden and yellow? If the answer is yes, you’ve probably got a premium product on your hands.

LIVE RESIN VS. OTHER CANNABIS PRODUCTS

Let’s conduct a little comparison between live resin and some other similar cannabis concentrate products.

Cured Resin

There are so many variations of cannabis concentrates. Mostly, they are named after their consistency and texture.

For example, shatter and batter. Shatter is hard and brittle. Batter is thick and gooey. Those are relatively easy to remember.

Cured resin is the umbrella term for concentrates that are made from dried cannabis plant material. Shatter and batter lie under this umbrella, as does wax and a few other concentrates.

Live Resin

As we’ve discussed previously, live resin doesn’t follow the same manufacturing process as cured resin and other products. This results in a different texture somewhere between wax and sauce. Live resin can be described as malleable – almost like taffy, but not as wet.

Live Rosin

Still live, but not resin.

Live rosin, in contrast to live resin, does not require a solvent in its manufacturing process. Instead of a solvent, growers and manufacturers use heat and pressure to remove the trichomes from the marijuana plant. This is commonly done through a press.

Other Cannabis Products

Many other cannabis products don’t fall under the category of cannabis concentrates.

The primary difference between these products and live resin involves cannabis terpenes.

Making standard cannabis products involves drying, curing, trimming, and harvesting before extraction. This degrades the terpenes in the plant due to external factors. When the trichomes are exposed to heat, oxygen, and light, the moisture and chlorophyll of the plant are removed. In turn, this impacts the flavor and aroma of the weed product.

Trichomes (which, we’ll remind you, contain those precious terpenes) cover the buds and the surrounding foliage of the cannabis plant. And naturally, human handling and moving are bound to break this material off the plant, altering the strength and potency of the final product.

Because live resin involves drying and curing cannabis after extraction, it is much more potent, aromatic, and flavorful than other weed products.

LIVE RESIN RECIPE: GUMMIES

If you want to make some delectable edibles with live resin, you’re in luck. Here is a fun recipe for you to try out with a live resin tincture.

For making weed gummies with live resin, you’ll need:

• ½ cup of cold water
• 1 large packet of sugar-free Jello flavor
• 4 sachets of gelatin
• Live resin tincture
• Molds to contain the gummies
• Oil spray

Step 1: Spray

Spray the molds lightly with your oil spray. Wipe each one so that very little oil is left over

Step 2: Mix

Mix your chosen Jello flavor and the 4 sachets of gelatin in a saucepan on the stove. This should be done at low to medium heat.

Step 3: Add Water And Whisk

Add ½ cup of cold water to your Jello/gelatin mixture and whisk it together.

Step 4: Boil

Bring the mixture to a boil. Then heat for 5 minutes over low heat.

Step 5: Add Your Live Resin

Remove your mixture from the heat. Then add your desired amount of the live resin tincture. It’s important to measure your dosage here based on how many gummy molds you have at your disposal.

Step 6: Pour and Refrigerate

Gently mix your concoction before pouring it gently into each mold. Refrigerate your mold for at least 4 hours or until completely set.

Step 7: Eat And Enjoy

The final step is to eat and enjoy! If you’ve measured your dosage correctly based on your preferences, don’t get carried away and eat over your limit, no matter how great they taste!

CONCLUSION

Live resin is an amazing cannabis concentrate for weed lovers looking for an enhanced experience. If you’re just learning about it now, we recommend you don’t waste another second to try it out in one way or another.

Whether you’re a dabber, a vaper, a smoker, or an edibles consumer, live resin is a fantastic choice to make your high even better than it has been before.

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