CANNABIS CONCENTRATES: WHAT IS LIVE RESIN?

The legalization and popularity of marijuana is on the rise. But I’m sure you already knew that! Be it medicinal or recreational, cannabis has moved into the mainstream #itsnotjustforhippiesanymore. Because of this new-found acceptance, the flourishing cannabis industry is experiencing not only an increased population in smokers, but advancement in scientific knowledge and new and improved methods of utilization.

New consumables such as cannabis concentrates, used for dabbing and vaping, have become more and more popular; and are expected to continue to increase according to several surveys. As the information and use of cannabis concentrates builds momentum so does its improvement. Once upon a time we were smoking flower, now there are substances like wax, shatter, and liquid THC to choose from.

So what’s next? The newest, most up-and-coming, and arguably the brightest new development in concentrates is live resin.

But what exactly is live resin? How is it made? How does it differ to other concentrates like oil, wax, and shatter? And is it really worth the price tag?

WHAT IS LIVE RESIN?

Live resin is a concentrate cannabis oil, like wax or shatter, that has been extracted from fresh flowers to preserve important compounds known as terpenes. This preservation makes a cleaner, more potent, and highly flavourful concentrate.

HOW IS IT MADE?

Live resin is produced by freezing newly harvested cannabis in subcritical temperatures before and through the extraction process.

The typical measures taken when drying and curing a cannabis plant can have a substantial and destructive impact on terpenes, where as flash-freezing will preserve them. Because the manufacturing of live resin begins immediately after the plant is cut (to stop the loss of these important terpenes) it captures a more complete cannabinoid and terpene profile.

It should be said that this is by no means a DIY guide to homemade live resin and is not something you should be trying at home! The necessary process to make live resin requires special equipment and knowledge – let’s leave it to the pros!

Fresh-freezing is not a simple procedure. Freezing a plant so quickly without damaging the trichomes is no easy task as these resin glands, that produce TCH, CBD, and other cannabinoid, become very fragile. Simply put, you need one big ass Mo-Fo freezer. To make things more difficult, this to be done at very cold temperatures. And when we say very cold, we mean a ‘gold-diggers heart’ cold. The average household freezer is set at -17c, while the chemical, butane, needed for live extraction has to be between -28c and -45c.

At this point the butane is passed through a tube that holds the fresh-frozen cannabis matter. It’s here the butane bonds with the cannabinoids and terpenes and pulls them from the plant matter.

And finally, a light heat is applied to boil off the butane. What is left after the completion of boiling is a concentrated oil filled with pure cannabinoids like THC and CBD, and all those delicious terpenes.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT THEN THE OTHERS?

If you are new to concentrates, you may be wondering exactly what is the difference between wax, shatter, live resin and other types of concentrates…

Although live resin is similar to other concentrates in that it has a higher THC content, its not the THC percentage that makes this concentrate unique.
As much of 60 percent of a plant’s terpene content can be lost during the curing process. By immediately shock freezing a freshly harvested plant, terpenes and cannabinoids don’t have the chance to degrade.

IS IT WORTH THE PRICE TAG?

Maybe – maybe not. There is no clear answer to this. It really all depends on what works best for you.
You need to consider that the live resin extraction process yields less product, however carries a more complete and accurate chemical profile that will offer you a concentrate fresher than anything else on the marijuana market.  True flavour and aroma fans will enjoy the complexity of live resin.

PICTURED ABOVE – NUKEN LIVE RESIN AAAA

This Live Resin tested in at an alarming 88% THC! Take it easy with this one, you will need very little. Nuken is mostly an Indica strain born in Canada and delivers a smooth and level high where you can expect a nice long lasting, relaxing buzz. The aroma is a sweet earthy one of fresh herbs and grass. Health benefits include: Help with chronic pain, mild cases of depression, stress and anxiety.

CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION OF CONCENTRATES HERE – AND KEEP CHECKING BACK AS WE ARE ALWAYS ADDING MORE!

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STAY HIGH WEEDFAM!