What are live resin and live resin terpenes? And how are they used?

17. 08. 2024

• What is live resin?
• How is live resin produced?
• Why choose live resin?
• Live resin terpenes
• How is live resin used?
• Dabbing
• Vaporization
• How to store live resin?

 

 

  

 

What is live resin?

Live resin is a cannabis concentrate that is made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis flowers. This distinguishes it from other concentrates, which are usually made by slowly drying the cannabis flowers over a period of time (two to four weeks). 

Thanks to this unique production process, the final product retains more terpenes than other concentrates. In the complete extract you will find:

• High concentration of terpenes 
• Higher THC levels (60 to 90%)
• Low CBD concentration (below 1%)
• Other cannabinoids (e.g. CBG and CBN)

In many states, live resin is not legal due to the high THC content. In most European countries, the THC limit is set at 0,2 or 0,3 %. In the Czech Republic, it is 1 % THC. For this reason, you can buy either a special kind of cannabis concentrate with a permitted, low THC content, called CBD live resin, or live resin terpenes. We will cover both in this article.

And what else is worth knowing about live resin?

• Live resin was first created by a grower known as Kind Bill in 2013.
• The colour of the live resin ranges from white to golden to amber brown. 
• The consistency of live resin can be liquid like syrup or waxy (depending on the amount and type of terpenes contained).
• Compared to other cannabis concentrates, live resin retains a distinct flavour and aroma.  

How is live resin produced?

You know that fresh, organic ingredients directly from the source are irreplaceable. Fruit juice, for example, is without doubt the most delicious when you squeeze it from fresh fruit from your own garden. And in the cannabis industry this is doubly true. Live resin is only made from fresh cannabis plants.

Production consists of three basic steps. The first step is to harvest the cannabis plants at peak flowering time, when they contain the most terpenes and cannabinoids.

The harvested cannabis is then immediately frozen (flash freezing), which helps preserve the chemical components that would otherwise be lost during drying. The plants are usually frozen at a temperature of -40 °C or below. 

 

The final step is extraction, which is most often performed using solvents such as butane or propane. The very name 'living resin' thus underlines the ability of this preservation method to preserve the original terpene profile of the plant as well as the broader spectrum of cannabinoids.  

Why choose live resin?

To summarize, the main advantages of live resin include:

• Intense taste: the flash-freezing method immediately after harvesting allows the authentic taste of the original plant to be preserved.
• A rich variety of scents and effects: live resin owes its richness to the wide range of terpenes and cannabinoids it contains. Terpenes are the alpha and omega of live resin's quality and potency.
• Aesthetic appeal: do you want a vibrant colour and a glossy texture? Let's face it, looks are the first thing everyone notices.     
• Variety of consumption methods: the slightly viscous and sticky consistency makes live resin a suitable concentrate for both dabbing and vaporization.

To make matters worse, a special kind of CBD live resin offers potential therapeutic effects on top of all the benefits. According to available studies, these may include stress reduction or improved sleep. This is because it contains negligible amounts of THC and a high CBD content compared to conventional live resin.  

 

 

Live resin terpenes

Terpenes are aromatic natural substances found in many plants, including cannabis. And what is specific about live resin terpenes?

• Unlike live resin, which contains both terpenes and cannabinoids, live resin terpenes are pure terpenes.
• Although the name suggests that they come from a live resin, they are obtained from frozen cannabis.
• They are primarily used to enrich other cannabis products such as cartridges and prerolls.

 

How is live resin used?

As mentioned, the two main ways to use live resin are dabbing and vaporization.

Dubbing:

• Do you prefer a strong taste and aromatic experience? This method is popular due to its ability to provide intense effects and preserve the full terpene profile of the live resin. You will need a special pipe (dadab  rig), a concentrate handling tool (dabdabber) and a butane lighter or electric heater (e-nail). The concentrate is applied to a hot surface and the vapour released is inhaled. Dabbing is not recommended for beginners.

Vaporization:

• Vaporization consists of heating live resin to a temperature at which it turns to steam without burning. The effect is rapid and can take approximately two to three hours. This method is less irritating to the lungs than dabbing, but retains the distinctive flavour and aroma.
• You can vape with both desktop vaporizers and portable vaporizers. Desktop vaporizers are great for those looking for maximum performance and quality, while portable models are convenient because you can easily carry them around.
• Another option is vape pens, which contain cartridges with live resin terpenes. In e-shops you can find disposable, refillable vape pens as well as vape pens with replaceable cartridges.

 

Especially if you are new to the world of cannabis, remember that:

• Live resin is much stronger than other cannabis products.
• It is important to count on its high potency and start with a small dose.

How to store live resin?

Proper storage is crucial for cannabis products. Live resin should always be stored in a cool and dark place, ideally in the fridge. For storage, use airtight and opaque containers to protect the concentrate from light and air. It is also important to avoid heat and humidity to prevent premature decomposition or mould growth.

 

Author: HotHouse Cucumber

 

   

Photo: ChatGPT, www.canatura.com

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