Some present it as one of the most exciting products on the cannabis market. However, the live resin (understand live resin) is still relatively little known to the general public. Produced differently than other hemp concentrates, it offers unique properties. Weedy.fr explains everything you need to know about live resin and how it is a game-changer in today’s market!
What is live resin?
Live resin was undoubtedly born in Colorado in early 2010s thanks to a small group of cannabis growers and extractors. Among them, one name stands out: that of William Fenger, better known under the pseudonym Kind Bill. It was he who would have developed a special butane (BHO) extractor, capable of keep a very low temperature and therefore to preserve a maximum of terpenes and of cannabinoids throughout the process.
At the time, the objective was simple: to obtain the highest concentration of THC possible, and therefore make its consumers soar high, very high. With the multiplication of cannabinoids present on the market, live resin has also diversified and has today become a synonym for quality terpenes. It can therefore be found on the legal market, particularly in CBD products. It then makes it possible to reinforce their taste and their effects without any trace of THC!
Extraction process
A classic resin is extracted from buds previously dried and matured. Each step of the process nevertheless has the disadvantage of altering the terpene profile of the plant. Even before theextraction, drying and refining can thus deteriorate more than half of the terpenes. If live resin is so special, it’s because it is extracted from fresh flowers, through simple steps but nevertheless requiring equipment and advanced knowledge.
- Fresh flower harvest
- Quick freezing (flash freezing), often with the help of dry ice or liquid nitrogen
- Extraction at very low temperature (around -40°C)
- Solvent purge, always at low temperature
Thanks to this process, the trichomes, which contain the resin, are much easier to extract. Terpenes are not heated, not oxidized and extremely well preserved.
Live resin Vs. Live rosin
Live resin and live rosin are often confused due to the similarity of the two expressions, yet they are indeed different derivatives! Unlike live resin, live rosin does not contain no solvent. Heat is used to extract the trichomes, then a press is used to shape the resin.
Both products are said live or alive because they use frozen and unripened plants as raw material. The extraction is then different. Conversely, resin and “simply” rosin use dried and cured buds, from which the concentrate is extracted with or without solvent.
Live resin Vs. Hash rosin
THE rosin hash is simply extracted from hashish and not from flowers. As it is a rosin, this means that it does not use any solvents during extraction. Our rosin hash is, for example, extracted from Fedora 17, a French variety particularly concentrated in CBD.
Is the live resin of good quality?
The quality of live resin is precisely what makes its excellent reputation. By quickly lowering the temperature of the still fresh plant, it is possible to get the most out of its terpene profile and therefore its aromas. The taste and smell of live resin are therefore more intense than for another resin. Cannabinoids are also better preserved, which in turn has an influence on its effects.
However, be careful with the solvent used to produce it. As for the other derivatives, the CO2 supercritical is preferred over chemical solvents which can leave traces in the finished product.
Benefits
- Rich terpene profile: live resin allows you to retain more terpenes than other extraction methods.
- More intense aromas And stronger taste: it offers a very natural and intense cannabis taste.
- Intense effects: more cannabinoids are present in the finished product.
- Full spectrum: by retaining a maximum of the active ingredients of hemp, it encouragesentourage effect and therefore the synergy between cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes.
How to use live resin?
The most common way to consume live resin is through dabbing or the water pipe. However, these are not healthy consumption patterns. The product is now found as a coating for CBD flowers, of resins and pollens or to strengthen the terpene profile ofe-liquids. It’s up to you to choose your preferred mode of consumption!
A 2018 study nevertheless evokes a risk of addiction increased for users who favor cannabis concentrates. Like all products, live resin is therefore use in moderation, starting with a low quantity and increasing the doses only if the need arises. This way, you will benefit more from the effects, without blowing your CBD budget!
Can you smoke live resin?
Technically, yes, legally, not necessarily! In France, cannabis, even legal, is not intended to be smoked. In countries where cannabis is legalized, such as Canada or certain parts of the United States, it is possible to smoke it, for example by smoking flowers previously infused in live resin. However, this method of consumption results in the combustion of the product and therefore the production of harmful toxins, particularly for the lungs. It is therefore not recommended to smoke live resin, or any other product for that matter.
