Cannabis concentrates are commonly named or explained by their textures or consistencies: some are tough and brittle, like shatter; some waxy; some thick and gooey, like batter; and some like sauce. By definition, live resin is a more malleable concentrate, resting someplace between a wax and a sauce– not quite like taffy, yet not too wet. It is normally dark yellow but can vary from light yellow to white. Like all marijuana concentrates, it is extremely sticky, so you’ll require a dab tool to handle it.

Live resins tend to be potent with a lot of THC, and consumers enjoy it as a result of its extreme tastes and aromas which carry over from the initial plant.

How to make live resin?

Live resin distinguishes itself from other kinds of marijuana concentrates because it is produced with fresh frozen cannabis– plants that are frozen immediately after being cut down at harvest. These plants are kept frozen throughout the extraction process and avoid the drying out, curing, and cutting phases of harvesting.

The drying and curing procedures that cannabis plants generally experience can have a damaging effect on terpenes, the plant’s flavor, and aroma compounds. Terpenes exist in trichomes, which cover buds and surrounding foliage.

During drying and curing, moisture and chlorophyll leave the plant. This can expose trichomes to heat, oxygen, and light, all of which can deteriorate terpenes. Trichomes also tend to break off a plant as it is handled and moved around during harvesting.

By cooling the plant quickly after harvest, trichomes are protected in live resin and the cannabis plant retains its useful terpene profile, taste, and fragrance throughout the extraction process and into the final product.

After collecting, frozen plants are put through a solvent extraction process, using butane, propane, or another solvent. After harvest, below are the steps for producing live resin:

• Freeze plants/plant matter
• Extract the oil
• Refine into the live resin

Plants are kept at below freezing temperatures throughout the extraction process. After extraction, live resin is commonly heated on a stove. It can be packaged as is or contributed to carts for vape pens.

How to use live resin?

Dabbing

Dabbing is the most popular way to consume live resin. To do so, you’ll require a dab rig, lantern, and nail, or an e-nail or e-rig. You’ll also require a dab device to manage the concentrate and place it in the nail, probably something with a scoop on it, provided the live resin’s goopy consistency.

Vaping with a dab pen or cart

You can also put live resin in a dab pen, essentially a small, portable e-rig that allows you to easily regulate temperature and dab on the go.

Be sure to use a dabber device to get the live resin into the stove or bowl of the dab pen. Then simply change the temperature, press the button, and inhale in.

Live resin also comes in disposable cartridges, similar to the vaping distillate.