Many states and countries accept and recognize cannabis as an important aspect of people’s lives for either recreational or therapeutic purposes. For this reason, these places have dispensaries offering a wide range of cannabis products.
Their evolution over the years is impressive. From what was once a discreetly consumed plant, cannabis isn’t just smoked nowadays. People can now buy various iterations of the basic leaf product, such as live resin and full spectrum cannabis extracts.
In this article, you can find the main things you’d want to know about these two products. With it, you can compare the two and make more informed buying decisions for your ideal cannabis experience.
1. Manufacturing Process
Live resin production involves a more refined cannabis oil extraction process, retaining more cannabis compounds (cannabinoids) and terpenes, chemical compounds giving cannabis its effects and flavor.
Making live resin involves decarboxylation or heating to activate cannabinoids. This process gives it greater potency in the highs it produces.
That results in a product retaining more beneficial properties than other marijuana concentrates. You can learn more about that in this article on what is live resin.
On the other hand, full spectrum cannabis extracts come from dried marijuana plant material. They are usually made from raw trichomes, tiny, transparent, bead-like formations on marijuana buds. Moreover, it’s a subset of live resin, containing all cannabinoids and terpenes a particular strain can offer.
2. Physical Appearance And Cannabinoid Profile
Live resin is a full-bodied marijuana concentrate with a bold flavor. It is highly preferred by connoisseurs because of its potent high. This cannabis product contains up to 90% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Depending on the manufacturing process’s raw material, live resin products also have varying consistency. The type and amount of terpenes also affect it.
Generally, live resins have a signature golden color with different shades of yellow, depending on the cannabis genetics. It can be soft, sticky, saucy, or fluid-like, and is often easier to use.
A full spectrum extract is also a form of cannabis concentrate, usually in oil or sticky form. It boasts a multifaceted, more flower-like flavor with aromatic profiles and effects. That’s because it’s loaded with cannabis flowers’ natural properties.
Unlike live resins, this smooth, honey-like liquid doesn’t need heating. It also has lesser terpenes than live resin because of drying and curing.
3. Flavor and Aroma
Full spectrum cannabis extracts have a satisfying taste and scent. But because live resin contains higher cannabinoid and terpene levels, this cannabis product is the more preferred option among cannabis users.
Current cannabis preservation methods involve immediately freezing the marijuana plant after harvesting using cryogenic freezing machines or dry ice. Hence, the cannabis plant retains its natural cannabinoids and natural flavor. This relatively new technique applies to both high-quality full spectrum extracts and live resin.
Since the process preserves the cannabis plant’s full phytochemical profile, it works particularly well in live resin’s favor.
You can buy live resin and other cannabis products from a reputable cannabis dispensary, such as one operated by a trustworthy business owner, Alexander Farnsworth.
4. Consumption Methods
One of the most popular live resin consumption methods is dabbing, which involves using a dab rig or pipe and a nail or flat bowl. The former has a higher heating point than the latter, giving the user more control over the temperature and amount of live resin consumed.
If you prefer to smoke cannabis, adding live resin to glass bowls or sprinkling on the bud before smoking can help maximize its potency.
You can also add live resin to joints or smoke it using a dab pen, a dabber, or other heating methods.
On the other hand, full spectrum cannabis extracts can be taken orally or sublingually (that is, by dribbling a few drops under your tongue). Full spectrum cannabis extracts in capsule and vape juice or e-liquid forms are also available.
Users can inhale the vapor of full spectrum cannabis extracts using a vaporizer. You can also dab it or cook with it.
Whichever method you choose, it all comes down to your preferences and needs. Just be careful with dosing and heating when using these concentrates.
5. Effects
The effects of full spectrum and live resin depend on the cannabis strain.
For instance, Sativa-dominant cannabis strains have more energizing and creative effects. In contrast, Indica-dominant marijuana strains cause relaxation and sleepiness.
Full spectrum cannabis extracts can help you achieve either of these. It even exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in clinical studies.
As mentioned, live resin retains more terpenes than full spectrum and other concentrates. Terpenes don’t only affect flavor and aroma but also the body and mind.
For instance, myrcene is a terpene that provides a calming effect, whereas terpinolene is more energizing.
Each cannabis strain has a unique terpene and cannabinoid makeup, causing different strains to have varying effects. Knowing which ones to use allows you to customize your experience much better.
6. Safety Considerations
Whether you consume a full spectrum extract or live resin, you must prioritize safety. Following the right steps ensures enjoyable and safe live resin consumption.
Creating your homemade live resin is also tempting. But only professionals should handle this dangerous process.
Safety precautions are especially important when dabbing since it involves heating live resin. For starters, you should do this in an area far from flammable materials.
When ingesting full spectrum or live resin, ensure you know the strain’s effects and potency. People with behavioral or mental disorders may not take to the effects well. So, it’s best to micro-dose at the start. You can gradually increase the amount from there until you find the safe zone for your cannabis experience.
Which One is Your Pick?
Now, you should have a good grasp of the differences between live resin and full spectrum extracts in terms of the production process, flavor, aroma, effects, consumption method, and safety considerations.
If you desire a highly potent cannabis product, live resin is the best option, perfect for days off and weekend usage. On the other hand, full spectrum cannabis products are more flexible to incorporate into your daily diet.
It’s all about knowing what you want and need. Consult the experts to learn more.
MORE ON LIVE RESIN, READ ON...
