Cannabis concentrates, from waxes to oils, come in an array of forms, each offering something unique. Among these, the cured resin vs live resin is often a lively one. Why compare the two? Whether you're chasing the intense, fresh flavors of live resin or the richer, more nuanced high of cured resin, knowing the difference can upgrade your cannabis experience.
What is Cured Resin?
Cured resin, sometimes simply called "resin," is a popular type of cannabis concentrate made from cannabis flowers that have been dried and cured. This traditional process enhances the plant’s natural flavors and optimizes cannabinoid profiles.
Making resin from cannabis is rooted in the age-old practice of hash-making, where trichomes were manually separated from dried cannabis plants. Modern techniques have since advanced, allowing for more efficient extractions and higher purity.
How is cured resin made?
- Drying: After harvesting, the cannabis plants are carefully dried to reduce moisture content without degrading valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Curing: The dried cannabis is then placed in controlled environments to cure, which helps in developing a richer flavor profile and removing harsh-tasting compounds.
- Extraction: The fully dried and cured cannabis undergoes solvent-based extraction, which isolates the potent oils from the plant matter and captures a broad spectrum of the plant's cannabinoids.
Cured resin typically has a lower terpene content than live resin, which can contain about 11% or more terpenes. While some volatile terpenes are lost during curing, the process is often credited with providing a broader, more stable terpene profile compared to fresher cannabis products. Many believe this contributes to a fuller and more complex high.
The THC levels in cured resin are similar to live resin, typically ranging from the low 70s to the high 80s in percentage. However, the depth and quality of the high, often described as more nuanced and profound, distinguishes cured resin.
What is Live Resin?
Live resin is a premium cannabis concentrate celebrated for capturing the full aroma and flavor profile of freshly harvested cannabis. Unlike other concentrates like distillate or cured resin, live resin is produced from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis flowers right at harvest, which preserves a more complex array of terpenes and cannabinoids.
Live resin was born from the desire to retain the entire spectrum of flavors and smells of cannabis that typically diminish during the drying and curing processes. The creators of live resin wanted to lock in the volatile compounds that contribute to the plant's unique character by freezing the plant immediately after harvest.
How is live resin produced?
- Harvesting and Freezing: Immediately after harvest, the whole plant is frozen to halt the degradation of its delicate terpene and cannabinoid-containing trichomes.
- Extraction: Live resin extraction uses solvents like butane or propane at low temperatures to effectively pull out the rich, aromatic oils without damaging the plant’s volatile compounds.
- Purging: The concentrate is then carefully purged of solvents at low temperatures to ensure that the rich terpene profile and cannabinoids remain intact and active.
Live resin boasts a high terpene content, which can be around 6% or higher, significantly enhancing its intense flavors and aromas. These terpenes, particularly the heat-sensitive monoterpenes, are crucial for delivering a sharp, vivid high that reflects the plant’s freshness.
Combined with a potent range of cannabinoids that often match those of cured resin (typically in the 60s to high 70s percentage range), live resin offers a uniquely rich and vibrant consumption experience that is both powerful and deeply aromatic.
Cured Resin vs Live Resin: Their Effects
When choosing between cured resin and live resin, understanding the effects, potency differences, and potential risks and benefits can help users find the right concentrate that best aligns with their preferences and needs.
Effects
Often described as providing a more comprehensive, body-focused high, cured resin, it is believed to offer a fuller spectrum of effects. This is due to its production process, which involves drying and curing the cannabis plant, potentially allowing for a richer cannabinoid and terpene profile that some users find more balanced and relaxing.
Live resin is known for its vivid and dynamic effects due to a higher preservation of terpenes. It captures the fresh plant’s profile and delivers an experience that many describe as more cerebral and sensory-rich. The high terpene content potentially enhances the entourage effect, possibly making the intoxicating experience more intense and immediate.
Potency
Both live and cured resins typically feature similar THC levels, ranging from the low 60s and 70s to high 80s percentage-wise. With high-potency concentrates, finding the right dose is crucial to reaping the most benefits from the cannabinoids and reducing the risk of adverse effects.
Live resin’s terpene concentration is usually higher, influencing the flavor and aroma and potentially enhancing the overall intoxicating experience. Though lower in terpenes, cured resin may develop a more refined cannabinoid and terpene profile through its curing process.
Risks and Benefits
Cured Resin:
- Benefits: Offers a longer shelf life and a more consistent experience. It is generally less expensive than live resin, making it a good choice for those looking for high potency at a more affordable price.
- Risks: The aroma and flavor can be less intense compared to live resin, and the effects might be slightly diminished due to the loss of some terpenes during the curing process.
Live Resin:
- Benefits: High terpene content enhances the sensory experience and may offer more significant therapeutic benefits. The flavor and aroma are highly reflective of the original plant.
- Risks: It is more expensive due to the more complex production process and availability of quality flower material.
Cured Resin and Live Resin: Uses and Flexibility
Cured resin and live resin serve similar purposes but offer unique experiences suited to different consumer preferences. Both can be used in various consumption methods, including dabbing and vaping and are versatile across different product types.
Both resins are excellent for dabbing and vaping. The choice between them often depends on whether the user values the rich, matured flavors of cured resin or live resin's bright, fresh terpene profiles.
Both types of resin are found in products ranging from easy-to-use dab pens and cartridges (carts) to edibles and topicals. Ultimately, choosing between cured and live resin really boils down to what you prefer and how you plan to use it. Each type is flexible, letting you tailor your cannabis experience to get just the right taste and effects you’re looking for.
What Types of Cured Resin and Live Resin Products Are Available?
Cured and live resin can be processed into similar product types, such as cartridges, edibles, and topicals, each offering distinct experiences based on their production methods.
- Cartridges: Easy-to-use cartridges are available for both resin types. Cured resin carts deliver rich, balanced flavors that are great for a smooth experience. Live resin carts stand out for their vivid, fresh flavors that bring out the plant’s natural aromas.
- Edibles: While not as common as other forms, edibles made from live resin are becoming more popular due to their ability to retain the fresh terpenes of the cannabis plant, enhancing both flavor and effect.
- Topicals: Whether you pick a topical with cured resin for consistent relief or live resin for its aromatic properties, both offer targeted benefits with different cannabinoid and terpene profiles.
- Concentrates: Cured resin is available as badder/budder, wax, or sugar and is known for its stability and ease of handling. Often found as badder/budder, sugar, or sauce, live resin is sought after for its rich terpene profile, offering more fluid textures and vibrant flavors.
- Infused Products: Both types of resin are used in infused joints and moon rocks. Live resin is particularly popular in these products because its high terpene percentage adds a robust flavor and potent effects.
You can find both cured and live resin products at dispensaries where cannabis is legal. Cured resin might be perfect for you if you prefer a deeper, longer-lasting high. On the other hand, if intense flavors and quick effects are what you're after, live resin could be the better choice.
Whether you opt for cured or live resin, learning about the different product forms and their use can help you pick the right product for your needs. Each type has its own perks, catering to various tastes and preferences.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
