- Key Takeaways
- What is Live Resin?
- What is Cannabis Oil?
- Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Similarities?
- Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Differences?
- Live Resin vs Oil: How Are They Made?
- Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Effects?
- How is Live Resin Used?
- How Are Cannabis Oils Used?
- What is the Difference Between Oil, Concentrate and Distillate?
- Final Thoughts
- Where to Buy Live Resin and Cannabis Oils Online
Dabs, wax, oils, resin, shatter; In today's cannabis market, there are so many different options for concentrates that it can get confusing to understand what each one is, especially if you are just getting familiar with everything related to cannabis. This is why it can be much more common than you might initially think to have doubts about what exactly differentiates one concentrate from another.
Considering this, we made a complete guide comparing two of the most popular concentrates currently among users worldwide: live resin and cannabis oils. In this post, we delve into the similarities and differences between live resin and oils, their extraction methods, their effects, and how to use them. So, if you want to better understand what exactly are live resin and oils and the differences that set them apart, read on, and you will find all the answers you need.
Key Takeaways
- Both live resin and the oil can come from THC-rich cannabis or hemp plants.
- Although live resin and oil may seem almost the same, the reality is that they share key differences that separate one concentrate from the other.
- The extraction process of live resin and cannabis oil is where lies one of the most significant differences between these two concentrates.
- The effects of live resin compared to cannabis oils can be significantly different due to the nature of each concentrate.
What is Live Resin?
Simply put, live resin is a cannabis concentrate extracted from freshly harvested cannabis flowers, then passed through a flash-frozen process. Then manufacturers treat the flowers with solvents such as propane, butane, or butane hash oil to obtain the plant's organic compounds after separating them from the rest of the plant matter. Live resin carries the word “live” because the flash-frozen process that plants go through immediately after being harvested preserves most of the organic components of the resin, including cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. This process makes live resin one of the concentrates that deliver the most true-to-plant experience in terms of flavors and aromas.What is Cannabis Oil?
Cannabis oil is also called hash oil or cannabis distillate and is a type of oil extracted from cannabis plants or hashish. It is a type of cannabis concentrate in the form of resinous oil that contains mostly cannabinoids, which are the active compounds in cannabis, and fewer terpenes than live resin. Cannabis oils or distillates are highly refined oils that can hold up to 95% pure cannabinoid content, making them one of the most potent cannabis concentrates on the market. The confusing thing about cannabis oil is that several different products are labeled as cannabis oil, like THC-rich cannabis oil, CBN oil, CBD oil, or hemp oil extract. Added to this, you also have distillates, which brings even more confusion to the formula. This is because, while all distillates are oils, not all cannabis oils can be considered distillates; the characteristics of these oils can vary a lot depending on whether it is a distillate cannabis oil or homemade cannabis oil. But, whether homemade or distillate, all cannabis oils can come from both hemp and cannabis. Therefore, cannabis oil can be rich in THC or CBD. However, when people talk about cannabis oil, they usually refer to oil that comes from THC-rich, recreational, or medical cannabis rather than industrial hemp. In any case, if you are considering getting cannabis oil, it is best to check the label to verify precisely what cannabinoids the oil contains.Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Similarities?
Now that we know what live resin and cannabis oil exactly are, let's take a closer look at the similarities these concentrates share. The most important similarities between live resin and cannabis oil are the following.- Both the live resin and the oil can come from THC-rich cannabis or hemp plants.
- Both concentrates use solvents in their extraction process.
- Both live resin and oil can be vaporized, smoked, or dabbed. So, you can find cannabis oil and live resin in edibles, topicals, and other cannabis products.
- Both types of concentrate are widely used in edibles and vape cartridges.
Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Differences?
Although live resin and oil may seem almost the same, the reality is that they share key differences that separate one concentrate from the other. We will find the following among the most significant differences between live resin and oil or distillate.- One of the most noticeable differences between live resin and oil is their appearance and texture. Cannabis oil has a slightly translucent soft amber coloration and an almost runny oily texture. In contrast, live resin is thicker, almost pasty in texture, often lumpy, and has a more vibrant yellowish-amber coloration.
- To make live resin, manufacturers use fresh or flash-frozen cannabis flowers, while distillate generally uses dried or cured flowers or leaves.
- The flavors and aromas between live resin and oil can vary greatly. Live resin has stronger flavors and fragrances due to its high terpene content. In contrast, cannabis oil is a concentrate that mainly contains a pure cannabinoid and is often low in terpenes, making flavors and aromas more subdued.
- The cannabinoid content of the live resin needs to be decarboxylated to activate the cannabinoids before it is consumed, which usually occurs when applying heat to smoke it. On the other hand, the cannabis oil is already activated, so it does not need to be decarbed before taking it orally.