Live Resin vs Oil: What's the Difference?

In today's cannabis market, there are so many different cannabis concentrates that it can get confusing to understand what each one is, especially if you are just getting familiar with cannabis.

Considering this, here's 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.
• Although live resin and oil may seem almost the same, there are key differences that separate one concentrate from the other.
• The extraction processes for live resin and cannabis oil is 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?

Live resin is a cannabis concentrate extracted from freshly harvested cannabis flowers, then passed through a flash-frozen process. 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 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. It is extracted from cannabis plants or hashish and exists in the form of resinous oil that contains mostly cannabinoids - 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 hemp or 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. As such, 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.

• Live resin and oil come from THC-rich cannabis or hemp plants.
• Both concentrates use solvents in their extraction processes.
• 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 concentrates are widely used in edibles and vape cartridges.

Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Differences?

Although live resin and oil may seem similar, the reality is that they share key differences that separate one concentrate from the other. Here are 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.
• 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.

Live Resin vs Oil: How Are They Made?

The extraction processes for live resin and cannabis oil is where lies the most significant difference between these two concentrates. On the one hand, the process of making cannabis oil or distillate involves treating the flower with high temperatures or heating the flowers in a carrier oil so that the cannabinoids and other compounds are diluted in the oil.

On the other hand, to make live resin, manufacturers use flowers that have been frozen immediately after harvest to preserve as many compounds as possible. These frozen flowers are then processed using solvents to remove the compounds from the plant matter.

An essential factor to highlight is that, depending on the type of cannabis oil, the production process can vary significantly. Distilled cannabis oils use high temperatures to evaporate compounds from plant matter for later collecting. In contrast, some cannabis oils are made by simply heating cannabis in a carrier oil to dilute the cannabinoids and other compounds in it.

Live Resin vs Oil: What Are The Effects?

The effects of live resin compared to cannabis oils are obviously different due to the nature of each concentrate. Live resin can generate the famous entourage effect attributed to cannabis that occurs when all its organic compounds work together.

The entourage effect theory suggests that terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids boost or build on each other's effects to create a unique combination of potential beneficial effects. This is why there are strains that serve more to sleep and others to stay active.

Live resin can also generate this effect as it contains all the organic compounds of a cannabis strain. In contrast, cannabis oils generate somewhat milder or less complex effects since they contain mostly a single cannabinoid and do not retain many of the terpenes and other organic compounds of the plant.

How is Live Resin Used?

In this sense, live resin is very similar to other cannabis concentrates as you can dab, smoke, vape, or eat it. To dab live resin, you need to use a concentrate dab rig. Alternatively, you can simply add a chunk of live resin to your joints or bowls to smoke it.

It is also common to find vape cartridges containing live resin in their formulation. They are becoming increasingly popular as they offer one of the closest-to-plant experiences in the cannabis vaping market.

You can also find some edibles, such as gummies, candies, or even baked goods, containing live resin to preserve the original flavors and aromas of the cannabis strain used in the recipe.

How Are Cannabis Oils Used?

One way to use cannabis oil is to take it sublingually. Taking cannabis oil this way increases the bioavailability of the cannabinoids. Taken sublingually, the oil bypasses the stomach and liver, and the cannabinoids enter through our mucous membranes, thus becoming available in our body faster and in greater quantity.

Sublingual ingestion of cannabis generates effects in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Nonetheless, this is not the only way to take cannabis oil.

You can also use it as you would with other cannabis edibles, in capsules, or add it to foods and drinks. This way of using cannabis oil is also effective. But, it affects the bioavailability of the cannabinoids since the stomach and liver must first process them before they become available in our bloodstream.

So, the onset of effects of cannabis oil ingested as an edible can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what you have eaten before and your metabolism.

What is the Difference Between Oil, Concentrate and Distillate?

Oil refers to cannabis concentrates in the form of oil that can be manufactured industrially, in laboratories, or even at home. Cannabis oils can contain THC, CBD, CBN, Delta-8, or any other cannabinoid, depending on the raw material and the methods used to make it.

Note: hemp seed oil made from hemp seeds contains trace amounts to no CBD at all.

The word "concentrate" refers to a general concept that involves all those cannabis products that separate one or more compounds from the rest of the plant matter and concentrates them into a purer substance. It also encompasses all cannabis products extracted from the flowers or other parts of the cannabis plant, from the most classic and well-known as hashish or kief to other most recent and elaborated concentrates, such as resins, oils, and tinctures.

Finally, when talking about distillates, reference is made to substances that have gone through a more refined extraction process in which the organic compounds of cannabis are separated from the plant matter by evaporating, distilling, and later collecting them to obtain these compounds in their purest form.

Although distillates may seem to be just regular oils at first glance, they are much more refined substances that do not contain the impurities that other traditional cannabis oils might have .

Final Thoughts

Although live resin and oils may share similarities, they also have certain differences that significantly separate them from each other. In this sense, if you are looking for a concentrate that gives you a complete, close-to-the-plant experience, live resin could be your best option.

But, if you are looking for a concentrate that gives you pure cannabis potency and to experience the effects of a cannabinoid in its most pristine state, then cannabis oil or distillate would be the best choice.

In any case, when talking about live resin and oils, we refer to the potent and refined concentrates on the cannabis market. It is vital to understand the similarities and differences between them to accurately choose the best type of concentrate according to our needs or preferences.

Where to Buy Live Resin and Cannabis Oils Online

Cannabis oils and live resin have become so popular these days that finding them is easy. Local dispensaries usually offer several options for oils, resins, or products that contain them.

However, buying cannabis oils or live resin online and directly from the manufacturer brands remains the most convenient option to get them. Purchasing your concentrates directly from the manufacturers ensures you get a high-quality, safe products.

The good news is, if you want to try some top-shelf quality live resin, you just found the golden pot at the end of the rainbow! At Botany Farms, we have the best live resin concentrates to satisfy the most demanding users' needs.

If you want a federally legal live resin product that will give you the therapeutic psychoactive effects of cannabis, our Delta-8 live resin tincture may be the ideal choice. This live resin tincture contains the terpenes of our select Sour Space Candy, infused with 33mg of CBD and 17mg of Delta-8, providing a full, flavorful, and truly healing experience.

If you are looking for a complete therapeutic experience with very few psychoactive effects, our live resin tincture with CBD+THC could be exactly what you are looking for. Our CBD+THC live resin tincture carries notes of lemon, sour apple, and fresh earth and contains 50mg of CBD and just 2mg of THC, capable of delivering an ensuing effect that creates a soothing experience that is one of a kind.

But, if you love fancy rarities and uncommon cannabis products, our THC-V Live Resin + Delta-8 extract vape cartridges will surely catch your eye. These vape cartridges are created using flower from the delicious Pink Panther strain, harvested ten days earlier than usual to preserve a more terpenes, thus carrying delicious notes of bubblegum, candy, and slight sour nuances.

Our THC-V Live Resin + Delta-8 vape cartridges pack 57.5% Delta-8, 11.3% CBD, and 2% THC-V that work together to deliver a rare medicinal effect. Best of all, getting any of these products is as easy peasy.