What is live resin?
Last updated on Oct 21, 2025
Created on Feb 25, 2023
Article written by
April AcernoContent Writer
Content reviewed by
Dr. Gavin MorelandMedical Director
Live resin is a type of full-spectrum cannabis concentrate made from flash-frozen cannabis flower.
By preserving the plant immediately after harvest, live resin retains more cannabinoids and terpenes than other extracts. This makes it a popular option in vaporizers, edibles, and other cannabis products.
Learn how live resin is made and what benefits it offers over other types of cannabis extracts.
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What is live resin?
Live resin is a thick, sticky cannabis concentrate that contains high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Due to its high terpene content, live resin often has a strong aroma. Its color usually ranges from golden to dark amber.
In terms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level, live resin is generally stronger than cured resin, a similar full-spectrum cannabis extract made from dry-cured cannabis flower. Live resin typically isn’t as strong as other common types of cannabis concentrates, such as wax or shatter.
How is live resin made?
Live resin is made from cannabis flower that is flash-frozen after it’s harvested. Flash-freezing exposes the fresh flower to extremely low temperatures. This helps preserve delicate cannabinoids and terpenes that can be lost during traditional dry-curing methods.
Once the cannabis flower has been flash-frozen, it’s combined with a solvent, such as butane. This dissolves the plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds into a liquid.
Then, the liquid is heated at a low temperature to reduce it to a thick, sticky concentrate with a texture similar to tree resin.
Live resin benefits
Live resin offers some benefits over other cannabis extracts and concentrates:
- Potency: Live resin often has a higher potency than cured resin, with greater levels of cannabinoids and terpenes preserved through flash-freezing.
- Flavor and aroma: Due to its higher terpene content, live resin offers stronger cannabis flavors and aromas compared to cured resin.
- Versatility: Its liquid consistency makes live resin quite versatile. It’s often used in vaporizers and can be added to edibles, tinctures, and other cannabis products.
Live resin side effects
Live resin is not linked with any side effects that differ from other cannabis products. Common side effects of using cannabis include:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Confusion
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- A fast heartbeat
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
To help reduce your risk of side effects, start with a low dose of a live resin product. Increase your dose gradually until you achieve the necessary therapeutic effects.
It’s important to note that cannabis can interact with certain medications. If you take any medications, speak with your doctor about using live resin.
How do you use live resin?
Live resin can be used like any other full-spectrum cannabis extract. It is typically vaporized and inhaled using a dab rig or pen.
If you make cannabis products at home, live resin can be added to edibles, tinctures, topicals, and other recipes.
Live resin is a concentrated product, meaning its THC levels are typically higher than those found in cannabis flower or most store-bought edibles.
Start with a low dose and only increase it slowly over time, as needed and tolerated, to avoid unwanted side effects.
Types of live resin cannabis products
Live resin is a versatile extract that can be used in many cannabis products, including:
- Edibles
- Tinctures
- Topicals
- Vaporizers
- Capsules
Some cannabis pre-rolls also contain live resin, which combines the concentrate with ground cannabis flower for added potency and flavor.
Live resin vs. rosin
Rosin is another type of cannabis concentrate. The main difference between resin and rosin is how they are made.
Live resin is made by combining flash-frozen cannabis flower with a solvent to extract the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes.
Rosin is made by pressing cannabis flower between two heated surfaces. This melts the plant’s resinous glands, known as trichomes, which contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. No solvent is used to make rosin.
Rosin is typically thicker, stickier, and more potent than live resin.
When rosin is made from flash-frozen cannabis flower, it’s known as live rosin, which has similar characteristics to live resin, without the use of a solvent.
The bottom line: Live resin is a strong, flavorful cannabis concentrate
Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made with flash-frozen flower. This process preserves more cannabinoids and terpenes compared to traditional dry-curing methods. As a result, live resin is more potent and flavorful than cured resin.
Most dispensaries carry live resin cannabis products, from vaporizers and gummies to tinctures and pre-rolls. Schedule an appointment with Leafwell to get your medical card and legally access live resin products.
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Frequently asked questions
Learn more about live resin with answers to these common questions.
