exploring THCa live resin: what you need to know 

We all know that THCa is taking the cannabis industry by storm. Since it is known for being potent for medical purposes, a lot of people appreciate the strength without the overwhelming psychoactive effects.

It should also be known that when heat is used or applied in any way, THCa quickly becomes potent THC. You’ve probably heard of live resin already, and now THCa live resin is another popular option. 

In this guide, we will share everything you need to know about THCa live resin. We will give you a general overview of what it is, how it’s made, and more. Stay tuned to learn all the deets.

ok, so what is THCa live resin? 

You should understand both THCa and live resin to really understand what the two combined items are. So, let’s start with THCa. 

THCa

THCa translates to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. Don’t worry, THCa is way easier to say and people are more likely to know what it is anyway. The official definition of THCa is that it is the precursor to THC, which is tetrahydrocannabinol. These two things are very different so don’t get them confused. 

THCa comes before THC and as such, it doesn’t have the psychoactive compounds that often make people have a “high” sensation when they use the product. In its raw form or even when it has been extracted without any use of heat, it remains that way.

THCa is often taken through a process called decarboxylation. Ultimately, this is a vacuum and heat process that removes carbon atoms from the compound. When that happens, the THCa becomes THC. Do you see where we’re going with this? 

THCa only remains free of THC as long as it doesn’t get heated. The instant it goes through decarboxylation or is utilized with heat through vaping or smoking, it is no longer THCa with no psychoactive effects.

Now, it is THC and it has highly potent psychoactive effects. Most THCa that is transformed into THC is very potent. It is also potent in its THCa form but in a totally different way. 

live resin

Alright, now let’s talk about live resin for a moment. Live resin is a cannabis concentrate. It’s not just some part of the marijuana plant. Instead, it’s made by taking the elements of the cannabis plant and extracting them to create a concentrated material.

When making live resin, the focus is to preserve terpenes and a range of cannabinoids that provide the flavor and aroma of the plant. 

There are plenty of cannabis products out there that are made of concentrates, so what makes live resin any different? It’s the word live that really stands out here. Most cannabis concentrates are made by first preparing the cannabis plant by curing and drying it. However, live resin doesn’t do that. 

Instead, the plant is harvested at the right time and then immediately flash-frozen. That immediate freezing process preserves the elements of the plant at that moment in time, therefore maintaining the very best and freshest qualities.

Take note that live resin and live rosin are not the same. The word live means the same thing here, but rosin is created using solventless extraction. Resin still uses solvents to create the concentrate. 

so…THCa live resin? 

When you put the qualities of THCa and live resin together, you get the benefits of both. THCa is federally legal, which is why it is so popular. It works well for the medicinal benefits and for those who don’t want a strong high from using their product.

With the right method for extraction to create live resin, the delicate terpenes and minor cannabinoids are retained at the time of harvest and so are the THCa elements. 

The combination of live resin and THCa is a potent concentrate that retains the inactivated forms of THC while still providing a full spectrum experience by preserving the elements of the THCa flower through the flash-freezing process. 

how is it made? 

The process of making THCa live resin is very specific. The most important step is the immediate flash freezing of the plant after harvest. Without that step, it just becomes resin instead of live resin. 

Here is a quick look at the process:

Harvest and flash freeze
Extract from frozen cannabis
Purge remaining solvent
Crystallization process

Don’t worry — more on these steps below. 

harvest and flash freeze

The growers and producers know when they should harvest the plants for the best results. After all, that is their responsibility. You just trust that they harvested at the right time to make their live resin.

The real key to this step is to then immediately flash freeze the plant. Flash freezing will preserve the rich terpene profile and cannabinoids exactly at that state. It’s the freshest possible state, which leads to an aromatic and flavorful experience. Notice there is no drying and curing here. 

extract from frozen cannabis 

The extraction process usually happens shortly after the plant is frozen. It’s a relatively quick process and it’s unlikely that the cannabis will just be left in the freezer for a year before extraction happens.

During extraction, the cannabis is taken through a process using solvents to extract the desired elements. In this case, the focus is on THCa specifically. However, extraction will also separate any desired compounds related to that particular extraction. 

Most of the time, the solvents used are something like propane or butane. There are some other solvents used, but these are the most common. Live resin will also go through a process that uses solvents. It is live rosin that uses a solventless extraction method.

At this point, if the maker specifically wanted to convert into THC, they would use a carboxylation process to make that happen. 

purge remaining solvent 

Since a solvent is used, it is critical to purge residual solvents from the materials. This is for safety but will also contribute to the purity of the final product. A company that truly cares about their product will purge more than once because they want your product to be pure and high quality. 

Purging typically uses heat and a vacuum to extract all of the residual solvents out of the extraction. Always pay close attention to this detail or look for purity testing. The last thing you want is extra chemicals in your product. 

crystallization process

The final step for THCa live resin is to use a crystallization process. This is what completes the product for consumption and use. The crystalline structure simply helps to preserve the resin in a way that retains the rich terpenes in the liquid. 

understanding the benefits

THCa live resin from hemp plants has some great benefits. It’s not just popular because of the lack of psychoactive effects if that’s what you’re asking. Check out these benefits: 

Potent: highly concentrated product with potent cannabinoid dosage. The natural terpenes are rich but in a smaller amount. The result is strong and potent effects. 

Flavormatic and aromatic: thanks to that flash freezing step, the entire process preserved the rich terpenes. That means the natural elements are still part of the mix, bringing you a vibrant and natural experience for both flavor and aroma. 

Versatile: People can enjoy THCa live resin in different ways. This includes making tinctures, using cannabis oils, creating baked goods, dabbing, smoking, and vaping. You can also find different flavors if you’re vaping or enjoying edibles. 

Therapeutic benefits: there are many potential therapeutic benefits of THCa, which is what most people use it for. It helps with nausea, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory needs. Remember that with decarboxylation the product turns into THC. It still provides therapeutic benefits, but would also produce psychoactive benefits in that case. 

using THCa live resin

We all have different experiences and expectations. Unless you are already familiar with this product and the best way to experience dosage for your needs, it’s best to take it slow. Give your dose time to work before you add another dose. These are some tips you can use to help. 

Start with a low dose and adjust slowly to find the right fit

Use equipment that works for the way you want to experience the product

Store your products properly to preserve them for the best consumption

Be aware of the potent effects and prepare accordingly 

It’s all about understanding what this product is and how different uses might affect your experience. There is nothing wrong with taking it slow. You can also consult with a professional if you are seeking a very specific dose for specific use. Find what works for you.

conclusion 

THCa live resin is popular because THCa is federally legal. More and more people are learning of the benefits and taking advantage of this option.

It only makes sense that we ensure the cannabis industry knows exactly what they are working with. Explore cannabis in whatever way makes you happy. There are plenty of options for everyone. 

Looking for quality live resin products? Our vape products are 100% live resin! Check them out today.