The cannabis industry has come a long way from rolling up joints or packing bowls. Now, you can experience cannabis in even more formats. Whether you prefer vaping, dabbing, topicals, or eating edibles, there are plenty of ways to enjoy high-quality weed. For many people, smoking is the go-to. It’s classic, simple, and flavorful, and the effects are almost immediate.
Smoking weed will never go out of style, but if you are looking for something a little more potent and even more flavorful, live resin is a stellar choice. It’s terpy, tasty, and packs a punch. For fans of flavor, live resin cannot be beat. This juicy, vibrant extract is made with the absolute freshest cannabis to capture the true essence of the strain.
Let’s dip into the details on how to smoke live resin and what other factors you might consider on your journey to discovering your perfect strain.
Overview: Live Resin
Live resin is a cannabis extract made with the full, live flower of the cannabis plant. The plants are cut down at the pinnacle of harvest when the trichomes are ripe and bursting with flavor. Commonly, extractors will flash-freeze the buds and store them in a freezer for later use. At BLOOM, we cut down the fresh plant and extract it within 24 hours after harvest. No cryogenics, no freezers for long-term storage. This process preserves the fragile trichomes, reducing any potential damage to the cannabinoids and terpenes that might otherwise be lost during the drying and curing process or when stored long term.
Since we did not damage the cannabinoids and terpenes during harvest, the concentrations are much higher than many other types of extracts, meaning that our live resin cartridges are very potent and aromatic. Live resin is an artform of extraction, producing perhaps the most flavorful and terpene-rich smokable and dabbable extract available.
How to Smoke a Live Resin Cartridge
Cartridges are a popular choice due to their convenience, affordability, and ease of use. They also travel well, are never messy, and taste great. What’s not love? Live resin is a thick, saucy extract, and can somewhat resemble the crystallized honey left at the bottom of the jar. When first extracted, the liquid is too viscous to be put into a vape cartridge. We use a unique combination of extraction, distillation, and terpene formulation that makes a perfect live resin cartridge. For anyone wondering how to smoke live resin – a vape cartridge is an excellent choice.
Not only are they great for recreational use, but the high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes truly provide a potent medicine for patients. Terpenes are known to target various physical and emotional conditions, alleviating pain and elevating the mood. Cartridges are suitable for anyone, but we suggest the following practical tips before you get started.
Start With a Low Dose and Wait
Everyone has a unique endocannabinoid system, and we all experience the effects of cannabinoids and terpenes differently. Trying out different strains and doses is the only way to discover what works for you. To get started, choose any one of BLOOM’s select live resin cartridges. There are plenty of flavors and terpene profiles to please every palate. Begin with a one to two-second puff—no need to draw deeply on the pen. Just inhale lightly for a couple of seconds and then exhale. Effects begin within minutes, but it might take up to a half-hour for full effects. If you would like to be a little higher, try another one to two puffs and wait and see how you feel. Continue to increase use as you’d like.
Know Your Terpenes
Terpenes are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds produced throughout the plant kingdom. They are responsible for creating the aromatic scent of many plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, and even some animals and insects. These compounds also contribute to the overall mood and effect of a cannabis strain.
Did you know that the calming, floral aroma of lavender is because of the terpene linalool? Limonene is an energizing terpene best recognized in the zest of citrus fruits, and myrcene is responsible for that fruity, musky aroma of myrcene. All of these terpenes (and over 100 more!) are found in cannabis.
Terpenes work synergistically alongside cannabinoids to create what is known as the ‘entourage effect.’ This term is used to describe the overall harmonious effect of consuming these naturally occurring plant substances together. For example, if you were to consume just one isolated cannabinoid, like THC, you would certainly get very high, but you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the well-rounded benefits of the other cannabinoids and the terpenes. They simply work better together for both the body and the mind.
Take Note of Your Experience
Keeping a notebook handy for journaling your experience can help find your ideal strain. It might take a little patience and practice to find your perfect puff, but dialing in your dosage and preferred blend is sublime. Consider jotting down any or all of the following in your journal to track each experience.
- Starting Point: How is your mood currently? What did you do today?
- Physical Considerations: Did you eat recently? Are you well hydrated? Are you experiencing any pain?
- Time of Day: Are you well-rested? Did you just wake up, or are you getting ready for bed?
- Setting: Are you alone or with someone? Where are you smoking (indoors, outdoors, at home, or elsewhere)?
- Physical Activity: Did you exercise today? Do you exercise regularly? *note if cannabis promotes or impedes your physical activity
- Cannabis Details: What is the strain? How are you consuming it (vape, dab, joint, bowl, etc)? What are the terpene and cannabinoid profiles?
These are some suggestions, but feel free to elaborate as much as you’d like. The more information you can document, the better your experiment will be. Sometimes, it can be helpful to simply seek out personal guidance to get a good recommendation for a first try. Many dispensaries have dedicated professionals who would be happy to help you target your specific goals and make recommendations for you.
How to Smoke Live Resin Budder
Live resin budder is made by extracting live cannabis plants within two hours of harvesting. Much like live resin sauce, budder is creamy and dripping with terpenes. It’s an easy-to-use extract because of it’s texture — it’s not too liquidy, nor is it too sticky to handle. And the flavor? Absolutely unrivaled.
Budder is vaporized in a dab rig with a set of tools designed to vaporize the budder at precisely the right temperature. Dabbing is a process in itself and is definitely an art for the connoisseur. Here’s how it’s done.
Heat up the Nail With a Torch
Every dab rig has a nail that the extract is going to be placed on while it vaporizes. The nail can be made of glass, titanium, or quartz and varies based on preference or type of rig. The first step is to heat the nail with a torch. It’s okay to heat the nail until it glows red, especially if it’s the first time. This removes any impurities.
Wait for the Nail to Cool
Next, let the nail cool off for a while. The ideal temperature for live resin budder is 300-3600 F. An infrared thermometer can help monitor the cooling. As a general rule, it can take 30-60 seconds for the nail to cool to the ideal temperature. Using a thermometer is the only way to know for sure. Dabbing at lower temperatures allows for better flavor and a less harsh experience. High temperatures scorch flavor and waste much of the extract.
Place Budder on the Surface of the Nail
Use a dab tool, scoop up a small amount of the budder and place it directly on to the surface of the nail. The heat will vaporize the budder, and this signals that to begin slowly inhaling the vapor. Don’t take a big hit and inhale quickly, vaporizing a more delicate process than smoking a bong or joint. If available, cover the nail with a carb cap to keep in more heat, allowing for the most vapor possible.
Exhale Vapor Immediately
No need to hold in the vapor, exhale immediately and empty the lungs completely. Effects begin within 5-10 minutes. Wait and see how you feel before taking any more dabs.
Take Note of Your Experience
Keep track of the dabbing experience just like you would with a vape pen. Consider your state of mind and intention going in, and details about the type of extract. THC percentage and terpene profile are important to note, as well as dabbing temperature.
Final Thoughts
Live resin is a wonderfully fun way to enjoy cannabis both recreationally and medicinally. It provides deeply nourishing effects from the concentrated cannabinoids and rich terpene content. We hope this post offers a little more insight into how to smoke live resin and discover the best strains for you. Head over to our shop and check out all of our great strains and find a dispensary carrying BLOOM near you.
