Live Resin Vs. Shatter

Live resin and shatter are two popular cannabis concentrates that have emerged to meet the needs of cannabis customers looking for a stronger, more intense way to get high. These two in-demand cannabis concentrates have taken the industry by storm. 

Live resin and shatter are both types of extracts, a form of concentrates that are sticky to the touch, and usually described by their texture. Shatters are hard and brittle – like the coating on candy apples – and live resin is more malleable, like taffy. Concentrates are laden with THC but can also contain high levels of CBD, depending on the plant they were sourced from. 

There are thousands of cannabis concentrate products to choose from – some require specialized smoking devices, and some don’t. Either way, concentrates are potent and versatile, making them ideal for many cannabis users looking for new consumption methods to try. 

Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates are processed cannabis products that come from the marijuana plant and are designed to yield the most terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. They are created through a process that isolates the two most common cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Of the 113 identified cannabinoids, THC is primarily responsible for altering the brain and making people feel high. 

Since THC concentrates incorporate the best parts of the plant, they are considerably stronger than flower and other traditional forms of THC. Marijuana concentrates may also contain a larger proportion of cannabinoids and terpenes per dose than typical cannabis flower due to the distilling process. 

To put this in perspective, the strongest identified cannabis flower is Godfather OG, which has THC levels between 30%-35% and is touted as “the world’s strongest strain.” Shatter is the strongest cannabis concentrate, with THC levels varying between 40% and 70% in comparison.

Cannabis concentrates are available in many different forms and can be used in various ways. Cannabis concentrates are produced using different methods, including dry, using water or CO2, and with solvents like isopropanol oil. 

Smoking Cannabis Concentrates

Live resin and Shatter are two popular types of cannabis concentrates that are usually vaporized and inhaled using a dab tool, vape cartridge, or carts pre-filled with cannabis oil. When vaporized, concentrates produce less smoke, have less odor, and are fast-acting. They have a longer shelf life than many cannabis products and deliver a more precise dose for greater consistency. 

What Is Live Resin?

Of the many types of concentrates or extracts, live resin is a more recent addition chosen by consumers for its psychoactive effects, unique flavor, and pleasant aroma. Because live resin is made with fresh cannabis flower that is flash frozen, it retains the distinct and heavy terpene profile and aroma associated with flower. Live resin is one of the most affordable yet most potent cannabis concentrates, making it a top selection among cannabis connoisseurs.

Live resin is produced with solvents, including butane hash oil (BHO) or propane, and then pressed. The extraction process helps preserve the robust flavors and heady aroma that’s extracted from fresh frozen cannabis plants. During this process, the plant’s trichomes are extracted with a chemical that retains and preserves the plant’s terpenes  

An easy way to try live resin is by smoking an infused joint or pipe, where the resin weed is mixed with traditional flower for a more intense experience. When smoked, live resin is flavorful with a strong aroma. It can also be smoked from a convenient, portable live resin vape pen or cartridge specially designed for this type of concentrate. Live resin can also be found in gummies and pre-rolls. 

Live Resin Carts

Live resin carts provide an accessible, handy way to experience a variety of strains that range in potency. Some carts come with a battery, making them disposable, while other vapes and carts are sold separately from the battery, and cartridges are replaced. 

This live resin cart from Biscotti is an Indica-dominant hybrid with 59.3% THC derived from premium Gelato #25 and Sour Florida OG cannabis, for a clean, strong Indica reminiscent of the flower it was made from. Blotter’s concentrates begin with the finest flower that’s flash-frozen for an optimal clean taste that’s true to its strain. 

Shatter

Shatter is a newer form of cannabis concentrate that was introduced in the 1990s and gained traction in the early 2000s. Shatter is made by extracting cannabinoids distilled into a potent form heated to a high temperature in a special smoking device called a dab rig. 

Shatter is the most potent concentrate because it undergoes an additional filtration process that removes naturally occurring waxes and fat. Shatter is usually higher in THC than other forms of cannabis and can be composed of up to 97% cannabinoid content.

Shatter is made using heat and compression, resulting in a glassy, smooth, hard substance that fractures easily. It is most effective when vaped or smoked from a dab rig or dab tool but can also be vaped. 

Dab Shatter

Shatter is commonly consumed by ‘dabbing,’ a way of smoking cannabis that uses a type of water pipe heated to a high temperature. This type of extraction is called a ‘dab,’ a term that has become synonymous with dabbing extracts like wax, crumble, and shatter.

Dabbing shatter is fast and intense. The shatter is placed on a heated surface called a nail, producing a vapor that is then inhaled through the water pipe. The active cannabinoids are powerful, almost immediate, lasting up to 24 hours.

If you don’t have a dab rig, consider purchasing an electric dab tool like this one from Ooze. You can also try shatter by adding it to a pipe or mixing it into a joint where it will melt. 

Live Resin vs Shatter

Concentrates are more potent than regular flower. Both live resin and shatter are made using a process called BHO (Butane Hash Oil), which extracts the oil from preserved cannabis flower using solvents and pressure, for a more potent cannabis concentrate that kicks in almost immediately. 

Live resin is higher in THC than shatter, making it a more potent cannabis concentrate. There is a large variance in THC levels among live resin products, but they weigh in with 50% – 90% THC. Shatter products usually contain between 50% and 80% THC.

The biggest difference between live resin and shatter is their appearance. Shatter is an amber-colored, translucent product with a lovely crystal structure. It’s hard like candy and fragments easily, hence the name ‘shatter.’ Live resin loses its crystalline structure during agitation in the purging process, resulting in a granular appearance. It is not see-through and resembles sugar due to the tiny trichomes. 

Wrap Up

In general, cannabis concentrates have more THC and products like live resin and shatter can get people sky-high in a New York minute. It’s imperative that you fully understand what you are ordering for delivery, and that all your questions are answered so you can make informed choices. Sampling any new cannabis products should always be done in a private, secure environment where you feel comfortable and don’t have to drive anywhere. 

Let Doobie delivery bring the dispensary to you!

If you haven’t tried, cannabis concentrates, make yourself comfy and ring Doobie’s Concierge at 1-888-8 DOOBIE to help you get started, or chat with them online at Doobie. The trained, licensed team at Doobie will walk you through all things cannabis, including placing your order for you.

As with all cannabis products, take it extra slow when trying anything new. It’s far easier to get higher than it is to become sober suddenly (which is virtually impossible), so be careful and create an optimal situation in which to enjoy the many wonders of cannabis.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Please consume cannabis responsibly and follow all local laws and regulations.