One label you might have seen repeatedly at your local dispensary is probably “live resin.” Maybe you’re not sure how it differs from a standard vape cartridge, or maybe you’ve heard that the effects are “stronger” or “mind-blowing.” What exactly is going on inside of a live resin cartridge, and how is the substance inside different from other distillates on the vape shelf?

Why is live resin so distinct compared to other cartridges?
Compared to other cartridges, live resin doesn't have the highest THC potency. However, numbers aren't everything when it comes to getting the best experience for your money. THC distillate tends to have some of the highest potency on the market, but the distillation process it endures filters out a large amount of chemical impurities, including flavorful terpenes. Live resin is a concentrate in which recently harvested cannabis flower has been immediately flash-frozen and kept frozen throughout the extraction process, preserving the live cultures in the plant before extraction. While it doesn't have the highest THC potency, it does have a higher terpene content, stronger aroma, and ability to induce extra-heightened psychoactive effects. Furthermore, THC distillate is more easily available because it can be more cheaply manufactured from any unused parts of the plant that might otherwise be considered "throwaway." On the other hand, live resin focuses on incorporating the best qualities of the original plant through a very extensive preservation process.

What are terpenes?
​On a basic level, terpenes are aromatic oils responsible for the distinct smells that accompany various strains of cannabis. If a certain strain smells fruity and another smells savory, it's because of the difference in terpene types. Different variations may also promote different mental states, such as relaxation or heightened focus. In flower preparation, many of the terpenes are lost during the drying and curing processes. With higher terpene profiles in live resin, the extra-heightened psychoactive effects are delivered as a result of the terpenes interacting with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids — "the entourage effect" — making live resin a glimmering pinnacle among other cartridges and concentrates. 

How to consume live resin?
There are a few ways to take live resin. The simplest method is to simply buy a live resin cartridge and use it with a vape pen. Another method is called "dabbing" — a special water pipe called a rig is used with another component called a nail (a flat bowl) that is preheated to somewhere between 315-400 degrees Fahrenheit with a gas-powered torch. Live resin is then dropped onto the nail, where it evaporates, and the vapor can be inhaled through the other end of the rig. One other method uses nectar collectors, which consolidate this process into just one device. All three methods involve vaporizing the live resin and inhaling the resulting vapors loaded with terpenes and cannabinoids. 

If you're looking for a reason to love live resin, do it for the terpenes — the richer aromas and preserved flavors that are less abundant in other forms of weed. Anything described as "pretty terpy" is sure to be a wild experience, both for your senses and for the resulting high. Here at Bento, we recommend trying the SFV OG and Wedding Crasher live resin cartridges.

Have you ever noticed that certain things interact differently on their own versus in the presence of others? For example, coffee by itself is bitter, but in the presence of cream and sugar it becomes a latte and takes on a completely new taste. The same concept applies to the various compounds found in marijuana — you get a full spectrum of medicinal benefits from all of the compounds working together, and they react differently in your body than they would as isolates. This effect, the “entourage effect,”  is most prevalent in live resin cannabis products.
 
When it comes to cannabis, there are many forms of concentrates, and they are all unique in the way they look and the effects they produce. For example, live resin is made from material that is flash-frozen almost immediately after it is cut from the plant, and while cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted, it remains consistently frozen. This technique preserves the living cultures in the plant until they are ready for extraction, which is where the name “live” resin comes from. When other types of cannabinoids and terpenes are preserved, it provides a boost in additional medicinal benefits, a well-known component of the entourage effect. The extra cannabinoids and terpenes are most heavily concentrated in the sticky resin found in the buds of marijuana.
 
Compared to other cartridges, live resin doesn't have the highest THC potency. However, numbers aren't everything when it comes to getting the best experience for your money. THC distillate tends to have some of the highest potency on the market, but the distillation process filters out a large number of chemical impurities, including flavorful terpenes. It’s like drinking lower-quality coffee with higher caffeine levels. While live resin doesn't have the highest THC potency, it does have a higher terpene content, stronger aroma, and ability to induce extra-heightened psychoactive effects. Furthermore, THC distillate is more easily available because it can be cheaply manufactured from any unused parts of the plant that might otherwise be considered "throwaway."

How to consume live resin? 
There are a few ways to take live resin. The simplest method is to buy a live resin cartridge and use it with a vape pen. Another method is called "dabbing" — a special water pipe called a rig is used with another component called a nail (a flat bowl) that is preheated to somewhere between 315-400 degrees Fahrenheit with a gas-powered torch. Live resin is then dropped onto the nail, where it evaporates, and the vapor can be inhaled through the other end of the rig. One other method uses nectar collectors, which consolidate this process into just one device. All three methods involve vaporizing the live resin and inhaling the resulting vapors loaded with terpenes and cannabinoids.
 
What is the entourage effect?
When cannabis is smoked or vaped, hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the buds (or extract) — each possessing their own beneficial qualities — all interact with each other. The grouping of so many compounds creates an unusual synergy that changes each element’s effect, causing it to react differently in the presence of others. For example, when THC and CBD are both present in significant amounts, CBD will counteract the negative effects of anxiety or paranoia that accompany THC alone.
 
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in marijuana that each carry distinct medicinal qualities and interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. While the cannabis plant contains over 100 types of cannabinoids, the two primary ones that the weed industry prioritizes are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is known for its psychoactive properties and CBD is known to soothe pain and anxiety, but the other cannabinoids play a huge role in the entourage effect as well, as they each possess unique healing characteristics that are amplified when combined with the full spectrum of compounds that the marijuana plant has to offer.
 
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are aromatic oils responsible for the distinct smells that accompany various strains of cannabis. If a certain strain smells fruity and another smells savory, it's because of the difference in terpene types. Different variations may also promote different mental states, such as relaxation or heightened focus. In flower preparation, many of the terpenes are lost during the drying and curing processes. With higher terpene profiles in live resin, the extra-heightened psychoactive effects are delivered as a result of the terpenes interacting with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, making live resin a glimmering pinnacle among other cartridges and concentrates.

Here are a few terms to remember when shopping for cannabis products. Each term refers to the extraction process in which the cannabinoid is separated from the plant.

• Full-spectrum: In this extraction process, all cannabinoids are extracted and included, as well as any terpenes that are present.
• Broad-spectrum: In this extraction process, THC and other impurities are removed, but other non-THC cannabinoids and terpenes are included.
• Isolate: In this extraction process, only one cannabinoid is extracted and isolated.

If you’re looking to experience the entourage effect firsthand, check out some of our live resin products! We recommend the Bento live resin cartridges, available in Pineapple Legend, Wedding Crasher, or SFV OG, the Gelonade live resin cartridges by Kingpen, or the LA Kush Cake pods by Stiizy.

With Halloween around the corner and social distancing keeping the trick-or-treaters indoors, there’s more than one way to celebrate the spooky season besides eating all the Kit Kats you tell yourself you would have given to the children. Drop the caloric candy bars and grab a bong, roll a joint, or bake some extra special Halloween brownies with these spooky weed strains! Whether you’re planning to be antisocial on the couch or dive into high-energy adventures, there’s something here for everyone.

Funfetti
While monster movies and a plate of cookies are the ultimate couch potato activity for Halloween evening, smoking some Funfetti is the icing on top. This indica-dominant hybrid is a cross between Cherry Pie and Animal Cookies and has an intensely relaxing effect on the body that will keep the couch warm as you settle in for hours. Its flavor profiles are sweet and creamy, almost like a slice of birthday cake… or a Halloween cupcake.
 
Candyland
Candyland looks like Candyland with just a glance at the multi-colored, vibrant buds. This sativa-dominant strain boasts a gold medal from the 2012 KushCon and leaves the user with uplifting, energizing sensations that blend well with social events and boosting creativity. Its flavor profile is earthy with subtle sweet notes. Grab some Candyland concentrate to go along with an evening of socially distant Halloween festivities and games!

Ghost Train Haze
Taking a hit of Ghost Train Haze is just like jumping aboard a fast-paced ghost train, as its name suggests. This sativa-dominant strain is known to create a manic, intense energy that is great for social events but should be taken in moderation. It leaves the user with a sense of boosted creativity and radiant euphoria, along with flavor profiles of tropical fruit and herbal notes.

Dream Walker
With only 10% indica and 90% sativa in its genetics, Dream Walker creates a powerful, uplifting rush that is typical of sativa-dominant strains. With especially sweet berry flavors and hints of citrus, this strain drives the user on a fast-paced ascent into a powerful body high perfect for physical and creative activities. If you’re looking for a high experience that will rocket you to galaxies far, far away, this strain is the answer.

Ghost OG
Let the record state that Ghost OG is not suitable for beginners. With flavor profiles of citrus and pine, this indica-dominant strain is overwhelmingly tingly, numbing, and mood-lifting for anyone who needs a positive boost to celebrate all night on Halloween. It takes hours for the sensations of sedative, yet contagious joy to settle down, so plan your evening accordingly!

Happy Halloween! Remember to take your trick-or-treating to Bento Delivery this Saturday, where everything on the menu is a treat.

​For the final installment of our three-part mini-series, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at concentrate storage. Concentrates differ than that of flower and cartridges because of available short, medium, and long-term storage options. This will be the longest discussion we’ve had so far, and it will follow the same format as the flower and cartridge discussion; the best storage conditions follow by factors to consider. Although, with a twist. Storage conditions are broken up in short, medium, and long-term sections. This may be a post you return to in the future as your taste and preferences change, you experiment with different products, or whatever may be the case. 

​Concentrates prefer a cold, dark place. Light, air, humidity, and temperature affect concentrates. Short-term and long-term options exist for frequent or occasional use. There are options for a week, a few weeks, or a few months. If you’d like to store multiple strains and/or consistencies, keep them in separate containers. Also, use an appropriately sized container for the right amount of air. 

​Currently on the menu are live resin sauce, live resin sugar, isolate, crumble, and shatter options. Some storage techniques may be more effective for some consistencies than others. For example, parchment paper is effective in handling sticky shatter, while silicone, airtight, and glass containers are effective in storing isolates and oleoresins. Oleoresins are essentially liquid concentrates such as live resin sauce/sugar, crumble, and budder. Although, containers may not be as effective if it is see-through. Direct light can penetrate and cause moisture related issues like sizzling dabs or a cracked nail. 

Silicone containers are effective for up to a week. To maximize results, the container should have minimal air space, opened as few times as possible, and stored in a cool, dark place like a cupboard. This reduces moisture development and product decay.
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For short-term parchment paper storage, separate shatter into smaller pieces and wrap each individual piece in their own parchment paper. Then set in a cool, dark place. 

A medium, 1-to-4-week, storage method for shatter includes placing the individually wrapped concentrate in a plastic freezer bag(s) i.e. Ziploc bag(s), setting the plastic freezer bag in an air tight container or in a glass jar with minimal air space when the bag is inside, and storing in a cold, dark place. A temperature-controlled environment with slightly lower than room temperature is ideal.
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Isolates and other nonstick concentrates can be placed directly in a vacuum-sealed or air tight jar and kept in a chilly, dark place. Just be aware to clean the jar in between uses. 

For long-term storage, concentrates can last anywhere from six to 12 months. Refrigerators and freezers can preserve the quality your oil. However, a cold, dark place is just as effective. If frozen, vacuum-sealed containers are your best bet. For added protection, the concentrate can be placed in one or two sealed Ziploc bag(s). These methods limit humidity issues caused by extra air. The most common humidity issue is moisture development. Sizzling dabs or a cracked nail are signs of moisture development. When the time comes to use the oil, take the jar out of storage and let it reach room temperature gradually. Keep the concentrate inside the jar for this part because added air can cause humidity and moisture issues. Sudden temperature changes can ruin the concentrate and all your hard work. Once it reaches room temperature, enjoy!

That wraps up our three-part mini-series on cannabis flower, cartridge, and concentrate storage. We’d like to hear your thoughts on this in-depth concentrate storage discussion as well as on the series as a whole. Our goal is to provide high quality content that is most relevant to you and all Bentonians. By emailing us your thoughts at peter@bentodelivery.com or commenting below, we’re better able to provide products and services that fit your needs and exceed your expectations.  If you want to tell us in person stop by our booth at Hempcon September 13 - 15 at the Cow Palace in Daly City. You'll see our commitment to meaningful experiences on display.