The term “live resin” was first coined by renowned Colorado hash maker Kind Bill in the summer of 2013. It was originally used to describe a specific type of butane hash oil (BHO) made from fresh frozen trim, a technique that had been around since the early 1990s. This method was popularized by Kenneth Morrow of Trichome Technologies, who wrote about it extensively. In Colorado, the use of fresh frozen trim (also known as wet plant extraction) is a common practice for making cold water and BHO hashes. This involves harvesting fresh trim and/or buds and immediately freezing them, usually in glass tubes for BHO blasting or bags for cold water extraction.
The discovery of the fresh frozen process was a happy accident for Kind Bill. In need of work for his hash makers, he decided to run some fresh material through the process. When they opened the container of BHO, the room was filled with a strong, terpene-rich aroma. This was a game changer. Terpenes, the compounds responsible for the unique scents and flavors of cannabis, degrade quickly. By using fresh frozen material, a higher amount of terpenes can be preserved. This results in a more flavorful and aromatic product. Kind Bill and his team immediately began making all their hash using this method and quickly gained a loyal following for their high-quality products.
As word spread about this new style of hash making, other producers in Colorado followed suit. Nikka T of Essential Extracts was one of the first major cold water producers to adopt the fresh frozen technique. His terpene-rich, golden melts quickly gained recognition and won multiple Cannabis Cups across the nation. Some dispensaries even sell what they call “full melt” hash, but true full melt hash will not only melt completely, but also have a clear dome of resin that rises up from the pipe or rig when lit. This “clear dome” hash is considered the pinnacle of cold water hash and the fresh frozen process produces some of the best versions.
The abundance of flowers in the Colorado marketplace at the time was a major factor in the prevalence of fresh frozen material. This was before legalization in 2014, and soon after, there was a shortage of high-quality material for making hash. Essential Extracts even had to temporarily shut down due to this shortage. However, with the change in laws regarding vertical integration in Colorado, the opposite is now happening. The market is becoming flooded with product, causing wholesale prices to drop. This is great news for concentrate makers and patients, but not so good for growers.
California began seeing “live resin” products hit dispensary shelves about a year ago. The term has now become a buzzword in the cannabis industry, often used to describe any type of concentrate made from fresh frozen material. However, true live resin is a specific type of BHO made using the fresh frozen process. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the definition of live resin may change.