Learn What Is the Difference Between Cannabis Distillate and Live Resin?

CODES might be your go-to for flower, pre-rolls, and edibles, but have you dipped into concentrates yet? Extracts like wax, shatter, distillate, and live resin pack major potency into small doses, each with its own vibe. Step into the world of concentrates, and you’ll quickly realize they’re not all created equal. Ask any budtender, and you’ll hear terms like distillate and live resin thrown around. They might sound similar, but the experience couldn’t be different.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates one from the other, you’re in the right place. We’re breaking down how distillate and live resin are made, how they hit, and why knowing the difference can level up your next sesh. Stick around ‘til the end for where to find the best concentrates around.

What Is Cannabis Distillate?

Let’s start with the basics—what exactly is cannabis distillate?

In short, it’s one of the purest, most potent forms of cannabis extract out there. Unlike other concentrates that keep all the terpenes, flavonoids, and plant compounds intact, distillate strips all that away. What you’re left with is just the cannabinoids, typically THC or CBD, in their most concentrated form. That’s why distillate hits hard and clean, delivering pure potency without the extras.

How Is It Made

The process of making cannabis distillate is all about precision and purity. It starts by extracting raw cannabis oil from the plant, usually using CO2 or hydrocarbon methods to pull out the good stuff. But even after extraction, there’s still a mix of fats, lipids, waxes, and chlorophyll hanging around (basically, all the stuff you don’t want in your final product).

To clean things up, the oil undergoes winterization. In this process, the oil is mixed with ethanol and frozen, forcing the unwanted compounds to separate from the cannabinoids. After that, it’s on to distillation, where heat and pressure are applied to refine the oil further.

You’re left with a crystal-clear concentrate packed with 90% or more pure cannabinoids. No fluff, no extras—just straight potency in one of the cleanest forms of cannabis you can get.

How Distillate Hits & Why People Love It

Distillate isn’t about bold flavors or complex terpene profiles—it’s all about pure, potent cannabinoids. Since everything but the THC or CBD is stripped away, you’re left with a clean, hard-hitting experience that hits fast and strong. No frills, just straight-up strength.

Because it’s so strong, a little goes a long way. That’s why distillate is a staple in all kinds of cannabis products. You’ll find it in:

• Vape carts—Distillate’s potency makes it perfect for vape cartridges, especially when blended with reintroduced terpenes for flavor.
• Edibles—Since it’s flavorless, distillate mixes seamlessly into food and drinks without messing with the taste.
• Tinctures & capsules—Its purity allows super precise dosing, making it ideal for controlled consumption.
• Dabs & concentrates—Some folks love distillate for dabbing when they’re after sheer potency, though it lacks the bold terpene flavors of other extracts.

Bottom line: distillate’s your go-to if you’re looking for a strong, no-frills experience.

What Is Live Resin?

Now that you’ve got the lowdown on distillate, let’s talk about live resin.

Think of live resin as the flavorful, terpene-packed counterpart to distillate. It’s not stripped down to pure cannabinoids—instead, it keeps all those tasty terpenes intact. That means bold flavors, rich aromas, and a full-spectrum experience that hits your senses from all angles.

It’s less about sheer potency and more about capturing the plant’s essence, giving you that fresh-from-the-grow taste in every hit.

How Live Resin Is Made

The secret to making live resin is treating the plant from the start. Instead of going through the usual drying and curing process, cannabis is flash-frozen right after harvest. Freezing it fresh locks in all those delicate terpenes and flavors before they have a chance to break down.

From there, it undergoes hydrocarbon extraction, usually with butane or propane, to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes while keeping their natural profile intact.

The result? A sticky, golden concentrate bursting with the plant’s full range of flavors and aromas—basically, all the good stuff. 

How Live Resin Hits and Where It’s Used

What sets live resin apart isn’t just the flavor—it’s the full-body experience. Because it keeps a broader spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes intact, live resin gives you that well-rounded, balanced high that cannabis connoisseurs call the entourage effect. Basically, the cannabinoids and terpenes work together, enhancing each other’s effects and giving you something more than just straight THC or CBD.

 

Thanks to all that terpene goodness, live resin is super versatile and shows up in plenty of products, like:

 

Dabs—A favorite for vaporizing with a rig to savor all the flavor and aroma.
Vape carts—High-end vapes often use live resin instead of distillate for a more full-spectrum hit.
Infused pre-rolls—Live resin gets added to joints or blunts to kick up both the potency and taste.
Edibles—Less common, but some edibles feature live resin for extra complexity and depth.

 

When you want something that hits smooth, tastes fresh, and keeps the high balanced, live resin is the way to go.

Which One’s Right for You?

So, which one should you reach for—distillate or live resin? Let’s put them head to head.

Potency: Distillate Packs the Punch, Resin Keeps It Balanced

If you’re chasing straight strength, distillate is your go-to. It’s refined to remove everything but THC or CBD, giving you a high percentage of pure cannabinoids. Perfect for when you want a strong, targeted hit without the extras.

Live resin, on the other hand, still brings plenty of potency but leans more toward balance. Thanks to its full spectrum of compounds, the high tends to feel smoother, more rounded, and layered.

Flavor & Aroma: Live Resin Takes the Win

Flavor chasers, live resin is for you. It’s loaded with terpenes, meaning bold aromas and complex flavors in every hit. Distillate, by comparison, is pretty neutral. Unless terpenes are reintroduced after processing, it’s basically flavorless and odorless.

Entourage Effect: Live Resin

Live resin shines when it comes to the entourage effect. All those cannabinoids and terpenes work together to deliver a more natural, full-bodied experience. Distillate offers a more isolated, predictable high—great if that’s what you’re after, but it won’t have the same depth or nuance.

Versatility: Both Bring Something to the Table

Distillate and live resin are used in various marijuana products, but each plays to its strengths. Distillate’s clean, neutral profile makes it perfect for edibles, vape carts, and tinctures where consistency is key. Live resin is the move for dabs, premium vape carts, and infused pre-rolls—anywhere, flavor, and a full-spectrum experience matter.

Find Your Perfect Concentrate at CODES

Now that you’ve got the rundown on distillate and live resin, the only thing left is trying them yourself. Whether you’re after the clean, high-potency hit of distillate or the bold, terp-packed experience of live resin, CODES dispensary has you covered with some of the best concentrates around. Not sure which one to go for? Our budtenders are always down to share their favorites and help match you with the right product for your vibe.

Don’t forget to check out our specials—you might score your favorite distillate or live resin product at a better price. From top-shelf vape carts to infused pre-rolls and dabs, there’s always something worth grabbing. Swing by, browse what’s new, and take your next sesh up a notch without breaking the bank.

Key Takeaways

• Distillate delivers pure potency—Stripped of extra plant compounds, distillate offers a clean, hard-hitting experience perfect for vapes, edibles, and tinctures.
• Live resin keeps it flavorful and balanced—Packed with terpenes and cannabinoids, live resin delivers bold flavors, rich aromas, and that full-spectrum entourage effect.
• Find both at CODES—Whether you’re after strength or flavor, CODES has top-shelf distillate and live resin products ready for you to try. Ask a budtender and check out specials to score your favorite for less.