Canna Oil: How It’s Made from Live Resin, and What to Use it For

If you’re curious about canna oils, you’ve also got to talk about live resin, which is where hemp plants form their cannabinoids. Basically, canna oils are concentrates that are formed when we take CBD and THC from cannabis plants.

Now, most cannabis oils you get at a dispensary are “chemical extraction” products.  Typically, this process utilizes a solvent to extract cannabinoids. (Plus some other beneficial compounds such as flavonoids and terpenes.) Then, they’re added to specific carriers such as MCT oil. 

Still, there are many ways to extract oil from a cannabis plant. Some are more effective (and much safer) than others. And some which include live resin yield higher CBD concentrations. But the most prevalent extraction method is through CO2. That’s primarily because it creates a product free from waxes, chlorophyll, and other harmful residues that solvents leave behind. 

What is Live Resin?

You can make canna oils from any cannabis extract. But we’d like to talk about live resin canna oils. So, what is live resin?

Well, it’s a cannabis product we source from fresh cannabis flower buds and sugar leaves. Live resin captures the characteristic cannabis aroma, by flash freezing plant materials before you extract its concentrates. Because of the freshness, your final extract will be more pungent. And that can add layers of enjoyment to the oil you go on to infuse.

Making Live Resin Canna Oil

Cannabis-infused oil is very versatile. You can use it in your salad dressing, or to fry up your morning eggs. Heck, you can sauté veggies or even bake desserts with canna oil. What’s more, you can assume control over its entire preparation. Do you have an intense love for peanut oil? Learn how to prepare cannabis-infused peanut oil! 

What are the ingredients involved? Before we discuss any additives, remember that you’ll need to use a 1:1 ratio of cannabis and oil. So, a cup of live resin cannabis flower and a cup of your favorite cooking oil is all you’ll need to get started. 

Picking a Suitable Cooking Oil Base

Choosing the best oil for infusion entirely depends on your flavor preferences. (And the dish you’re preparing.) Since oils have different consistencies at room temperature, make sure to put some thought into how you intend to use and store your oil. 

For baking, most oils work well, so you can pick an oil whose consistency and favor works well with your recipes. For instance, if you’re making a stir fry and a pie crust, coconut oil is a great choice. Not only does it add a tasty flavor to veggies, but it also maintains its solid state at room temperature, so it can hold up for baking. 

Now, if you’re looking for an oil containing a milder flavor, then canola and vegetable oil are your go-to. After all, they’re highly versatile and work well with most recipes. Or, if you’re going for something a bit stronger in flavor, you could infuse avocado or olive oil. They stand up great to the cannabis flavor, and you can store them in your pantry. Indeed, olive oil ice cream can prove to be one of the most amazingly delicious desserts. So, don’t be afraid to be creative! 

The Significance of Decarboxylation When Preparing Live Resin Canna Oil

There is a crucial step to follow if you want your edibles to function as they’re intended. That step is called decarboxylation. In simpler words, this means that you have to activate the THC or CBD. Then, you can enjoy the effects you planned for. Decarboxylation refers to the chemical reaction that eliminates a carboxyl group and ultimately produces carbon dioxide. 

So with cannabis, decarboxylation eliminates the COOH group from the THC-A molecule by producing CO2 and H2O – this turns it into the psychotropic THC. (Or, with CBDA, you’ll remove molecules to produce active CBD. But for our purposes today, we’ll focus on THC’s transformation.)

Either way, this step is essential since it converts THC-A molecules into actual THC molecules. Now, if you were smoking cannabis, the process occurs naturally through burning. But, there’s no fire when you make oils, so  you have to do the extra step. Now, the question remains: HOW??

THC Extraction

There are many THC extraction techniques. Some offer excellent purity margins, sometimes close to 100%, whereas others allow live resin with 60% purity. 

Extracting pure THC is only feasible if the proper methods are used. Generally, the ideal way is via mechanical extraction techniques. Mechanical extraction essentially involves physically pressing the oil out of the plant/seed without chemical assistance. With this process, the percentage of THC is sometimes significantly higher in purity, provided you do it properly. 

THC extraction could also be achieved by chemical approaches, which are usually more complicated and potentially harmful. In this case, we’re talking about extraction processes and not simply separation of THC.

CBD Extraction

CBD extraction is generally the process involved in obtaining CBD from the cannabis plant and isolates it from the other cannabinoids available. There are several ways that this is performed, some of which are much better than others. Generally speaking, the CBD extraction method used will impact the purity and quality of the final product. The final product is then used in a wide range of different ways for consumers to enjoy the advantages. 

Some CBD extraction methods can leave trace amounts of harmful residues that might compromise its effects. Therefore, it is vital to consider if you are searching for a suitable product for your requirements. Some of the standard CBD extraction methods include CO2 extraction, alcohol extraction, and carrier oil extraction.

Most Common Benefits of Canna Oil

Cannabis oil can be useful in a variety of ways, such as boosting appetite, promoting sleep and relieving anxiety and stress. It is also well known to possess skincare benefits if applied to the skin’s surface. 

Can Cannabis Oil Get You High?

The psychotropic effect of canna oil depends on the THC content. Hemp plants, which are a variety of cannabis, consist of very little THC (usually around 0.3%). Since extracts from these plants contain primarily CBD, they will not get you stoned. Marijuana plants however, contain higher levels of THC and will produce canna oil that does get you high.

Is It Legal?

In most places, Cannabidiol is legal. You can find all kinds of legal CBD products in stores and online. However, the THC content of these products must be below 0.3%, which is low enough for a user to not feel high. Marijuana is still a federally controlled schedule 1 substance in the United States. That means that it can be sold in states which have legalized its use, but is still very much illegal in many states. Be sure to double check your state’s laws and the THC content of canna oil before you buy it. 

Don’t want to make your own canna oil from scratch? Consider adding some legal CBD to your household cooking oil. And Tanasi’s range of full-spectrum CBD products are easy to add to any recipe, so go check them out today!