Pubdate: Thu, 19 Mar 2015
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2015 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH LIVE-RESIN EXTRACT?

Dear Stoner: What's the deal with "live resin" extract? What makes it 
so expensive, other than the fact that tourists will buy it? If the 
extraction process for "live resin" is to freeze and process the 
plant while it's still alive, then "live resin" does not cure. As a 
patient, this seems odd, because the shops don't cure enough, and 
some say that's where the best flower shines through - after the cure.

Resinator

Dear Resinator: Live-resin extractions are concentrates made from 
entire plants that are cryogenically frozen soon after harvesting. 
You're right that the plants aren't cured, but that actually doesn't 
impact the concentrates in the way that you would expect. Curing is 
the process of slowly drying out a bud to preserve as many of the 
oils, cannabinoids and terpenes (the things that give bud flavor) as 
possible. But a lot gets lost during curing. The freezing process 
preserves more of the oils and terpenes that are present in the plant 
when it is alive and allows for them to be extracted into the 
finished product. When done right, this results in the most 
full-flavored, complex concentrates around - and also the most 
expensive. The price comes in part from the comparatively low yields 
as compared to other extraction methods, and in part because the 
process is very time-consuming. Frankly, this stuff isn't so much for 
tourists as it is for purists. And at $70-plus for a gram in some 
shops, we mean purists with deep pockets. For us it's an occasional 
treat, something to toke on for a special occasion. We'll stick with 
normal, bud-run shatter or high-grade bubble hash for day-to-day 
concentrate use.

Dear Stoner: I saw your answer last week about how opening a 
dispensary in a home isn't likely. So how do I get my permit to sell 
my bud to the stores?

Basement Bobby

Dear BB: Our answer about dispensaries applies to your question about 
commercial grows as well. Basically, you aren't going to be able to 
just grow pot in your basement and then sell it to dispensaries. This 
isn't Cali, brah. Instead, you need to apply with the state and your 
local municipality - and to do that, you'll have to grow in an 
approved space, and we don't know of any municipalities that allow 
for home growing for commercial purposes. You'll have to find a 
warehouse. For more information on what it takes at the state level, 
visit 
colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/business-license-application-process-retail-marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom