By Al Glass, Carson Moore, and Mandy Haack
Ever wonder how the flower you smoke transforms into the cartridge that fits in your pocket? We offer a range of suppliers, and it’s no surprise each one cultivates in their own way. When it comes to cartridges, we have to take every step of the process into consideration. These steps determine the type of experience you are going to have.
So… how does flower become a liquid? It’s simple, and it’s science: Extracting.
Liquid Live Resin, CO2+ Terpenes, and Ethanol Distillate (among others) each refer to various processes cultivators use to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. These processes condense the flower into a highly concentrated liquid form that conveniently fits into your cartridge.
Let’s dive in.
Aeriz CO2 Carts
Aeriz extracts cannabinoids and terpenes found in their cured cannabis using CO2 as the solvent (the substance in which the solute is dissolved). Then, they reintroduce fractioned, cultivar-specific, cannabis-derived terpenes to the oil. All of Aeriz’s cannabis-derived products are Aeroponically-grown, utilizing air, water, and misted nutrients instead of soil or other growing mediums. This allows Aeriz to recycle their materials in a closed-loop system, making them more environmentally conscious than traditional grows.
Bedford Grow CO2 Carts
Starting with cured cannabis, Bedford Grow employs a proprietary CO2 extraction method that only partially decarboxylates THCa to THC, which maintains a longer pathway to CBN, a cannabinoid that is associated with sedative properties. This results in an experience that is usually less physical than most other cartridges sold in Illinois.
Revolution CO2 Carts
Revolution extracts cannabinoids and terpenes found in their cured, never-trimmed cannabis using supercritical CO2 as the solvent. Then, cultivar-specific, cannabis-derived terpenes are reintroduced to the oil.
Why are terpenes reintroduced? Terpenes enhance the outcome of the cartridge experience. Read more about terpenes and their distinguishable characteristics here.
Cresco Liquid Live Resin Carts
Cresco’s line of Liquid Live Resin Cartridges utilize fresh frozen flower for single extracts. In this case, the cannabinoids and terpenes are never separated, similar to most concentrates.
GrassRoots Sauce Cart
For GrassRoots Select Live Sauce Cartridges, fresh frozen flower is extracted with a hydrocarbon blend. This method prevents the cannabinoids and terpenes from separating, akin to how most concentrates are made.
Verano Sauce Cart
Verano’s sauce cartridges are a unique product in the Illinois market. They utilize cured, butane-extracted flower in which the cannabinoids and terpenes are never separated, a process that is similar to most concentrates. The terpene profile is accurately-ratioed to its flower counterpart and they often have a higher amount of THCa than other cartridges on the market.
Alright folks. That’s all we got for now. If you’ve made it to this point, you’re a real one.
Remember: The more you know, the more focused your experience can become.
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