What is Live Resin & How Do You Use It?

Colorado, a pioneer in cannabis legalization, boasts a thriving recreational and medical cannabis industry. But whether you're a local or a visitor, it's essential to understand the regulations surrounding cannabis purchase limits. In this guide, we'll break down the permissible quantities of cannabis products, from flower to cannabis concentrates, in the Centennial State, helping you stay within the legal boundaries so you can enjoy your cannabis experience to the fullest.

Recreational Cannabis Purchase Limits

As with other states, Colorado has specific purchase limits in place for both residents and visitors to ensure everyone is able to enjoy their marijuana responsibly. Fortunately, the rules are the same whether you live in the state or are just visiting so that will make it easier to keep track of everything. Of course, when visiting a dispensary, you can always ask a budtender if you’re not sure how much you’re allowed to purchase. The limits of recreational marijuana are:

1oz of Flower

All adults, meaning 21 and older, can purchase up to once ounce (approximately 28 grams) of cannabis flower during a single business day. This means that you can go to one dispensary in a day, purchase 14 grams of marijuana, and then go to a second dispensary, and purchase another 14 grams of marijuana, in the same day. Once you hit that 28 grams, however, you cannot purchase any more that day.

 

8g of Concentrate

The laws in Colorado restrict purchases of marijuana concentrates to eight grams. Concentrates are highly potent, and because of this, less product is required to achieve the same effects someone might be looking for with marijuana flower. Whether you’re shopping for wax, budder, or shatter, you can get everything you need within that eight-gram limit.

 

800mg of Edibles

When it comes to cannabis-infused edibles, Colorado enforces a purchase limit of 800 milligrams of THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Edibles come in various forms, from gummies to chocolates, and while you can purchase any type of edible you may prefer, it just cannot add up to more than 800 mgs of THC.

 

8,000mg of Vapes

The rules in Colorado state that you can have up to eight grams of concentrates, but many shoppers may not realize that rule also applies to vapes. Since vape cartridges are typically available for purchase in either one-gram or half-gram sizes, the math is much easier: you can legally purchase up to eight one-gram cartridges or up to 16 half-gram cartridges.

 

Medical Cannabis Purchase Limits

The purchase limits are slightly different for medical marijuana patients, depending on the patient’s age. 

• Medical marijuana patients who are at least 21 years old are allowed to purchase up to two ounces of medical marijuana; up to eight grams of concentrates; or up to 20,000 milligrams of THC in one day. 
  
  
• Medical marijuana patients who are between the ages of 18 and 20 are allowed to purchase up to two ounces of medical marijuana; up to two grams of concentrates; or up to 20,000 milligrams of THC in one day.

Remember that all patients must have a valid, Colorado-issued medical marijuana card to qualify for these purchase limits. 

Purchase Limits vs. Possession Limits

So that’s it then, right? Everything you need to know is written above. Not quite. Those recreational marijuana purchase limits are just that—purchase limits. Colorado also has possession limits. This means that while you can purchase only a certain amount in a day, you can actually have more than that amount in your possession at home. In Colorado, you are allowed to possess up to two ounces of marijuana at a time—double the purchase limit—whether you’re a recreational marijuana consumer or a medical marijuana patient. 

Answering FAQs About Purchasing Cannabis in Colorado 

Ready to purchase cannabis in the Centennial State? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding purchasing cannabis in Colorado that may be helpful.

Can I purchase cannabis in Colorado if I'm not a resident?
Yes, you can purchase cannabis in Colorado even if you're not a resident. The state allows both residents and non-residents to buy cannabis products, provided they are at least 21 years old.

Can you go to more than one dispensary in a day?
Yes, you can visit multiple dispensaries in a single day. Colorado does not limit the number of dispensaries you can shop at in a given day. However, you must abide by the daily purchase limits.

Can you smoke marijuana in public in Colorado?
No, it is illegal to smoke marijuana in public spaces in Colorado. Consumption is restricted to private properties or properties with cannabis-friendly, designated areas. 

Purchasing Marijuana in Colorado

Colorado makes consuming cannabis the easy, enjoyable recreational activity that it should be—provided you follow the rules. If you’re 21 or older and interested in purchasing cannabis in Colorado, make sure you bring some cash for your purchase and your state-issued ID. If you have any questions while you’re at the dispensary, no matter if this is your first Colorado dispensary visit or your hundredth, hit up a budtender. They’re there to make your visit go smoothly.

Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.   Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations. 

There are a lot of products on the market that claim to be full spectrum, but if you’re not purchasing the product from a dispensary, it’s likely not a full spectrum cannabis product. To be full spectrum, an extract has to have all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and additional compounds natural to the plant. How’s that possible? In this guide, we’re going to give you the details, ensuring you know what full spectrum THC is, how it’s made, and where you can get it.

What is a Full Spectrum Extract?

A full spectrum cannabis extract is a cannabis concentrate that has preserved the compounds found in the marijuana plant. Not only will you have THC and CBD in a full-spectrum extract, you’ll also have terpenes, minor cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other compounds that are natural to marijuana. 

Because these compounds are so delicate, the full-spectrum extraction process is a careful, precise procedure that inevitably increases the cost of the final product you find on the shelves of your dispensary. That said, you’ll also have one of the most aromatic, flavorful products you’ve ever experienced outside of pure marijuana flower.

How Does Full Spectrum THC Work?

To understand how full spectrum THC works, you have to understand your body’s endocannabinoid system. We used to think that THC is what caused the potent effects that we feel when we consume marijuana, and it’s true, THC does contribute to those psychoactive feelings we get. But in 1988, a researcher named Raphael Mechoulam suggested that the other compounds found in cannabis, including other cannabinoids and terpenes, may also have an effect on our body, and when those compounds are paired with THC, we get a unique experience. This theory was coined the entourage effect.

Full spectrum THC embraces the theory of the entourage effect by keeping all the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds in marijuana that are natural to the plant. That way, we can experience the plant in its entirety and not just specific facets of the plant—like a single cannabinoid. This whole-plant experience is unique to you and your endocannabinoid system. 

How is Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil Extracted?

There’s no question that full spectrum cannabis products require a little extra time and finesse in order to preserve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in the final product. Because of this, the techniques to create a full spectrum cannabis oil are limited to three types of extraction:

• Hydrocarbon: When butane or butane and propane are cooled, liquified, and pushed through marijuana, they can remove all the compounds we love that are found in cannabis. Then, those solvents have to carefully be removed (along with the fat and wax) to ensure a clean, final product. This time consuming process has to be precise to ensure none of the terpenes are destroyed.
  
  
• Supercritical CO2: Replace butane and other solvents with supercritical CO2, and you get this unique form of extraction. Supercritical CO2 acts like both a liquid and a gas, getting into all the nooks and cellular crannies of marijuana. Then, the temperature and pressure is gently adjusted, causing the CO2 to pull the compounds we want out of the cannabis. 
  
  
• Heat & pressure: For cannabis enthusiasts who don’t want to have solvents touching their full spectrum extract, heat and pressure can do the trick. The marijuana plant is put through a process like ice water extraction or dry sifting, which removes the trichomes from the plant. Then, heat and pressure are applied to those trichomes, and the result is a flavorful, aromatic, full spectrum extract.

Full Spectrum THC vs THC Distillate: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between full spectrum THC and THC distillate is what is in the final product. A THC distillate is just that—marijuana that has been distilled down to just THC. In most cases, THC is the only cannabis compound you’ll find in the extract. Full spectrum THC, on the other hand, preserves all the compounds in the cannabis, including the THC. In general, if you purchase a full spectrum product at a dispensary, it will be considered a full spectrum THC product.

What Products Have Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract?

Full-spectrum cannabis products contain all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids you’d find in flower. The extraction process prioritizes preserving these important compounds. If you’d like to enjoy a full-spectrum cannabis extract, you should try:

• Flower: Flower, obviously, is a full-spectrum product. That said, it can be used to create full-spectrum extracts too. These extracts include live rosin, which is flash-frozen cannabis that is put through a solvent-based extraction to preserve all the compounds we love about cannabis, and ice water hash, which is a hash made from trichomes that have been dislodged from flower via an ice water agitation bath.
  
  
• Edibles: While edibles can be made from things like THC distillate, which is simply THC suspended in oil of some kind, they can also be made from full-spectrum products. Cannabutter, for instance, is typically a full-spectrum product because the only thing strained from it is the seeds and stems. One thing to remember, however, is that if you cook with a full-spectrum product, it’s possible that you could destroy some of the terpenes in the product in too high of heat. It’s also likely that your edibles will have a stronger marijuana flavor because those terpenes pack a sensory punch.
  
  
• Topicals: Cannabis topicals are exactly what they sound like—a topical product applied onto the skin. You can find topical CBD and THC products that focus on that single cannabinoid, but you can also find topical full-spectrum products, including lotions, salves, creams, and balms. These products preserve the terpenes and cannabinoids in the cannabis, allowing all of those compounds to work together on the endocannabinoid receptors found in the skin.

Answering FAQs About Full-Spectrum Extracts

Full-spectrum extracts are becoming more and more popular with curious cannabis enthusiasts that are interested in a flower-like experience without the hassle that comes with enjoying flower. Because of this, we get a lot of questions, and here are just a few of them along with their answers:

Does full-spectrum CBD have THC in it?
Most full-spectrum CBD products have at least a small amount of THC in them, otherwise they’d be called “broad spectrum.” With products sold outside of a dispensary, they have to have less than 0.3% THC. Unfortunately, these products also tend to be unregulated. If you purchase full-spectrum CBD in a dispensary, you’re getting a safer product that will likely have more than 0.3% THC in it. 

Is full spectrum more potent?
Full-spectrum products are not necessarily more potent. They tend to prioritize preserving the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in marijuana. Because of this, the manufacturers are less focused on jam-packing their products with THC. That said, a lower THC potency doesn’t mean the product won’t hit you hard. The entourage effect can be a powerful thing, and all those compounds working together with your endocannabinoid system can create some powerful results. 

Can you dab full spectrum extract?
Dabbing just means that you’re using a dab pen or dab rig in order to consume your concentrates. You absolutely can dab full spectrum extracts, like live resin and sauce. 

Find Full-Spectrum THC Products

Increasingly, cannabis enthusiasts are focused on the highest quality products they can get their hands on, and for many consumers, this means full-spectrum THC products. Because of this, dispensaries are prioritizing having a variety of full spectrum THC marijuana available. If you’re not seeing any in your dispensary, just talk to your budtender. They’ll either be able to guide you to what they have in stock or let you know when the products that have sold out will be back on the shelves. 

Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.   Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations. 

When it comes to cannabis, whether you’re a recreational marijuana consumer or a medical marijuana patient, proper storage is vital to ensure its longevity and quality. Improper storage can lead to a loss of potency, flavor, and even the growth of mold. In this guide, we’ll dive into the importance of cannabis storage, the general rules to follow, and the best containers to keep your marijuana flower fresh.

Why is Cannabis Storage Important?

Proper cannabis storage is crucial for maintaining the quality and potency of your marijuana flower. Exposure to light and air can lead to decarboxylation, and exposure to moisture can cause mold to grow on your favorite strain. Moreover, any damage to those precious trichomes and terpenes means your bud just won’t taste as good either. There’s nothing fun about low-quality, foul-tasting marijuana.

General Marijuana Storage Rules

Proper cannabis storage is the key to preserving the quality, potency, and flavor of your precious marijuana flower. The most important guidelines cover temperature control, humidity management, and light and air exposure prevention, and they ensure your marijuana is just as good as the day you bought it. Here are the guidelines we follow:

• Maintain Proper Temperature: Storing your marijuana flower at the right temperature is essential. Ideally, you should keep it in a cool, dark place, around 70°F (21°C). This helps prevent the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes, ensuring your cannabis stays potent and flavorful. It will also help you avoid any mold growth.
  
  
• Reduce Humidity: Excessive humidity can lead to mold growth, ruining your marijuana. Aim for a relative humidity level of 55-65%. Using a humidity control pack or a cannabis humidor can help maintain the ideal moisture level.
  
  
• Avoid Air & Light: Exposure to air and light can accelerate the degradation of THC, it can dry out your marijuana, and it can help create a moldy mess you definitely don’t want to consume. Choose a container that's airtight and light-resistant to keep your marijuana fresh for longer.

How Long Can You Store Cannabis Flower?

The shelf life of cannabis flower varies depending on how it's stored. When properly stored, it can retain its potency and flavor for up to one year—but even that might be pushing it. 

Ultimately, the longer you wait to enjoy your marijuana, the more likely it is that it will lose some of its potency. For example, marijuana that hasn’t been enjoyed for two years can lose up to 26% THC; after three years it can lose up to 34% THC; and after four years it can lose up to 41% THC. It's best to consume it within a year for the best experience.

Best Storage Containers for Cannabis Flower

Selecting the right storage container is crucial to keep your marijuana in optimal condition. Here are a couple of our most recommended options:

Airtight Glass Jar

A glass jar with a secure seal is a classic choice. It prevents air from entering, keeping your cannabis fresh. If you want to get fancy, you can look for a UV-proof glass jar at your local dispensary, but a Mason jar will get the job done. Just make sure that you store your jar in a cool, dark, dry place, and that your jar’s size fits the amount of marijuana it contains. More space in a jar means more air in the jar, leading to a higher chance that your flower will dry out.

Cannabis Humidor

If you're a canna-connoisseur, consider investing in a cannabis humidor. These high-quality containers offer precise humidity control and come in various sizes to suit your needs. Most dispensaries carry cannabis humidor options that will fit your budget. Just don’t be tempted to get a tobacco humidor. The wood they’re made from can damage your marijuana.

Can You Freeze or Refrigerate Cannabis Flower?

While freezing or refrigerating cannabis flower might seem like a good idea, it's not recommended. Extreme and fluctuating temperatures can damage the delicate trichomes, affecting the potency and flavor of your marijuana. It can also introduce moisture that will cause mold to grow. However, if you need to store it for an extended period, we recommend getting a vacuum sealer, sealing your bud, and storing it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to enjoy it.

Answering FAQs About Storing Flower

Cannabis storage is one of the most important facets of cannabis consumption. Here are a few things you might want to know:

How long does cannabis stay good in a plastic bag?
Cannabis stored in a plastic bag is not ideal. Plastic bags are not airtight and can expose your marijuana to air and light, leading to degradation. That said, vacuum-sealing your cannabis in plastic is a fine way to store your marijuana.

How can you keep buds fresher for longer?
To keep your buds as fresh as the day you bought it, we recommend using an airtight container, maintaining the right temperature and humidity, and avoiding exposure to light and air. All of this can be done by putting your marijuana in a small glass jar or vacuum sealing it and putting it in a cool dark place.

What’s the best smell-proof container?
Many airtight containers are already smell-proof. Look for a container with a strong seal and made of materials that won't let odors escape. You can also choose to vacuum seal your marijuana, which will help to cut down on any odor.

Proper Cannabis Storage

In the world of cannabis, proper storage can make all the difference in preserving the potency and flavor of your marijuana flower. By following these general rules and investing in the right storage containers, you can enjoy a fresh and high-quality experience every time you indulge. So, take care of your stash, and it will take care of you.

Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.   Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.