TAC vs THC: Why Total Active Cannabinoids Matter

Sometimes, the biggest challenge cannabis consumers face is choosing how to partake, and the good news is that there are no right or wrong choices! When selecting between a 10 milligram edible or a joint, both options can provide satisfying experiences, including different onset times and durations, as well as different flavor experiences.

Here are some further details that can help both learn more about each option to make the best choice for your own needs

Understanding Edibles and Joints

At the simplest level, edibles are food or drinks that are infused with THC. Edibles that you purchase at a dispensary are largely made with THC distillate and have had additional cannabinoids, terpenes, ingredients, and flavor elements added in during the manufacturing process.¹ A joint, on the other hand, is cannabis flower that has already been rolled and is read to smoke.

Both options offer different delivery methods. Edibles take longer to absorb into the bloodstream than joints, which take effect much faster. But edibles often provide a more potent and longer experience–they just take a little longer to take effect. 

What is a 10 Milligram Edible?

In the past, edibles were typically sweets like brownies or cookies that were likely made in someone’s personal kitchen. Modern cannabis cultivators and manufacturers create all sorts of options, including carbonated beverages, savory snacks, and even basic ingredients for at-home creations like infused butter or oil. Today’s THC edibles are a new-and-improved version of a long-time favorite, produced commercially and containing precise dosages and specific potencies.

Although tolerance levels are different for everyone, 10 milligrams is generally considered a dose for more experienced cannabis enthusiasts. (Newbies should begin with a microdose of THC.) However, if you are a more regular consumer, edibles are a good option as they are easier to dose and offer a smoke-free way to consume cannabis.

What is a Joint? 

Pre-rolls, also called joints, is a product that you can purchase at a dispensary that contains cannabis flower that has been rolled in specialty paper. Some pre-rolls that you purchase in a dispensary contain added benefits such as a filter tip or flavored rolling paper. They are also available as infused pre-rolls, which include both flower and a cannabis concentrate for increased potency.

Onset and Duration

The onset time and duration of effects are very different when comparing a 10 milligram edible to a joint. The difference has to do with how each product is metabolized by the body.

Edible Onset and Duration

Edibles are processed in the stomach, then the liver, then the bloodstream, so the effect may take more than an hour to kick in. But some consumers are quick to admit that the edibles onset time is often worth it, since the effects from consuming an edible can potentially last four to six hours.²

Joint Onset and Duration

Smoking a joint can take effect quickly, since the inhaled smoke can go directly from the lungs to the bloodstream and the brain. Effects will vary from person to person, but most report that the effects can last 30-60 minutes and may even linger for a few more hours.²

Effects and Potency

Both the effects and potency can vary by strain and quantity, but the difference between how edibles and joints make each individual person feel can be based on how the different parts of the body metabolize THC.²

Edible Effects and Potency

Generally, there is a longer period of time before you can feel any effects after consuming an edible. A key difference is that edibles go from the stomach to the liver, where the THC is converted into another compound called 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is more potent than THC, so it can provide a stronger, longer effect.²

Joint Effects and Potency

The cannabis in joints and pre-rolls move quickly through the body without converting into a different compound. Joints can be a quicker experience, which may be ideal for those who do not want to wait for onset and then experience effects that can linger for hours.²

Consumption Considerations

Whether you’re choosing 10 milligram edibles or joints, there are some things that users should keep in mind to stay safe and have a positive experience. Legality is one, since every state has different rules on where and when cannabis can be consumed. Tolerance is another–you may smoke flower regularly, but a 10 milligram edible could possibly hit you much harder.

The rule of thumb is to start low and go slow. You can always ask your budtender for help choosing the option that’s right for your experience and tolerance level.

Edible Consumption Factors

Consuming edibles requires a bit of planning, factoring in onset time and lingering effects. After you initial ingestion, wait at least an hour before either taking another one or attempting to continue on with your day.²

Joint Consumption Factors 

Smoking pre-rolls don’t require the same amount of planning, but you do need to be more aware of your environment. The majority of states do not allow cannabis to be consumed in a public place, and the tell-tale marijuana smell may not be something you want in your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know the basics about the differences between a 10 milligram edible and a joint, here are some frequently asked questions we often get.

How long does it typically take for the effects of a 10 milligram edible to kick in? 
There are a variety of factors that will impact the amount of time it takes to notice any effects, including an individual’s metabolism; stomach contents; how much they’re currently eating; and their cannabis tolerance. Generally, effects can begin between 30 and 90 minutes.³

What method of consumption, edibles or joints, lasts longer?
The effects from edibles typically last longer, due to the presence of 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is created in the liver and isn’t present when cannabis is consumed by smoking. As a result, the effects can last longer–up to four hours or more.³ 

Are the effects of a 10 milligram edible more or less potent than a joint? 
It’s difficult to say which is more potent, as there are many factors to consider, including tolerance level and individual metabolism. 

How do I determine the appropriate dosage for edibles or joints? 
Everyone is different, so you always want to start with a low dose and go slowly. For edibles, begin with a microdose and see how that works for you. For joints, it’s easier to gauge how you feel in the moment and adjust accordingly.

10 Milligram Edible vs Joint: Which is Right for You?

The answer always comes down to personal preference, and some enthusiasts enjoy both, admitting there is a time and place for each. Whether you’re just getting started or are interested in trying something new, visit the budtender at your local dispensary for customized recommendations to find the option that’s best for you.

Find a Dispensary

Sources

1 "The pros and cons of edible marijuana vs smoking," Veriheal, October 11, 2023, https://www.veriheal.com/blog/edibles/pros-cons/

2 "Edibles vs smoking: How consumption methods affect your experience," Weedmaps, December 7, 2022, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/edibles-vs-smoking-consumption-methods

3. "Difference between joints, blunts, and spliffs," Leafly, January 10, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/smoke/difference-between-joints-blunts-spliffs

4. "What is a pre-roll," Leafly, November 21, 2022, https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/smoke/what-is-pre-roll\

5. "Edible high vs. smoke high," Vice, February 9, 2018, https://www.vice.com/en/article/bj5mza/edible-high-vs-smoke-high

6. "Edibles vs smoking: How consumption methods affect your experience," Weedmaps, December 7, 2022, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/edibles-vs-smoking-consumption-methods

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.

Both live resin and liquid diamonds are popular concentrates among cannabis enthusiasts, each for their unique attributes and potent effects. Live resin, known for its rich terpene profile and aromatic qualities, has a light golden to amber sticky consistency, while liquid diamonds are celebrated for their clear crystalline structure and high THC content.

In this guide, you’ll learn more about how liquid diamonds vs live resin differ in extraction method, potency, flavor, and appearance.  

What is Live Resin?

Live resin is a sticky and malleable cannabis concentrate that ranges from light yellow to dark amber. It’s produced using fresh cannabis plants, which are flash-frozen after harvest to preserve the plant’s chemical profile. The result is a relatively potent concentrate that maintains the full spectrum of the plant’s compounds, offering an aromatic and flavorful experience closer to the marijuana strain.¹ 

What are Liquid Diamonds?

Liquid diamonds – also called THCA diamonds, THC crystals, or THC crystalline – are a highly refined form of cannabis concentrate known for their purity and potency. The solvent-based extraction process involves separating the terpenes from the cannabinoids, which then crystallize to form “diamonds.” The result is a pure concentrate with extremely high THC levels, sometimes reaching 99%.²

Extraction Methods

To make live resin, fresh cannabis is flash-frozen to preserve the terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. Then, it is mixed with a solvent like butane or propane. A closed loop extraction process extracts the plant compounds before the mixture is heated in a vacuum oven to remove the solvent.

Like natural diamonds, liquid diamonds also need heat and pressure to form. Similarly to live resin, THC diamonds are made using fresh frozen cannabis, but cured cannabis can also be used. A solvent-based extraction process, using butane, propane, or CO2, isolates the THC and separates the terpenes. The solvent evaporates when applying heat and pressure, causing the crystals to form. Terpenes are then reintroduced to enhance flavor.³

Potency and Effects

Live resin is known for its high cannabinoid and terpene levels, which contribute to its full-spectrum effects. The plant compounds create the entourage effect, providing a balanced and potent experience.

If you want an extremely potent concentrate, you may want to consider liquid diamonds, which can contain THC levels up to 99%, providing intense psychoactive effects. Beginner cannabis users should beware and start with a low dosage of THCA diamonds and take it slowly until they know how the product affects them.

Flavor Profiles

Looking for an intense burst of flavor? Then live resin is it. This concentrate boasts a vibrant and complex terpene profile since it retains the natural flavors and aromas of the cannabis plant, making it highly sought-after for its authentic taste.

The flavor profile of liquid diamonds can be customized by reintroducing specific terpenes. This allows for a range of flavors, although some products might contain added artificial flavors.

Consistency and Appearance

Live resin and liquid diamonds are very different in consistency and appearance. Live resin has a saucy or sugar-like texture, ranging from light gold to dark amber. On the other hand, liquid diamonds are characterized by their crystalline or diamond-like structure, which is usually clear or light yellow.

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper storage of live resin and liquid diamonds is essential for the concentrates to remain potent. Store these cannabis products in an airtight container away from direct sunlight for 6-12 months. Keep liquid diamonds in a cool, dry place, like your pantry, and store live resin in the pantry or refrigerator.

Uses and Consumption Methods

Live resin and liquid diamonds can be used in various ways:

• Dab: Using a dab rig, place the live resin or liquid diamonds on the heating element and dab away for a quick and potent dose. 
  
  
• Vaporize: You’ll likely need a dab pen to vaporize THC diamonds. While you can use a dab pen on live resin, you can also purchase live resin vape cartridges that can be used with a 510-thread battery.
  
  
• Add to flower: Add liquid diamonds or live resin to cannabis flower in a pipe, joint, or bong for a more potent experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is a lot to know about liquid diamonds and live resin, so if you want more information, ask your budtender or check out these frequently asked questions: 

Which concentrate is more potent, live resin or liquid diamonds?
Liquid diamonds are more potent because of their extremely high THC levels, which can reach up to 99%.

Do live resin and liquid diamonds have significantly different flavor profiles?
Yes, live resin and liquid diamonds have different flavors. Live resin is generally more flavorful because it preserves the natural terpenes. Terpenes may be reintroduced to liquid diamonds to enhance the taste, and artificial flavors may also be included. 

Which concentrate is better for dabbing or vaporizing?
Liquid diamonds and live resin work well for dabbing and vaporizing, offering potent effects and varying flavor experiences. 

Can live resin or liquid diamonds be used in edibles or other infused products?
Live resin and liquid diamonds can be infused in edibles and other products. The concentrates can be infused after decarboxylation (or heating) to activate the cannabinoids. 

What are the optimal temperature settings for consuming each concentrate?
The best dabbing temperature for live resin and liquid diamonds is around 400-500°F to preserve the terpenes for a flavorful dab. 

Purchasing Live Resin and Liquid Diamonds

Now that you know the differences between live resin and liquid diamonds, you can visit your local dispensary to buy concentrates. Live resin offers a full-spectrum, highly flavorful experience, while liquid diamonds provide unmatched potency. Chat with your budtender to find out what liquid diamonds vs live resin concentrates are in stock.

Find a Dispensary

Sources

1. “What Is Live Resin? Benefits, How to Use It, and More,” Leafwell, https://leafwell.com/blog/what-is-live-resin

2. “THC Diamonds: What Are They, And How Are They Made?” Leafwell, https://leafwell.com/blog/thc-diamonds 

3. “What are THC diamonds and how are they made?” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/diamonds

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.

Blunts are a time-honored way of consuming cannabis, dating back to the mid-1800s. While you can buy these products in many dispensaries, you can also roll your own at home. Here’s our guide to help you create your own DIY blunts. 

Introduction to Blunt Rolling: The Basics

You may think that rolling a blunt is just like rolling a bigger version of a joint, but there are plenty of differences between the two. Blunts were originally created by removing tobacco from cigars or cigarillos, then filling the hollow with marijuana flower. By combining the two, this process adds tobacco smoke and nicotine to cannabis consumption. 

Today, many people choose blunt wraps instead of a tobacco wrapper.¹ This ensures blunts are slow-burning and long-lasting, compared to joints wrapped in thin rolling paper. 

What Materials & Gear Do You Need?

To properly roll a blunt, you'll need enough marijuana flower to fill the blunt, a wrapper, and a grinder for the flower. You may also use a blunt roller, but it's not required.²

Flower

How much cannabis flower you'll need for your blunt depends on the size of the blunt you plan to roll, including how many people will be sharing the blunt. Usually, about one gram of flower is sufficient for blunt rolling.²

Blunt Wraps

While blunts were originally rolled in cigar paper, cannasseurs tend to purchase blunt wraps for their rolling needs. These thicker papers are typically made of hemp and available at most dispensaries.²

Grinder

You can break down your marijuana by hand, but a grinder is more efficient to break down flower into the right consistency for the blunt. Be sure to remove any stems because they can break through the wrapper and make the blunt difficult to smoke.

Blunt Tip - Optional

More than just a style upgrade, blunt tips can be beneficial when you’re looking to save money. Not only do blunt and joint tips allow you to fully smoke the blunt to the end, but they also give an extra level of filtration. Blunt tips are available in a variety of materials–even 24K gold–and also make great gifts for fellow cannasseurs.³ 

How to Roll a Blunt in 5 Steps

Rolling a blunt can be a little more challenging than rolling a traditional joint. Here's a how-to guide for rolling a blunt with or without a blunt roller:

Step 1: Grind

First, grind your cannabis. Remember: a grinder is faster and more efficient than breaking down flower by hand.²

Step 2: Prepare Blunt Wrap

Before you attempt to work with your blunt wrap, you’ll want to moisten it to make it a bit more malleable. Many consumers use their own saliva for this step, but if you plan to share your blunt then it’s better to use a dab of water.²

Step 3: Arrange Flower

Sprinkle the freshly ground flower into the interior of the curled wrap. Distribute it lengthwise and evenly. Use your index finger to compress the flower gently and tuck the bottom edge of the wrapper into the top to shape the blunt. Compress one end more tightly to avoid getting loose pieces of flower in your mouth while smoking.⁴

Step 4: Roll

Roll the blunt from one end to the next, making sure you don't roll the blunt so tightly it won't ignite, or so loosely it will burn too fast. Keep the wrapper slightly wet and it will stick to itself as you roll it.⁵

Step 5: Seal & Bake

Run your lighter along the blunt's seam to seal it. Then proceed to smoke it, rolling it between your fingers as you light it to give an even burn.²

Option to Add Filter

You can use paper to roll a filter, also called a crutch, to your blunt. Fold a zig-zag shape that allows smoke, but not bits of flower, out of your crutch paper and put it in the smoking end of your blunt before sealing it.³

FAQs About Rolling Blunts

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions about rolling, sealing, burning, and more:

What is the best way to spread cannabis evenly in a blunt?
Sprinkle the flower in from one end of the blunt to the other and be sure to use your index finger to gently smooth out the ground cannabis in an even layer that's not too thick or too thin.¹

Can I roll a joint without a crutch?
Yes, but a crutch or filter will create a smoother, more even smoking experience.³ Since a crutch provides both structural stability and helps filter out debris, some cannasseurs prefer a crutch to enhance their smoking experience. 

How do I roll a blunt without it falling apart?
Don't overfill the blunt. Too much isn’t always best: if there’s too much flower, it will cause it to break. Underfilling can also create a weak blunt.¹

Are there any tips for sealing a blunt properly?
After you press the wet blunt wrapper together, run your lighter lightly along the seam to complete a secure seal.²

How can I ensure my blunt burns evenly? 
Rotate your blunt as you light it, to create a smooth, even burn.¹

More About Blunt Rolling

The best way to get better and learn more about rolling a blunt is by practicing. Experiment with different types of blunt wrapping paper, and explore your options for blunts at your local dispensary. While shopping at your local dispensary to buy blunts, don’t forget to ask your budtender any questions or for recommendations.

Find a Dispensary

Sources

1. "An In-depth Guide to Rolling a Blunt With and Without a Blunt Roller," Marijuana Packaging.com, April 3, 2023, https://marijuanapackaging.com/blogs/how-to-guide/an-in-depth-guide-to-rolling-a-blunt-with-and-without-a-blunt-roller

2. "How To Roll a Blunt: An Easy Guide For Beginners," Wikileaf The Stash, October 2, 2019, https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/how-to-roll-a-blunt/

3. "How to Roll a Blunt," Veriheal, https://www.veriheal.com/blog/how-to-roll-a-blunt/

4. "What is a blunt and how to roll them," Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/how-to-roll-a-blunt

5. “Blunt and Joint Tips Are Becoming the Classy Way to Smoke,” July 28, 2020, Leafly, https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/blunt-and-joint-tips-the-classy-way-to-smoke-cannabis

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.