​5 Universal Ways to Spot a Fake/Counterfeit Live Resin Product

Posted by David Nadel on Jul 22, 2022

Live resin is the new term to know if you’re a hemp enthusiast, since it’s being used in place of more conventional hemp extracts to give us a stronger terpene and flavonoid experience alongside our favorite cannabinoids. That being said, as its popularity continues to grow, don’t be surprised to find fakes being sold here and there. Sadly, companies can claim to use live resin when they, in fact, don’t, and so you need to have a good handle on spotting a fake or counterfeit product.

#1: Look at the Lab Reports

First off, you always want to look at a lab report before buying any hemp product, and it’s no different with live resin. Live resin undergoes the same third-party testing protocol as other hemp products on the market. And, those lab reports should always be easy to find through a company’s website.

These lab reports will offer everything you need to verify the live resin for yourself. You’ll see a breakdown of chemical compounds, and the higher concentration of terpenes tells you that you’re looking at real live resin. Besides that, you’ll know the product is potent and free of harmful impurities.

#2: Look at the Product Itself

Live resin is a darker, thicker type of extract compared to traditional extractions. If you have a product that’s oil-based, like a tincture or a vape, you should be able to see right away that the formula inside is different. Of course, companies can use other ingredients to thicken and darken the product, but that’s relatively rare. If the product is the same color and consistency as non-live resin extracts, then you know that the company is probably lying about what they’re putting into their product. Of course, this is hard to do with edibles, since edibles are not oil-based and so you won’t be able to notice these kinds of differences.

#3: Read the Label Thoroughly

Always look over the label of a live resin product carefully and thoroughly. This may be where a fake or counterfeit gives itself away. If a company is selling a counterfeit product, meaning a product that has identical packaging to a legitimate brand, but with a fake inside, then you may notice some spelling mistakes or variations on the logo the counterfeit is trying to rip off. This is also where you’ll be able to see a list of ingredients, which can tell you if what’s inside is not what’s being advertised.

#4: Consider Where You’re Buying from

Of course, it’s important to choose your retailer wisely. Gas stations and convenience stores are prone to carrying fakes without even knowing it, because those who run these types of businesses don’t have a background in hemp that allows them to verify what they’re carrying. And, never buy live resin from an unlicensed vendor, like someone selling on the black market either online or in person. This is a very common way to end up with a fake, and you could even end up with a product that’s harmful to your health, since unlicensed vendors don’t need to comply with strict manufacturing standards to which legitimate companies must adhere. Choose an online source, looking for a brand that has a good reputation throughout the industry, to know you’re getting the real stuff.

#5: Look at Reviews

Lastly, look at reviews before buying from a particular seller. If a company is selling fakes, you’ll likely find out quickly while scrolling through the reviews left by customers. See what they have to say about the effectiveness and flavor of the live resin. If more than one or two reviewers suggest the possibility of a fake, that’s a red flag.

Avoid Fakes for a Satisfying Live Resin Experience

Live resin is easier to find than ever, in your favorite product forms including vapes, dabs, gummies, tinctures and more. But, not all live resin that you’re going to encounter is going to be legitimate. The key is finding a company that you can trust, like The Calm Leaf, to be able to access third-party lab reports and refer to positive reviews that prove you’re only getting 100% legitimate live resin.