How to Cure Your Cannabis After Harvesting

Curing cannabis is a critical process after harvesting that significantly impacts the quality, potency, and flavor of your final product.  Whether you’re a novice or an experienced cultivator, understanding and executing the curing process correctly can make a world of difference.  Below, we will walk you through the steps of how to dry and cure your cannabis.

Why Curing is Important

Curing cannabis is essential for several reasons.  Thankfully, each can be addressed easily with a bit of basic understanding as to why it is important.

1. Enhancing Flavor and Aroma: Proper curing allows the terpenes (aromatic compounds) in cannabis to develop fully, resulting in a richer and more complex flavor profile.  Terpenes are responsible for the distinctive smells and flavors of cannabis, and curing helps preserve these volatile compounds.
2. Improving Potency: Curing can increase the potency of your cannabis by allowing for the conversion of non-psychoactive cannabinoids into THC.  Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system.  THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with cannabis.
3. Smoother Smoke: Properly cured cannabis provides smoother smoke by reducing harshness caused by residual chlorophyll and other compounds.  Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that can cause a harsh taste if not properly broken down during curing.
4. Preventing Mold and Mildew: Curing at the right humidity levels prevents the growth of mold and mildew, ensuring your cannabis is safe to consume.  Mold can develop in overly moist environments, posing health risks if consumed.

As you can see, curing is key to attaining a desirable end product. Whether you are after potency or flavor profiles, curing is a step that should be taken seriously.

Step-by-Step: How to Cure Your Cannabis

1. Harvesting

Before you can start to cure your cannabis, ensure your plants are harvested at the right time.  Looking at the following signs gives you a good idea of when this is.

Trichomes: These tiny resin glands should be milky white with a few turning amber. Trichomes are where cannabinoids and terpenes are produced, and their color indicates the plant’s maturity and potency.
Pistils: These hair-like structures should be mostly brown or orange.  Pistils are part of the flower’s reproductive system and change color as the plant matures.  When about 70-90% of the pistils have changed color, it’s a good indication that the plant is ready for harvest.

Harvesting at the right time ensures you get the maximum potency and flavor from your cannabis. Harvesting too early can rob you of crucial growth in the last few weeks of your plant’s flowering cycle while waiting too long can subject it to frost and excessively moist growing conditions (if it is growing outside).

Tip: Consider purchasing a jeweler loupe to properly assess trichomes and Pistils.

2. Drying

Drying is the first real step in the curing process.  Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold and to set the stage for an effective curing cycle.  While many people resort to hanging their harvested cannabis, another approach is to use a tiered drying rack with a built-in fan.  These devices allow for the separation of different cultivars on each level, are more effective at drying, and do not require a large amount of space to hang your product.

In addition to your drying solution, you will need a means of measuring moisture content to create the ideal curing environment. To achieve this, you will want to purchase a Thermometer/Hygrometer combo. This device will allow you to monitor both the temperature and humidity level of the room in which you are storing your cannabis, allowing you to create the ideal conditions.

After your plant has been properly processed/trimmed, you only need to place it in a dark room for 5-10 days or when small stems begin to snap instead of bend. The temperature should be kept at 60-70°F (15-21°C), and the humidity level should be 45-55%.

Under-drying can result in mold while over-drying can degrade medicinal properties. Therefore, the process should be monitored and checked daily.

3. Curing

The final curing process involves storing the dried buds in airtight containers to further develop their flavors, potency, and smoothness. One of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to approach this is to use mason jars, which can be used for subsequent harvests.

During this process, there are two major steps that need to be considered.  Humidity levels and burping (opening jars to allow moisture and stagnant air with unwanted compounds to escape).

When packing your jars, leave around 25% empty for air to circulate throughout. Once packed, begin the burping process, following the schedule set below.

Week One: Burp jars for 10-15 minutes twice a day
Week Two: Reduce burping to once a day
Week Three: Reduce burping to every other day
Week Four: Reduce burping to every three days

Humidity packs can be added to ensure proper moisture is maintained within the jars at roughly 62% relative humidity.

This gradual reduction in burping helps the buds stabilize and continue to cure evenly.  Curing typically takes 2-4 weeks, but some connoisseurs prefer to cure for six months or longer for the best results. The longer the cure, the better the flavor and potency.

Tip: Utilize a kitchen scale when filling the jars to get a rough idea of how much each will hold and maintain consistency across each jar.

Conclusion – Elevate Your End Results With a Proper Cure

Curing cannabis is an art that requires patience and attention to detail. By following these steps and maintaining the right conditions, you can ensure your cannabis reaches its full potential in terms of flavor, potency, and smoothness. Happy curing!

Common Questions and Tips

Q: Can I speed up the drying process? A: Speeding up drying is not recommended as it can lock in undesirable compounds, leading to harsh smoke. Patience is key for quality cannabis.

Q: How do I know if my buds are too dry? A: If the buds crumble easily or feel brittle, they are too dry. Use humidity packs to rehydrate them to the optimal 62% RH. This helps restore some of the moisture and preserve the quality of the buds.

Q: What if I find mold in my jars? A: Moldy buds should be discarded immediately to prevent health risks. Ensure proper drying and avoid overpacking jars to prevent mold. Always monitor humidity levels to catch any issues early.

Q: Can I use containers other than Mason jars? A: Mason jars are preferred due to their airtight seals, ability to monitor for mold growth, and recyclability – but any airtight container can work. Avoid plastic bags, as they can retain static and degrade the quality of your cannabis. Plastic bags also do not provide a consistent environment for curing.