As with many things in life, when it comes to cannabis, there are a lot of opinions out there about what is best for your end goal. This leads to some confusion and sometimes even anger.
We hope that this guide will help clear up any questions you might have. So, let’s jump right in!
Why Is Drying Cannabis Important?
Cannabis plants are designed to be grown in a humid environment, which helps the plant grow and create buds that have high levels of THC (the active ingredient) and CBD (a non-psychoactive cannabinoid).
By drying your cannabis you can make it more potent by increasing its concentration of both THC and CBD. It’s important to know this because as with all things,
if you want something stronger you must increase the potency of what you are consuming. This is why we recommend using a good quality extractor or oven for the best results.
How Long Should It Take For Cannabis To Dry?
The whole process of drying weed should take between two and seven days. It should take shorter, especially if you have wet trimmings and have trimmed the majority of the excess plant material away. Obviously, this is because there is less of the plant to dry out.
When you are trimming your dry cannabis, the easiest way to do this is when the plant cuttings are hung upside down on a line. You can do this when the plant is whole or on branches.
This method of drying should help prevent the buds from becoming misshapen and too flat as they dry out.
It does not matter if you are wet or dry trimming your weed, you will need to check the buds or branches at the two-day mark.
You can do this by trying to bend the stem, if it snaps you will know that your weed has fully dried. If this does not happen, you will have to leave the bud a day or two longer until the branch snaps.
The Cannabis Drying Room
If you don’t have anywhere suitable to house your cannabis then you can use an old fridge or cupboard. The key thing here is that you keep the door closed while drying the cannabis.
If you open the door then the heat inside will draw moisture into the room. If possible, try to find somewhere where the temperature does not get much above 20 degrees Celsius.
This means the cannabis won’t become moldy and harmful bacteria and fungus won’t thrive.
A few things you will need in your cannabis drying room are as follows:
Drying Rack – You will need a drying rack where you can hang your bugs until they have dried out. Hygrometer – You will need this device in order to accurately measure the temperature and humidity in your drying room. Fan – You will need a fan to help the drying process and to keep the air moving so that it does not get stagnant. AC Unit – While you do not need an AC for this process it is a good idea if you want the drying process to happen quicker with more success. Dehumidifier – A dehumidifier is not necessary but it is recommended so that there is less chance of the humidity of the room messing with the bud as it dries out.
The Best Way To Dry Cannabis Without A Hanging Line
To ensure the best possible result without having to worry about the drying process taking too long, you may wish to consider making a hanging frame. What you will need for this is a piece of wood and some rope.
If you do not have a space to hang your weed up you may want to consider getting a flat rack where you can have a bunch of your weed buds.
How Do You Cure Marijuana?
Curing marijuana is what happens after you have harvested your plants and dried them out. It is a step taken before you start selling your product on the market. Curing helps improve the quality of your weed and makes it easier to smoke.
There are many ways to cure your weed, but the most common one is smoking it. When curing your weed, make sure you give it enough time to be cured. This could take weeks or even months depending on the strain.
Why Is This An Important Step?
You might ask why it is important to cure your weed. Well, the main reason is that it allows you to get rid of any unwanted chemicals which might be present in the weed.
These chemicals can include pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, etc. Also, curbing can help preserve the flavor and aroma of your weed. It also improves the overall quality of your weed.
For example, it will improve its taste and smell. Some people say that curing can increase the potency of your weed by around 10%!
What Equipment Will You need?
Before you can start the curing process you will need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment on hand. Below is a list of the basics.
Jars – You will need airtight jars where you can store your cannabis buds. Hygrometer – You will need individual hygrometers for each jar so that you can make sure that the temperature and humidity are optimal.
The Curing Process
Once you have gathered all the equipment you will now begin the curing process. The first thing you will need to do is remove the leaves from your buds.
This is done because the amount of light that is absorbed by the leaves will affect the color and flavor of your weed. If you leave leaves on then it will change the way your weed tastes.
Once you have removed the leaves then you will put your buds into clean jars. Make sure you label each jar so that you know when they were placed inside.
Now comes the fun part; wait until the buds start smelling like old socks. Then place your jars in a dark location. The ideal temperature for curing is between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help your buds stay fresh and prevent mold from forming.
After you have let the buds sit for a few days you should notice that there has been a significant decrease in moisture content. This is a good sign that your bud is ready to go. You can now open your jars and enjoy high-quality weed.
Make Sure To Burp Your Buds
When you’re smoking weed you have to always remember to burp your buds. It sounds silly, right? But if you don’t burp your buds you will end up with a bad batch of weed.
To burp your weed you will need to make sure that you open the containers at least once a day for a few minutes. By doing this you are releasing any built-up moisture and replenishing the oxygen inside the container.
When you finish burping you will want to seal the lid back on tight to keep the moisture inside.
If you start to notice that a foul ammonia smell is coming from the container you will need to leave it open for a day and then reseal it on the following day.
The reason you might smell ammonia is that the buds are not dry enough and there are anaerobic bacteria consuming the buds. This can leave a horrible smell in the jars and even lead to your cannabis turning moldy.
You will need to burp your cannabis buds every day, but after the first week has passed you will only need to do this every few days.
How Long Does It Take To Cure Cannabis?
There is no set time period as to how long it takes to cure your cannabis. However, we recommend waiting at least two weeks before using your cured weed.
It really depends on the type of strain you use. For example, some strains take much longer than others. We recommend that you try different methods and find out what works best for you.
What Is The Best Way To Store Cannabis Buds?
Cannabis buds should be stored in airtight containers or sealed bags. They should also be kept away from direct sunlight.
Storing your buds in the freezer will preserve their strength and taste. However, this method does not work well for storage because most of the THC will evaporate. So you may want to look into other methods.
Some people store their buds in Tupperware or Mason Jars while others prefer glass jars.
The material that the container is made from is very important. Because marijuana is not exposed to UV rays it can become discolored over time. Plastic bottles will fade and break down over time. Glass containers will hold up better and last longer.
Let’s Talk About The Temperature
We recommend that you keep your cannabis buds at room temperature. This is usually around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping them too cold can cause them to lose potency. While keeping them too warm can cause mold to grow inside the containers.
Let’s Talk About The Humidity
Humidity is another factor that you will want to pay attention to when storing your cannabis. A humid environment will increase the chance of mold developing.
If you live in a hot climate you may want to consider finding a way to cool off your space so that your cannabis stays fresh and doesn’t get moldy.
Let’s Talk About The Lighting Conditions
Lastly, you should always check the lighting conditions where you plan to store your bud. You don’t want to expose your buds to harsh light or heat. Exposing your buds to these conditions will decrease their overall potency.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your cannabis healthy and safe is one of the top priorities when growing your own weed. But just like with anything else, being prepared is half the battle!
So remember to read all the tips listed above and try some new things. It could provide you with a more enjoyable experience when smoking your next joint!
My name is David Lumis and I am a self-proclaimed smoker. Five years ago, after I had been made redundant from my job as an engineer, my anxiety hit an all time peak. I have always struggled with it since I was a teenager, but that life event sent me into overdrive.
My story is exactly why I want to educate more people about cannabis and show them that it isn’t a dirty drug, but a form of medicine. If you are struggling, I urge you to read through this site to see how cannabis can help you.
