- Fact-checked by Dr. Desiree Granados
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a psychoactive drug that is most commonly smoked or eaten. Cannabis can cause euphoria and relaxation, and is sometimes used to treat various medical conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and nausea. Cannabis is illegal in many countries, but is becoming increasingly decriminalized in others.
People use cannabis for a variety of reasons, including recreational purposes, to treat medical conditions, and to relieve symptoms of other illnesses. Some people find that cannabis helps them relax and relieves stress, while others use it to reduce anxiety or chronic pain. Cannabis can also be helpful for people who have difficulty eating due to nausea or other medical issues.
What Are the Growth Stages of Cannabis?
Cannabis undergoes three main growth stages: vegetative, flowering, and harvest. The vegetative stage is the first stage of growth, and it lasts for two to four weeks. During this stage, the cannabis plant grows new leaves and stems. The flowering stage is the second stage of growth, and it lasts for six to eight weeks. During this stage, the cannabis plant produces buds that contain the psychoactive compounds tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The harvest stage is the final stage of growth, and it lasts for two to four weeks. During this stage, the buds are harvested and dried.
What Exactly is Curing Cannabis?
When the time comes to harvest your bud, before cutting down the plant it’s important to let it cure for a week or two. Curing cannabis is the process of drying and storing cannabis in order to preserve its potency. It is important to cure cannabis in order to maintain its potency and maximize its medicinal effects. Curing allows moisture trapped within the flowers to escape, preventing mold and bacteria from growing.
Curing cannabis also allows the chlorophyll in the leaves to break down, leading to a more flavorful and fragrant end product. This process takes time, but is worth the wait. Bud that has been properly cured will have a much more pleasant smell and taste, and will be less harsh when smoked.
What Happens if You Do Not Cure Cannabis?
Curing cannabis is important because it can make the bud much smoother and taste better. It also makes it less harsh when smoked, so you can smoke less of it to achieve desired effects. If cannabis is not cured, it will have a harsher effect on the lungs when smoked, and it will also be more likely to grow mold or bacteria during storage.
It is important to remember that curing cannabis is essential for preserving the medicinal benefits. Without curing cannabis, the cannabinoids will start to oxidize and lose their potency. The cannabis may also start to burn if you dry it too fast or for too long. You may also experience a loss of flavor if do not cure it properly. .
Curing preserves the potency of the cannabinoids. It also makes the cannabis easier to grind into a powder, and it has a better taste. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your bud is properly cured and ready to enjoy!
So How Do I Cure Cannabis?
There are many ways to cure bud, but the most basic is to simply hang it upside down in a dry, dark place. You can also use a drying rack, or even just lay the buds out on a paper towel. Make sure to keep an eye on them and rotate them every few days so that they dry evenly. You can also dry it in a dehydrator or oven on low heat. Make sure to keep an eye on it so that it does not burn.
Another method of curing starts with taking 1 liter mason glass jars and fill them 5/6 full of freshly cut nugs. The remaining 1/6 should be filled up by loosely packing it down firmly without crushing too much of the plant matter in the jar. This helps circulate air so that moisture can escape rather than staying trapped inside where it can cause molding, bacteria growth, etc… .
After you’ve filled the jars, screw on the metal lids tightly and give them a good shake. This will help bruise the buds and start the curing process. Place the jars in a cool, dark place and let them sit for 3-7 days, shaking them every day or so. After 3-7 days, you can start to loosen the lids slightly to allow air to circulate (but don’t take them off completely).
Do this for another 7-10 days, then remove the lids completely and store in a cool, dark place. Check on your buds every week or two to make sure they’re not getting too dry (you want them to be slightly moist but not wet). Once they’ve reached the desired moisture content, you can store them in an airtight container for long-term use.
Other Helpful Tips
You can remove the leaves from your dried buds before or after you cure it. Removing the large sugar leaves will help dry out your lower buds faster, and can make them more aesthetically pleasing as well. It is not necessary to leave them on, but if you have a lot of patience then try to keep as many intact as possible. If you’re going to trim off all of the big sugar leaves anyway, save yourself a bit of labor and do it right before you start curing so that they’re still wet with resin. This will allow them to adhere easier to whatever surface you choose for your “nug-run”.
Conclusion
However you choose to cure your cannabis, make sure to do it slowly and patiently. It takes time for the buds to dry out completely, and if you hurry the process you may end up with a harsh and unpleasant smoke. Curing cannabis requires time and patience, but does not take much effort once you get started and you will ensure that the process is done properly.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy your cannabis for months or even years to come! It may take a little bit of time, but it will be worth it when you finally get to enjoy your buds!
How we reviewed this article:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana - Medicinal Cannabis
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/medicinal-cannabis
Current Version
December 3, 2021
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Desiree Granados
Editorial Process
Our Editorial Process
Jake Peter received his journalism degree from Emerson College and has been writing content for the Sanctuary Wellness Institute since 2021. He is passionate about all things cannabis.
