Curing and preserving marijuana – Tutorial
Once we have completed the drying process correctly and verified that the buds are sufficiently dry, we will move on to the marijuana curing process.
As we have read in the process of drying marijuana, Curing is closely linked to drying to obtain the highest quality marijuana buds in terms of smell, taste and potency.
It is a process similar to the aging of wine.
After drying, the buds still contain chlorophyll. The curing process aims to eliminate that "green" taste (chlorophyll) and lasts between 4 and 8 weeks. During this time, the maturation reactions of the cannabinoids and terpenes also take place. THC transitions from its acidic state (THC-A) to its psychoactive form (THC). In other words, the psychoactive potency of the buds increases.
Some users extend the curing process to up to a year, but this leads to THC degradation and a reduced psychoactive effect. Additionally, some of the THC will convert to CBN, resulting in a more narcotic or sedative effect. Ultimately, it depends on the individual and their intended use of the cannabis.
We can use several procedures for curing marijuana:
Airtight glass jars.
Cedar wood boxes (the best known are the 00Box Boxes).
Cardboard box.
The simple, effective, and inexpensive method is using airtight glass jars. The jars should have an opening large enough to easily insert the buds.
Conditions for curing
We will put the buds in the glass jar and place it in a cool, dark place.
The temperature should be below 26°C with an ambient humidity of 55-65%. This will ensure the process is carried out slowly and under optimal conditions.
We must not squeeze the buds; we must allow air to pass between them.
Open the glass jar and leave it open for about an hour, then close it again. If you're using a wooden or cardboard box, turn the buds over as well.
The frequency of opening the jar is as follows:
First week: 1 time a day.
Second week: 1 time every 3 days.
Following weeks: 1 time per week.
At first, you'll notice that when you open the jar, the buds will be a little damp or sweaty; this is normal. This will allow the excess water to evaporate.
After some time, when you open the jar you will see that the buds are crunchy again.
Preserving marijuana after curing
For storage, we will need an airtight, opaque container. This can be glass jars or vacuum-sealed bags. We will not use wooden boxes because they are not airtight enough.
Vacuum-sealed bags are the best option. We must prevent air from entering to avoid oxidation of the resin glands.
We can preserve the harvest for a year with hardly any loss of psychoactivity. We can even keep them in the refrigerator and preserve them for 2 or 3 years.
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