After months of carefully growing, maintaining, harvesting and drying your cannabis plants, you’re finally at the home stretch – but wait! Don't reach for your bongs and blunt wraps just yet, because there’s one more crucial step before you sample the goods. You'll understandably be tempted to start smoking your fresh buds right away, but if you want the best experience possible, you’ll only get it by curing cannabis properly.
Curing cannabis is the final, sometimes overlooked stage of the cultivation process, where properly dried buds are stored in controlled conditions to develop their full aroma, potency, and smoothness. Rushing this step or skipping it entirely can lead to harsh smoke, a grassy taste, or even moldy weed. But when done right, curing transforms your buds into top-quality cannabis that burns evenly, tastes phenomenal, and delivers a stronger, more enjoyable high.
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about curing cannabis, from why it’s important to how to do it correctly. Best of all, it features everything you need to know without over-complicating things.
Why Should You Cure Cannabis Buds?
Curing cannabis isn’t just about making your buds taste better – it’s about preserving their quality for the long run. Here’s why it matters:
Enhances Flavor and Aroma – Curing cannabis allows the terpenes (the compounds responsible for cannabis’ smell and taste) and other compounds to develop fully, preventing a harsh, grassy taste.
Maximizes Potency – During curing, cannabinoids like THC continue to mature, increasing the strength of your buds.
Smooths the Smoke – Harsh, throat-burning smoke is often the result of improperly dried and uncured buds. Curing removes excess chlorophyll, leading to a much smoother inhale.
Prevents Mold and Mildew – if moisture isn’t properly controlled, buds can become moldy, ruining your entire harvest. A proper cure ensures they stay fresh and safe.
Improves Long-Term Storage – Curing cannabis maintains its potency and freshness for months, whereas uncured buds degrade much more quickly.
You don’t want to spend all that time nurturing your buds just to have a bad experience at the moment of truth. If you’ve come this far in growing your own weed, taking the time to cure it properly is well worth it. In fact, let's go a step further - it's a huge faux pas to not cure your buds.
What’s The Difference Between Drying and Curing Cannabis?
Some newbie growers confuse drying and curing, but they are different jobs and serve different purposes.
Drying is the first step after harvest, where buds are hung or laid out in a controlled environment to remove the majority of their moisture, This typically takes 7-10 days and prevents mold from forming.
Curing, on the other hand, is a slower process that follows drying. It involves storing buds in airtight containers at a controlled humidity level , allowing cannabinoids and terpenes to mature. Curing cannabis takes at least two weeks, although many growers cure their buds for a month or more for the best results. Patience is definitely key, but it really does pay off when you light up that first joint.
Curing is a process associated with improving quality in everything from quality cuts of meat to whiskeys and wines. Think of it like aging a fine wine – drying cannabis is more like bottling the wine, while curing cannabis is the slow aging process that brings out the depth and richness of flavor.
What Equipment Do I Need For Curing Cannabis?
To cure cannabis successfully, you’ll need a few basic pieces of equipment. While there are different methods available, the essentials remain the same:
Airtight Containers – Glass mason jars are the most popular choice, but specialized curing bags are growing in popularity and make for an excellent choice. Avoid using plastic containers such as Tupperware storage boxes, as they can negatively affect the taste.
Hygrometer – An essential tool in the curer’s arsenal, a small digital hygrometer that measures humidity levels inside the jars or bags is a must. This will ensure your buds stay inside the optimal range for curing successfully.
Humidity Packs (Optional) - Boveda or Integra Boost packs help regulate humidity levels, preventing fluctuations that could ruin your cure.
Dark, Cool Storage Space – A cupboard, drawer, or storage box works well to keep light and temperature fluctuations to a minimum.
Having the right setup ensures that your curing process runs smoothly and that your buds develop to their full potential.
Preparing for the Curing Process
Before you can enjoy the benefits, it’s crucial to prepare your cannabis plant for the curing process. Proper preparation ensures that your buds will develop their full potency and flavor, resulting in a superior final product.
How To Tell If Your Buds Are Ready To Cure
Don’t dive in just yet – before you start curing cannabis, you need to make sure your buds have dried enough. If they’re too moist, they’ll gather mold in the jars; if they’re too dry, they’ll lose flavor and potency. Here’s how to tell if they’re ready:
The small stems snap rather than bend. If they still feel soft and bendy, your buds need more drying time. Thank you for playing, come back next week.
The buds feel dry on the outside but still have a slight sponginess when squeezed. They should not be brittle or crumble easily.
If you have a moisture meter, the buds should read 10-12% moisture content inside.
If your buds meet these criteria, it’s time to get curing.
How To Cure Cannabis Properly
Step 1: Place Buds in Airtight Containers
Fill your jars or curing bags about ¾ full, leaving some space for air circulation. Don’t pack them too tightly, as trapped moisture can lead to mold.
Step 2: Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Find a storage spot with stable conditions. The ideal environment for curing cannabis is:
Temperature: 15-21°C
Humidity: 55-65% inside the container
Step 3: Burp the Jars Daily
For the first 7-14 days, open the jars or bags for a few minutes once or twice a day. This practice is called ‘burping’ and releases excess moisture and allows fresh air in, preventing mold buildup.
Step 4: Monitor Humidity Levels
If the humidity inside the jar is too high (above 65%), leave the jar open for longer peiods or place buds on a paper towel for a few hours before resealing them. If the humidity is too low (below 55%), add a small humidity pack to maintain optimal conditions.
Step 5: Continue Curing for 2-4 weeks
A minimum of two weeks is necessary for a decent cure, but for the best results, aim for four weeks. Some patient growers cure their buds for even longer, leading to an incredible smoke and enhanced potency.
What is Burping Cannabis, and Why is it Necessary?
Burping is the process of periodically opening your jars to release trapped moisture and replace stale air with fresh oxygen. This is essential in the first two weeks of curing cannabis to prevent mold and ensure even drying.
How to burp your buds correctly
Open the jars (or bags) for 5-10 minutes once or twice a day, and gently shake or rotate the buds to redistribute air circulation. After two weeks, burping can be reduced to once every few days. Once your buds have stabilized at the correct humidity, burping is no longer necessary.
How Long Should You Cure Cannabis For?
It’s personal preference/patience dependent to a degree, but ultimately, how long your buds spend curing will impact the end result.
2 weeks: This is acceptable, and will enhance your buds a little – but it’s not optimal
4 weeks: This is a well-balanced cure which will result in a smooth smoke
8+ weeks: Curing for this long will push your buds to maximum flavor and potency
6 months+: Aged cannabis with refined characteristics
The longer the cure, the better final product. If you have the patience (or the remaining stash to tide you over) waiting at least four weeks will give you the best smoking experience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Curing Cannabis
Since curing is so integral to your cannabis' quality, you want to make sure you nail it. Even experienced growers can occsionally make curing mistakes that ruin their buds. Here are some common errors to avoid:
Don’t skip the drying process or begin curing to soon
We get it – a grow takes months, and you’re dying to get your hands on some quality puff. But have patience – the end product will be superb, and skipping steps can lead to mold forming and ruining your bud completely. Then you'll wish you'd been patient!
Dry your buds, but be careful not to over-dry them
Being patient is crucial – but don’t go too far the other way, either. Over-drying your buds leads to weak, brittle cannabis that burns too quickly.
Don’t pack the jars too full
When curing, don’t fill jars or bags anymore than around two-thirds of the way. This prevents proper airflow and increases the risk of mold forming on your buds.
Don’t neglect to burp
Set a daily reminder on your phone if you have to. Failing to burp can lead to weed that smells like ammonia, and again, the risk of mold. Similarly, burping too often can have adverse affects - you risk drying out the buds too much.
Don’t store your curing buds in direct light or fluctuating temperatures
Aim for a dark spot like a cupboard, wardrobe, or drawer to avoid degrading cannabinoids and terpenes while curing cannabis.
Is Curing Cannabis Worth The Effort?
Curing cannabis requires patience, but it’s a necessary final step in ensuring your buds reach their full potential. It enhances flavor, smoothness, and potency while preventing mold and degradation. Take your time, follow the steps, and enjoy high-quality, perfectly cured cannabis that smokes better than anything that was rushed to the finish line. Happy curing!
