does drying too fast decrease potency?

lets say if i dry some bud and fan leaves under a incadescent bulb or a microwave or oven, I know it will make them taste like shit but does it decrease the potency/thc? I know its better to hang dry and take time but sometimes I just use an incadescent bulb to dry a small amount quickly

hypernovax said:

lets say if i dry some bud and fan leaves under a incadescent bulb or a microwave or oven, I know it will make them taste like shit but does it decrease the potency/thc? I know its better to hang dry and take time but sometimes I just use an incadescent bulb to dry a small amount quickly

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to my knowledge it does, especially when drying is done with a light directed at ur buds..

I would think it would, but if you are hard up for smoke than have at it bro

Improper drying/curing one sure way to turn otherwise good smoke into harsh crappy headache weed. First, it's gotta dry in the dark with airflow. Light degrades THC, and dark promotes mold-so you gotta keep air moving!! When you first harvest fresh buds, they have lots of chlorophyl which has a harsh leafy taste. If you dry fast, then the chlorophy doesn't have time to dissipate. Even after drying for a few days (longer depending on bud density), you should cure in a mason jar and burp it a few times a day until everything is nice and dry and smooth.

You could certainly dry fast and smoke it, but patience makes all the difference at this stage. Wait if you can, your head and lungs will thank you for it...

Light will degrade THC. But perhaps that isn't really the main point of the OP's question!

It's not so much that a fast drying/curing will decrease the potency - it's more about how speeding up the process will prevent the THC content from "developing" and converting to it's full potential.

It may sound like the same thing, but it is different.

Sounds like a good idea, baby your crop then nuke it!!! What the hell is wrong with you?

Short answer: Yes, quick drying does not allow the plant to reach its full potency potential.

When you cut the plant, its branches are still very much alive. Therefore, the plant will continue to perform its metabolic processes in order to produce energy.

Among these processes is the conversion of cannabergerol (CBG) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You do not want the CBGs as they are non-psychoactive.

Another process is that of decarboxylation, which also takes place to a degree during curing. This happens when the THC hydrocarbon chain looses the carboxyl group attached to it. This process is needed to convert cannabinooids to usable psychoactive forms.

Also, during curing, some of the terpenoids found within the plant become phenolated, turning into cannabinoids and further increasing the potency.

All these processes can not occur in the absence of water.


-AR

microwave bud ftw.