Curing is the unsung hero of cultivation: a meticulous process that transforms freshly harvested cannabis into flavorful, potent, smooth-smoking cannabis flower. While curing can be overshadowed by the excitement of growing, it’s essential for preserving terpenes, enhancing cannabinoid profiles, and ensuring a superior experience for the consumer.
“Cannabis cultivators of all types need to control every step of the process from seed to smoke,” cannabis king Ed Rosenthal wrote on his blog. “Nurturing the life cycle of the plant is only the beginning. After putting so much care into the cultivation process, it’s critical to ensure trimmed buds are properly dried, cured, and stored in a clean, stable environment that preserves terpenes, potency, and quality.”
Thankfully, newer technology has taken much of the guesswork and labor out of this traditionally fickle process. Innovative solutions like TerpLoc® technology introduce a more consistent and controlled environment to the curing world, which means cultivators of all sizes are able to preserve their product’s quality without the margin for error.
What happens during the curing process
Think of curing like…cannabis finishing school. The hard work gets done in the grow room, but your buds still need some serious refinement. Curing slowly breaks down leftover sugars and chlorophyll, which means smoother smoke, richer flavor, and none of that “just mowed the lawn” taste.
To put it a little more technically, curing is the controlled process of removing excess moisture from the buds over time while allowing the terpenes and cannabinoids to mature and stabilize. During this process, terpenes get preserved, cannabinoids settle into their full potential, and microbial threats like mold and mildew get the boot. Do it right, and you’ve got a longer shelf life and flower that actually improves with time.
Results of improper curing
Mess up the cure, and your weed will let you know. Expect that infamous “hay” smell, a flavor profile that’s more grass clippings than gas, and smoke that hits like sandpaper. Worst case scenario is moldy buds, so unless you’re trying to cough your way into next week, it’s worth doing right.
Proper curing is the difference between “pretty good” and “damn, what is this?” If done right, your lungs, nose, and stash jar will all thank you.
How to cure weed
Curing weed might seem like the final stretch, but it’s actually where a lot of the magic happens for growers. Traditional curing takes time, attention, and a handful of tools, but when done right, it takes your flower from good to great.
Here’s how to cure cannabis.
Traditional curing tools
- Curing room: A dark, well-ventilated space where you can control temperature and humidity. Ideal range should be around 60–65°F and 55–62% RH. Too much heat or moisture will result in mold; if it’s too dry, you’re left with flavorless weed.
- Glass jars: Quart-sized mason jars are the go-to. Airtight and easy to “burp”, fill them about ¾ full to give buds room to breathe.
- Hygrometer: A helpful tool that tells you the humidity inside the jar. This is crucial for making sure you’re not accidentally creating a mold motel.
- Thermometer: Keeps you honest with room temperature. Precision matters more than you’d think, and too much fluctuation can ruin a good cure.
Step-by-step traditional curing
- Drying: Start the process by hanging branches upside down, using a drying rack, or laying buds out on mesh trays in your curing dry room. Drying typically takes 5–10 days. You’ll know it’s time to move on when smaller stems snap instead of bend, but the buds still have a bit of give. Commercial growers have to follow specific local regulations for drying and storage, so be sure to check those boxes if you’re doing this at scale.
- Initial curing: Once dry, transfer the buds into your jars, only filling them about ¾ of the way. Always store in a cool, dark place.
- Burping: For the first 1–2 weeks, open the jars once or twice a day for a few minutes. This releases built-up moisture and brings in fresh air. After the second week, you can cut back to burping every couple of days.
- Monitoring: Make sure to keep a close eye on humidity and temperature the entire time. If your buds start smelling like hay or the RH spikes, you’ll need to course-correct. Properly cured buds should smell like actual cannabis: loud, flavorful, and clean.
- Duration: The full cure typically takes 2-4 weeks, but some connoisseurs who opt for a longer cure let it go for 6-8 to dial in flavor and smoothness. Curing the old-fashioned way is often a test of patience.
Curing timeline: what to expect week by week
Week one
Your jars are packed, your hygrometers are in, and it’s time to burp. Open each jar once or twice a day for a few minutes to let fresh air in and moisture out.
Good signs: Buds feel slightly sticky but not wet.
Red flags: Wet or spongy buds, sharp ammonia smell, RH over 70 percent—that’s mold territory.
Week two
You can relax a little now and burp every couple of days. If RH creeps above 65 percent, open the jar for a few hours to bring it down.
Good signs: Scent is getting stronger, smoother, and more complex.
Red flags: Hay smell, sharpness, or buds that feel too crispy means your cure might be stalling.
Week three
This is where flavor comes alive. Keep an eye on RH and only burp if it spikes.
Good signs: Aroma deepens, RH stabilizes around 60 percent, buds feel springy.
Red flags: Smell fades or gets musty, RH fluctuates wildly, or buds feel overly dry.
Week four+
You are getting close to ready. Some growers stop curing here, but others might go longer for max flavor and smoothness.
Good signs: Bold, distinct aroma, clean burn, and a smooth smoke.
Red flags: Harshness on the throat, brittle buds, or a flat scent all mean it might’ve gone too dry.
Challenges with traditional curing
Traditional curing can be a pain. Between burping, monitoring, adjusting, and hoping your jars don’t turn into petri dishes, it can feel like a full-time job with no guarantee of consistent results.
- Labor intensive: Daily attention required, especially early on.
Risk of mold: A single misstep in humidity, and your buds will suffer. - Inconsistent results: Even experienced growers deal with uneven batches.
Modern innovations in curing
What is TerpLoc?
TerpLoc is a high-tech, multi-layered material that creates the ideal curing environment inside the bag. It effortlessly balances oxygen and humidity levels, while preventing UV exposure and static charge (which can degrade trichomes). Think of it like putting your weed in a spa that keeps it fresh, clean, and terpene-rich.
Benefits of using Grove Bags
- No burping required: TerpLoc regulates moisture exchange on its own, so you can set it and forget it.
- Guards against mold: TerpLoc also keeps RH in the safe zone without human error.
- Enhanced terpene preservation: This means less handling for you to worry about, and optimal conditions for your cannabis plants, which results in louder flavor and aroma.
- Extended shelf life: Flower stays fresh for months; no more dry, sad nugs after a few weeks.
FAQ
Can you skip curing if buds feel dry?
No. Even if your buds feel dry to the touch, curing is still an essential step in the post-harvest process. Dryness on the outside doesn’t necessarily mean the moisture has been fully removed from the inner layers of the flower.
Curing allows for the slow redistribution of moisture from the core to the outer parts, which results in a more even, stable product. It also enhances flavor, aroma, and smoothness by breaking down chlorophyll and other compounds that can cause harshness. Skipping this step can result in a less potent, harsher smoke and diminished terpene profile, which no one wants to hear.
Does curing affect potency?
Yes, curing can affect potency, but in a good way. While it doesn’t increase THC levels, it helps preserve cannabinoids like THC and CBD by creating a stable environment that protects them from degradation. When buds are cured properly, enzymes and unwanted byproducts break down gradually, and that allows the cannabinoids and terpenes to stabilize so they can fully express themselves. You’ll ultimately come away with a smoother, more flavorful, and more effective experience. Skipping the cure or doing it wrong can lead to cannabinoid loss, meaning less potency and a rougher smoke.
How long to cure marijuana?
Wondering how long to cure cannabis? Curing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but many growers opt for 4 to 8 weeks, and consider that the best way to cure weed. Some even cure for several months to bring out the full terpene and cannabinoid profile.
Your ideal timeframe will depend on your drying process, environment, and how refined you want your final product to be. During curing, buds are usually stored in airtight containers (like TerpLoc and monitored regularly for moisture and aroma. The key is patience, because rushing this stage can compromise everything from potency to flavor.
How do I know when curing is done?
When your buds are dry on the outside but still slightly springy when squeezed. You’ll want a consistent texture throughout, and the smell should be rich, aromatic, and reflective of the strain’s true terpene profile—no grassy or ammonia-like odors. When the buds burn smoothly and evenly with white ash and no harshness, that’s another sign your cure is complete. If you’re using Grove Bags, our TerpLoc® technology helps create the perfect microclimate, so you’ll reach that sweet spot more efficiently and with less need to burp or babysit your buds.
Long vs short cure time
A short cure (around 1–2 weeks) can make your flower smokable, but it often results in harsher hits, muted flavor, and a less refined aroma.
A long cure (4+ weeks) allows for full terpene development, smoother smoke, and a more potent, well-rounded experience. During this time, unwanted compounds break down while beneficial ones mature and stabilize. This is a slow refinement process that can significantly elevate quality.
In short: quick cures are convenient, but long cures are where top-shelf flower is born.
How to automate curing
Some growers use “auto-curing buckets”—sealed containers with built-in hygrometers, humidity packs, or air-exchange systems—to reduce the need for daily burping and monitoring. Just keep in mind that these setups aim to maintain ideal humidity levels and streamline the curing process, but they can be bulky, require multiple components, and still leave room for human error.
Want consistent results every time? Explore Grove Bags and skip the burping.
