How to Dry & Cure Cannabis: The 60/60 Rule

Why Drying and Curing Matters

You just completed your harvest—congratulations! But don't rush to smoke it yet. Fresh cannabis contains 75%+ moisture and will taste terrible, burn unevenly, and potentially give you a headache.

Proper drying and curing accomplishes several things:

• Removes moisture: Reduces water content from 75% to ~10-12% for proper burning.
• Breaks down chlorophyll: Eliminates the "green" hay-like taste and smell.
• Enhances potency: Allows cannabinoid precursors (THCA, CBDA) to fully convert.
• Develops terpenes: Terpene profiles mature, producing complex flavors and aromas.
• Smooths the smoke: Properly cured cannabis is less harsh on the throat and lungs.

Step 1: The Drying Process

After cutting your plants, you need to slowly remove moisture over 7-14 days. The key is slow and steady—drying too fast locks in chlorophyll and produces harsh, hay-smelling buds.

The 60/60 Rule

Maintain your drying room at approximately 60°F (15°C) and 60% relative humidity. This creates ideal conditions for a slow, even dry that preserves terpenes while preventing mold.

• Too hot/dry: Buds dry too fast, trapping chlorophyll. Results in hay smell and harsh smoke.
• Too cold/humid: Drying takes forever and risks mold growth.

How to Set Up Your Drying Space

1. Choose a dark space: Light degrades THC. Use a closet, tent, or room with no windows.
2. Hang branches upside down: Use string or hangers. Don't let buds touch each other.
3. Maintain airflow: Use a small fan on low, pointed at the wall (not directly at buds).
4. Control climate: Use a dehumidifier or AC to hit 60/60. Monitor with a hygrometer.

Step 2: The Snap Test

How do you know when drying is complete? Use the snap test:

• Bend a small stem.
• If it bends without breaking: Still too wet. Keep drying.
• If it snaps cleanly: Ready for trimming and jarring.
• If it snaps instantly and feels crispy: Overdried. Jar immediately—curing can rehydrate slightly.

The snap test typically passes after 7-14 days. Thick, dense buds take longer than airy ones.

Step 3: Trimming Your Buds

Once dry, it's time to manicure your buds by removing the small sugar leaves. You can do this while wet (wet trim) or after drying (dry trim)—both methods work.

• Use sharp scissors: Curved trimming scissors or spring-loaded shears work best.
• Remove fan leaves: These should already be trimmed at harvest.
• Trim sugar leaves: Cut leaves close to the bud. Save trimmings for edibles or hash!
• Work over a tray: Collect fallen trichomes (kief) for later use.

Step 4: Curing in Jars

Curing is the slow aging process that transforms good cannabis into great cannabis. It happens in sealed glass jars over 2-8+ weeks.

How to Cure Cannabis

1. Fill mason jars 75% full with trimmed buds. Don't pack tight—leave room for air.
2. Seal and store in a cool, dark place (65-70°F ideal).
3. Burp daily for 2 weeks: Open jars for 15-30 minutes to exchange air.
4. After 2 weeks: Burp every 2-3 days.
5. After 4 weeks: Minimum cure complete. Continue for even better results.

Monitoring Jar Humidity

Place a small hygrometer inside each jar to monitor humidity:

Step 5: Long-Term Storage

After curing, cannabis can be stored for 6-12 months (or longer) without significant degradation if conditions are right:

• Temperature: 60-70°F. Avoid heat, which degrades THC.
• Humidity: 58-62% RH. Use Boveda or Integra packs.
• Light: Store in complete darkness. UV light destroys cannabinoids.
• Air: Airtight containers (mason jars, CVault). Minimize headspace.

Avoid: Plastic bags (static removes trichomes), refrigerators (humidity fluctuations), freezers (trichomes become brittle and break off).

Common Problems & Solutions

1. "Hay Smell"

Cause: Dried too fast, or not cured long enough.
Solution: Continue curing—the smell often improves over 2-4 weeks as chlorophyll breaks down.

2. Ammonia Smell

Cause: Buds were too wet when jarred; anaerobic bacteria are growing.
Solution: Remove from jars immediately, inspect for mold, dry longer before re-jarring.

3. Mold in Jars

Cause: Humidity too high (above 70%), poor airflow, or contamination.
Solution: Discard affected buds (mold spores spread). Check remaining buds carefully. See our Disease Guide.

4. Buds Too Dry/Crispy

Cause: Over-dried before jarring, or stored without humidity control.
Solution: Add a 62% Boveda pack to gradually rehydrate. May not fully recover terpenes.