Cannabis grading is quickly becoming the norm as the industry embraces standardization. Buyers on the cannabis marketplace have come to appreciate graded cannabis because they know the product has been objectively evaluated and fairly priced.
When cannabis is graded through Cannafax it is assessed using the International Cannabis and Hemp Standards (ICHS) to determine the quality based on aroma, color, structure, and trichomes. The greater the grading score, the more the cannabis is worth at wholesale and retail levels.
With harvest season finally here it’s time for growers to see the product of their labor, but in order to ensure the cannabis reaches its full potential, producers should keep in mind these three ways to maximize their cannabis grade.
1. DON’T CUT ANY CORNERS WHEN DRYING AND CURING
While there is no one best way to dry and cure your cannabis harvest, there are plenty of ways to do it wrong. This is one of the most frequent pitfalls seen among cannabis operators.
Getting the drying and curing process properly dialed-in is crucial to getting a high grade when the cannabis is finished. Your flower could make the cover of High Times magazine when it is in your garden, but if you don’t dry and cure it properly the smell and taste will be lacking when it's time to grade.
There are many different ways to achieve success with proper drying and curing. From high-tech facilities to no-tech situations in a barn, what it comes down to is good ventilation, proper temperature and humidity levels, and patience.
Cannabis that is not dried enough can mold, cannabis that is dried too much can become a harsh smoke. Flower shouldn't be hung too close together, nor should the process be rushed with heaters and dehumidifiers, and someone should be assessing the drying product several times a day -- smelling it, checking the branches, and monitoring the dryness until the product is ready for processing.
Getting the drying and curing process perfect does cost time and money, however, processors stand to lose even more when they try to rush things or cut corners.
For large farms, producing thousands of pounds of product, it can be challenging to handle the cannabis properly and let it dry for the appropriate amount of time. When multiple harvests happen at once, clearing out the dry room to get to the next batch can become important. However, farmers should consider if they are willing to sacrifice the quality of their product, and thus higher profits, in the process of rushing drying and curing.
2. HANDLE THE FLOWER AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WHEN PROCESSING
Cannabis that is really high quality is usually hand-trimmed; it can make a big difference. But what it really comes down to is handling the flower as little as possible. Every time you handle the product it knocks trichomes or parts of the flower off, which can degrade the quality. The less you can touch it, the better, and as a result you'll see those long-term results.
The main thing is to be gentle with it as a plant and remember that it’s a flower, not a nut or a bolt. The farms that take handling seriously are the ones who receive a higher price on the wholesale market and also at the retail level.
3. EMBRACE PROPER STORAGE METHODS
The best way to store finished cannabis is in an airtight container in a temperature-controlled environment, with no exposure to light.
Another tip here is to store the cannabis in shallow, trough-like containers as opposed to buckets or big tubs. If you store your cannabis in buckets, the weight of the flower on top will crush the flower on the bottom, degrading structure and potentially allowing for unwanted levels of moisture.
Cannabis should also be stored in a room that minimizes light exposure and keeps the temperature in the 60s (F), so it is neither too hot nor too cold.
Avoid a storage situation where you’re often opening the container and running your hand through the material again and again. Vacuum sealing product in one-pound bags and storing it in a dark room is another effective option, allowing the bags to be opened even six months later and find it the aroma just as pungent as when it was stored. But be cognizant of a good seal -- exceptional cannabis stored in plastic bags with a weak seal and too much light can become sour-smelling and discolored in a fraction of time.
PROCESS AND KNOW-HOW ARE EVERYTHING
While none of these tips are a guarantee, they are critical to improving your chances of a successful harvest. Even a super clean $10 million facility can produce disappointing cannabis if post-harvest care is not taken, and on the other hand, smaller, old-school operations can produce the best flower in their region thanks to proper handling.
When you take the time to do things properly, you can ensure a high-grade and high profit for the product of your labor. It all comes down to plant genetics, experience, patience, and not cutting corners or overhandling the plants.
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