The drying and curing process of cannabis has traditionally been shrouded in mystery and tradition, often leading to inconsistent results. But Allison Justice, a leading researcher in cannabis physiology, is dedicating her work to improving this process, aiming to increase efficiencies and stabilize the quality of the final product.
Justice’s exploration into federally legal hemp is not only contributing to a better understanding of the plant’s physiology, but also how to optimize its post-harvest stages. This extensive research could have significant impact for cannabis producers and patients who depend on California medical marijuana cards, alongside other states, in terms of both product quality and availability.
A Q&A with Allison Justice
Justice recently offered insights into her research during an exclusive Q&A session. She touched on the current methods of drying and curing cannabis, the problems with these practices, and the potential solutions her research offers.
MJBizDaily: What are the current methods for drying and curing cannabis and what deficiencies do you see in those practices?
Allison Justice: The challenge that many producers face is the drying process itself. Cannabis is typically hung to dry, which can take up to two weeks. The result is often a product that is too dry on the outside and still moist on the inside. This can lead to issues like mold growth and inferior product quality. Moreover, this method is labor-intensive and takes up a lot of space – two factors that decrease the overall efficiency.
MJBizDaily: How does your research contribute to improving these practices?
Allison Justice: Our studies show that there are several ways to optimize the drying and curing process. For example, using dehumidifiers and fans to control the environment can significantly speed up the process and reduce the chance of mold growth. We also see potential in mechanizing the drying process.
New Practices for Drying and Curing Cannabis
Justice’s research is pushing the boundaries of conventional drying and curing practices in an attempt to optimize procedures and enhance product quality.
Environment Control: Controlling humidity and wind speed in the drying setting can reduce drying time and limit mold development. Precise management of these variables can result in an evenly dried product.
Mechanization: Implementing machinery in the drying process can decrease labor-intensity and space requirements, augmenting efficiency in cannabis production facilities.
Standardizing Practices: Standardizing drying and curing methods can assure consistent quality of products across different batches. This is beneficial for patients who rely on cannabis for medical aid.
Integrating Justice’s research into the cannabis ecosystem could stabilize the quality of the end product and enhance the overall efficiency of cannabis production. This is beneficial not only for producers, but also for patients who rely on MMJ’s medical marijuana cards to access consistent and reliable amounts of their critical medication. It’s another step toward improving a budding industry, and a significant one at that.
