Cannabis’ Craft includes a Fine Cure

One of the blessings of knowing someone who is invested in the craftmanship of cannabis is getting random messages from them about science that excites them. My friend Vin Deschamps of 54 Green Acres Farm texted me this article about the curing and drying process. As someone who is an evangelist of his flower and his methods, it’s no surprise that an article like this sparked a response!

I was definitely smoking cannabis in the 1990’s, and let me tell you — it was a different experience by far for most of the country than what we have today. A lot more investment was spent on making the growth process stealthy. I clearly remember that mixed in with some of the brick weed we’d get on the regular (poor college kids amiright?) we’d, every once in a while, splurge on a special, sticky particularly delightfully-smelling eighth. It would have the sort of explosion of flavor that sticks with you after time. The sort of flavor I thought just couldn’t be beat until I managed to get my hands on 54 Green Acres Ultimate Purple — and, eventually, all of their strains…. To say I got obsessed with their flower, their process, the very place they were — is a bit of an understatement. It’s a tiny slice of heaven, and the team’s dedication to growing exceptional flower is unbeatable.

Part of my obsession with them comes down to being able to taste the craft. Weed lost flavor and smells in its genetics during prohibition for safety reasons — and now those who are invested in the craft of the grow are bringing it back. They’re selecting cultivars that will have optimum performance using sustainable growing methods. Part of reclaiming the flavors and smells of cannabis is in the curing process.

The Science

The article Vin linked me to points out that part of the issue with a lot of cannabis is that it’s overdried, which dooms any subsequent effort to cure it. Back in the day some of us may have heard legends of what people did to cure — I’ve even heard that some growers would bury their cannabis in jars to help cure it post-harvest. The best curing process means strict control of the environment in which the cannabis is stored — but there are many who may select to risk short-cutting the cure process to get product to the market.

It’s during the cure that the moisture remaining after the dry continues to distribute into the buds from the center to the outside. A slow, gentle cure also helps to preserve those volatile and tasty terpenes. Overall, the cure helps to refine the smoking experience, especially by helping to cut down on the chlorophyll (if your weed tastes like literal grass, this might be why!). When improperly cured the remaining sugars can also cause even more coughing and pain the throat. The curing process may also have a positive impact on overall THC.

There are others, however, far more invested in making certain their product is the best product it can be and who are focused on the craft of it. Vin’s farm is just that sort of place. They are invested in making an exceptional, organic cannabis product and pride themselves on their terpene profiles. They’ve been vocal about what the financials of such an endeavor look like. They go literal additional miles to keep the cannabis refreshed in the dispensary (that way they can carefully control the quality of their outgoing product and keep product on the shelves fresh). Invested in making sure their cannabis is available to patients — especially veterans — they’ve partnered with local dispensaries, like Breeze Botanicals, that have programs that help patients in need.

When Oregon was steeped in what I call “The Aspergillus Wars” 54 Green Acres didn’t hesitate — they wanted the cleanest product possible and reinvented their processes to ensure their grow was as clean as possible. The investments 54 Green Acres made weren’t just in some equipment — they underwent a full overhaul that required meticulous examination of each step of their process, renovations to their barn, and changes to staff responsibilities. They documented their journey, every step of the way, so that other farms facing the same decisions could understand how it could be done.

The Craft: Locking In

Craft cannabis brands like 54 Green Acres exist in every market, and you may find yourself at a place in your cannabis journey where understanding the product is of utmost importance. The more I understand about cannabis safety, the more I feel that the best gardens are those curated by those craft brands focused on the quality processes that result in a quality product. It ends up that a lot of the focus, especially for mold and Aspergillus issues, is on the post-harvest processes like drying and curing. That’s when things are most vulnerable, and it’s also when important parts of the cannabis experience are locked in. After all that has gone into the growing, an inability to control the necessary variables at this stage could end in disaster. Terpenes, many volatile in nature, in addition to cannabinoid profiles can be impacted.

For craft brands, especially those in legacy markets who are looking to cultivate recognizable products in a sea of sameness, focusing on exceptional flavor and experience may feel like a no-brainer, but it takes being all-in on every single detail. Today that means being a supply chain master, a sanitation expert, and a deep understanding of the needs and quirks of the cultivars under their care. They research the details — from which teas are best with which plants to the optimal spacing. The product speaks for itself — every single strain has a different flavor profile. This isn’t just ‘weed tasting weed.’

It’s a fiercely difficult time for cannabis businesses right now — many are facing existential crises in captive markets while being squeezed out by larger interests. In many markets it’s a race to the bottom, and finding those who are still invested, full throttle, in the craft of the plant is difficult but it’s not impossible. One of my first suggestions to those asking me how to find a good cannabis for them is to always research their market and understand who the players are — and what their strengths are. Not every state is going to be lucky enough to have a Vin, but there are plenty that will have craft growers who are knowledgeable, motivated, and passionate about creating a product that is a cut above in every way. It’s also savvy and future-facing. If (or when, depending on how optimistic you are) cannabis legalized, having a product that is safe and able to pass higher than state-minimum safety tests will be a leg up. There’s another piece at play here, too — as more people are exposed to mold or are advised by their physicians to limit their contact, and workers and consumers alike are exposed to mold and develop reactions to it, they may seek a way to find product that is both safe for them to consume and without any post-harvest remediation practices.

The Art: Finish Strong

One of the differentiating factors in the fine craftsman is the finish. Think of the best woodwork you’ve seen, the most magnificent stonework, or the finest clothing. Being able to invest the same high level of focus to the details at the end of a production cycle is one of the ways that you can separate the excellent from the rest of the pack. Cannabis also shares that attribute — the finest craftspeople are invested in their product and their brand in the steps after the grow. They partner with labs that give them scientifically backed results that will help them to optimize their garden and ensure their customer’s safety — not just put a high THC number on a label. They seek extractors that use processes that create a product that showcase their flower. They partner with dispensaries that are active and supportive of their communities.

To Vin and the craftspeople at 54 Green Acres, caring for each step of the process is just a part of who they are, and their exceptional product just so happens to be the end result. “For us, it’s about what we promise our customers — purely organic, amazing results. As a farm we are certified organically grown by Sun & Earth.org . The quality is a result of everything we do.” While not everyone can have access to THE 54 Green Acres, certainly there is someone near you — probably a small farm tucked away near you that is just as invested in creating something exceptional, ensuring that every step — including an appropriate cure — is met.You can check out farms that are certified organic and regenerative, just like 54 Green Acres, by checking out the websites for Sun and Earth or Certified Kind. You’ll be able to find cannabis producers who go the extra mile for consumers and grow clean, flavorful, and aroma rich cannabis — (AKA that sticky, delicious smelling weed). With people that are heavily invested in their craft and practices, you won’t be disappointed in what they’re making!