Trimming cannabis is an art that enhances the overall quality, appearance, and experience of the buds. Here are some key reasons why trimming cannabis buds is beneficial:
“Top Shelf†Appearance
Trimmed cannabis buds are often associated with high-quality #1excludeGlossary products. When you see buds in magazines, dispensaries, or online, they’re usually manicured to perfection. This clean, refined appearance has become the standard for what we consider #2excludeGlossary making untrimmed buds seem less appealing in comparison.
Better Smell
Trimming cannabis before it goes into jars for curing results in a stronger, more desirable aroma over time. Trimmed buds develop a classic “weed” smell, whereas untrimmed buds can sometimes develop a “planty†or hay-like odor if stored in an airtight container for long periods with their leaves intact.
Smoother Smoke
When smoking or vaping cannabis, excess leaves can create a harsher experience on the throat and lungs. Trimming cannabis removes these leaves, making the buds smoother and more pleasant to smoke or vaporize by eliminating unnecessary leafy material.
Higher THC Concentration
Cannabis flowers from modern strains can contain 20-30+% THC by dry weight, while fan leaves contain much lower THC levels (typically 1-4%). Even sugar leaves with visible trichomes have less THC than the main buds. By trimming cannabis, you’re left with a higher concentration of THC #7excludeGlossary, which means you need to smoke or vape less to get the desired effects.
Utilizing Trimmed Material
Many growers choose to process their trimmings, often called “trim,” rather than discard them. There are numerous ways to extract THC from trimmed leaves, including making dry ice hash, cannabis-infused butter, or canna capsules. You can sprinkle dry ice hash on top of bowls to increase potency, use butter in edibles, or carry canna caps for easy, on-the-go dosing.
Personal Preference
While trimmed buds are generally perceived as higher quality, some growers prefer the look of trichome-rich sugar leaves on their buds. Both methods have their appeal, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference. I recommend trying both trimmed and untrimmed buds to see which you prefer. As long as you’re satisfied with the results, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it!
Trimming Cannabis: Wet Trim vs. Dry Trim
There are two main approaches to trimming cannabis, each with its benefits depending on the drying environment and desired outcome:
Wet Trim (Trimming Before Drying)
Wet trimming involves trimming the cannabis buds before they are dried. This method is ideal in high-humidity environments where mold can be a concern. By removing the leaves while they’re still moist, you reduce the risk of trapping excess moisture in the buds during drying.
Dry Trim (Trimming After Drying)
Dry trimming, on the other hand, is performed after the cannabis buds have already dried. This technique is beneficial in low to moderate-humidity environments, allowing the buds to dry slowly and evenly. By leaving the leaves on during drying, you help retain the bud structure and potentially enhance the drying experience.
Why “Wet Trim†and “Dry Trim�
These terms are named after the moisture levels in the leaves during trimming. “Wet trim†refers to trimming cannabis while the leaves are still moist. “Dry trim†refers to trimming cannabis after the buds and leaves have fully dried. Most cannabis growers at least remove the large fan leaves by hand before drying, but some may hang the entire plant without any trimming at all.
Wet Trim Example
In a wet trim, all leaves are removed before the buds are set out to dry. These buds will still be full of moisture when the trimming process begins, allowing for quicker and cleaner removal of excess leaf material.
