Plant Drying Guide

Welcome to the Cannabis Plant Drying Guide, your comprehensive resource for mastering one of the most crucial stages in cannabis production. Drying isn’t just a step – it’s a critical phase defining the quality, safety, and profitability of your harvest yields. By the end of this course, you’ll understand how to manage moisture levels and Water Activity to ensure your cannabis products reach their full potential, both in flavor and potency.

In this training, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the drying process, including measuring moisture and Water Activity – two (2) essential indicators of a properly dried product. We’ll delve into both “Dry Trimming” and “Wet Trimming” methods, exploring the pros and cons of each. You’ll also learn the importance of maintaining an optimal drying range (between 0.55 – 0.65 Water Activity) to prevent mold, preserve terpenes, and enhance the cannabis experience.

Cannabis drying is a balancing act. Dry too quickly, and you risk a crispy outer layer with a damp core, which can lead to mold growth. Dry too slowly – both terpenes and cannabinoids can degrade – resulting in a less potent and flavorful product. By using accurate measurement tools, such as the Chilled Mirror Hygrometer then you can achieve consistency in every batch, ensuring your product’s safety and maximizing yield.

The course also covers regulatory standards, highlighting the importance of compliance with both Water Activity limits and moisture content measurements. You’ll explore various drying variables, learn about effective loss-on-drying alternatives, and understand how to apply predictive models to streamline the process.

Ultimately, proper drying ensures safety and quality but impacts your bottom line, so achieving precision in moisture control can improve yield, reduce waste, and extend the final product’s shelf life. If you’re working in a large-scale facility or a small operation, these techniques can boost product quality and profitability.