420 with CNW – Why Humidity Matters During Cannabis Cultivation

For centuries, wine merchants have been cognizant that sticking to every step of the winemaking process is crucial in ensuring the quality and value of the end product. So, they have to be cautious from cultivation and harvesting techniques to fermentation, aging, and packaging of the wine. This strict process of winemaking is now being adopted in the production of marijuana.

Professionals who have worked in the consumer-packaged-goods (CPG) sector for several decades have been interested in finding out how the quality and value of marijuana flower is affected by post-harvest storage and packaging. After conducting research, it was found that the most significant issues affecting quality and value are storage conditions and humidity levels, as well as the challenge of preventing mold.

Researching about what happens to marijuana once it is harvested is the Boveda research team, which previously studied humidity control in manufactured and CPG products. What prompted the research is the fact that there wasn't much information on marijuana storage. The most surprising finding is the impact of evaporation on the quality and sale of weed.

The loss of moisture in marijuana affects the overall product.

Profitability is equated to the weight of the cannabis flower in the industry because the weightier the harvest, the higher the market value. The results of the research showed that if the storage environment's optimal relative humidity (RH) drops by 5%, six-pounds are lost for every 1,000 pounds of cannabis buds. If the wholesale price of a gram of marijuana flower were $5, the loss in revenue would be $13,500. The established humidity levels by the ASTM International ranges from 55%-65%. ASTM is an independent industry standards organization.

For testing humidity levels, the Boveda research team purchased cannabis flowers from retail stores in multiple states, which showed that most of the strains sold today in the retail outlets are below the established relative humidity levels. This means that thousands of dollars in revenue is being lost despite the frequent changes in the wholesale price of the flower.

When we look at the history of marijuana flower, growers, processors, and packagers always insisted on storing the bud at a specific level of humidity ‘ceiling.' This is because when the flower is stored at high moisture levels, it is prone to mold development or growth of microbes. That is why some people tend to dry the flower beyond the recommended levels.

Some people excessively dry the bud because they believe in the fallacy of rehydrating the cannabis flower; however, this method damages the trichomes, which in turn destroys the quality of the flower — trichomes house the plant's resins, cannabinoids, and terpenes. Thus, when trichomes are damaged, the flower loses its aroma, taste, scent, and appeal, all of which are very important because it's what customers look for when purchasing weed — preserving these elements when drying and packaging is therefore vital because rehydration cannot restore them.

Cannabis growers can use desiccants for absorbing moisture, mechanical equipment that alters relative humidity, or two-way moisture control sachets that are designed for packaging containers to control humidity.

If you are venturing into marijuana processing or cultivation, experts advise that you take the cue from established cannabis businesses like IONIC Brands Corp. IONC IONKF and Plus Products Inc. PLUS PLPRF which have mastered the delicate balance between keeping humidity high enough so that product weight remains optimum while also keeping it low enough to prevent mold and other such problems.

About CNW420

CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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