Cannatrol and the Cannabis Research Coalition Test Impact of Drying Systems on Cannabis Quality

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In a September 25, 2024, press release, Cannatrol, a cannabis processing technology company, shared the results from two studies on the effects of its drying processes on terpenes, trichomes, and other aspects of cannabis plants. The studies were conducted by the Cannabis Research Coalition (CRC), and tested the effectiveness of Cannatrol’s technology to maintain stable vapor pressure throughout the drying and curing process.

In one study, Cannatrol’s Cool Cure drying system was compared to traditional drying methods to test terpene retention. Out of 16 cannabis plants, half were dried with Cannatrol’s post-harvest drying system and the other half were dried using traditional methods. Cannatrol’s system, according to the CRC, delivered on average 16% higher terpene retention.

The aim of a second study was to examine on a microscopic level how cannabis flower dried and cured with Cannatrol's Vaportrol Technology compared in terms of physical differences with flower dried and cured using traditional methods. Here, 16 plants were dried using either Vaportrol or traditional methods. “The results show that by drying with Vaportrol technology, trichome glands are preserved and do not continue to senescence which can lead to loss of quality,” the CRC analysis concluded.

“There are plenty of legacy cultivators growing good flower, but the key is to educate the community about the true science behind the cannabis post-harvest process,” said David Sandelman, CTO and Co-Founder of Cannatrol, in the press release. “The science proves that maintaining vapor pressure levels keeps trichomes intact and delivers higher terpene retention with every harvest. By using these new methods in post-harvest, cultivators can consistently create more smokable cannabis that is superior in flavor, appearance and effect.”

The mission of the CRC, founded in 2022, is to bring together stakeholders—including academia and businesses—in the cannabis industry to support research and efficient cultivation techniques. “Years of prohibition limited research into this plant, causing the cannabis industry to be fraught with tactics that have no scientific backing,” said Dr. Allison Justice, CEO of the CRC, in the press release. “Cannatrol's dedication to cannabis science benefits customers and the entire industry by advancing our understanding of how cannabis functions. The CRC and the industry as a whole thank Cannatrol for its efforts in progressing the exploration of this remarkable plant.”