Do I need to cure to smoke ?

My plants smoke best fresh. Like a week after trimming is prime. Some plants get worse with time, some chage flavors but I wouldn't say they get better. For instance this pablo eacobar auto had this garlic savory raunchiness then after sitting in jar while i smoked other stuff now has cherry terps. Not sure how that happens but. I find that lemonine buds and sativas benefit from a few weeks of cure for smoothness.

Drying cannabis before consumption is an essential step that significantly influences the quality, effect, and safety of the final product. If you were to smoke freshly harvested buds (so-called "wet" or "raw" cannabis) directly, it would be nearly impossible and health-wise concerning for several reasons. Here are the main reasons for drying at a glance: 1. Combustibility and Smoking Comfort Fresh cannabis consists of about 70 to 80% water. • Poor combustion: Moist buds are hard to light and do not burn evenly. The ember keeps going out. • Harsh taste: Due to the high moisture content, burning produces hot water vapor. Combined with the chlorophyll still present in the fresh plant material, this leads to an extremely sharp, scratchy smoke that triggers coughing and tastes reminiscent of burning grass or hay. 2. Activation of Active Compounds (Potency) In the living or freshly harvested plant, cannabinoids are almost exclusively present as acids (e.g., THCA and CBDA). These acids have no pronounced psychoactive effect. • Only through the removal of moisture during drying and the subsequent heat when smoking (a chemical process called decarboxylation) is the carboxyl group cleaved off. • The inactive THCA is thus converted into the psychoactive, effective THC. A too high moisture content hinders this process, as the heat of the ember must first evaporate the water instead of optimally releasing the active compounds. 3. Mold Prevention and Shelf Life Fresh buds are extremely susceptible to microorganisms due to the trapped moisture. • When moist cannabis is stored, it quickly creates the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mold (such as gray mold/Botrytis). • Drying lowers the residual moisture of the buds to a safe target value of about 10 to 12%, making the cannabis storable and safe for months. Smoking moldy cannabis is highly harmful to lung health. 4. Development of Aroma (Terpenes) During the controlled, slow drying process, the plant gradually breaks down remaining chlorophyll and sugars. At the same time, the sensitive terpenes – the essential oils responsible for the specific smell and taste – are preserved at the correct temperatures. Only then does the cannabis develop its typical aroma. In summary, drying also ensures that cannabis becomes pleasant to consume, can fully express its effects, and is not compromised. Typically, drying is followed by a process called fermenting in airtight containers to further perfect the taste and texture of the buds. I think this should answer all questions. BEST REGARDS😁