Light degrades THC...

[TheMetal1]

Ok... It's pretty unanimous that intense light degrades THC. So how does any of it make it through to harvest when it's growing under high intensity lights for months? Or outside under that big grow light in the sky? Is THC produced faster than the light degrades it? I'm thoroughly confused over this right now... :jointsmile:

It has to be some easy answer, because THC obviously survives the light exposure. My current state of mind is perfect evidence of that :rastabanna: (haha first time using RastaBanana)

I just dumped bubbler water on my foot :hippy:

Someone please let me know so I can sleep tonight?
edit: I have no idea if this is in the right spot. What section is this?

TheMetal1 Reviewed by TheMetal1 on 09-14-2008. Light degrades THC... Ok... It's pretty unanimous that intense light degrades THC. So how does any of it make it through to harvest when it's growing under high intensity lights for months? Or outside under that big grow light in the sky? Is THC produced faster than the light degrades it? I'm thoroughly confused over this right now... :jointsmile: It has to be some easy answer, because THC obviously survives the light exposure. My current state of mind is perfect evidence of that :rastabanna: (haha first time Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

The synthesis and breakdown of psychoactive resins occurs when the plant is alive, too- and it continues producing more during its reproductive cycle. The trichomes changing colors is a visible sign of the breakdown; the amber color is a sign that much of your THC is degraded into secondary compounds.
Minimizing exposure to intense light after chop slows this process.

[TheMetal1]

Hahaha... who would have thought? The thread would reach a conclusion with the input of Stinky? :hippy:

That's pretty cool stuff. The plant is just too bad ass to let that THC decrease while it has the beating "heart" to stop it. Ahh, Mary is always looking out for us :stoned:

I guess DTRave, in a general sense, it would seem that the plant loses it's ability to fight the process as it grows older. Just like people...

Hmm... I wonder what would happen if you smoked people? Mmmm smoked people. What do you recommend? Applewood? Hickory? :jointsmile:

[stinkyattic]

Soylent green?

[Dutch Pimp]

I think you are confusing "light degrades THC" with drying/curing buds.

Oxygen(air)/heat/light degrades THC during the dry/curing process. That's why you DRY in a cool, dark place with good air circulation and cure in air-tight glass jars; in a cool/dark place. Comprende?

[TheMetal1]

Haha... I don't know what my deal is tonight. I mean, lights obviously don't lower the potency of buds... that wouldn't even make :twocents:

I was searching through some old threads and saw this post:

Darkness doesn't increase THC. You're taking away the plant's ability to power itself.
Yeah, your car may be lighter with no gas in the tank too...

Intense light degrades THC but that's simply a reason to hang dry and store in the dark.

from this thread:
http://boards.cannabis.com/plant-pro...-no-thc-3.html

The OP was confusing THC with visible trichomes... but it explains my initial thought process. I couldn't remember what got me thinking about it in the first place :stoned:

So, I guess my re-phrased question is... why doesn't this process occur when the plant is alive? Or am I still missing the boat here?

[Dutch Pimp]

why doesn't this process occur when the plant is alive?

...damn, if I know....:stoned:

[TheMetal1]

...damn, if I know....:stoned:

Hahaha sweeet.... I'll smoke to that :jointsmile: I wonder who holds the secret?

[Dutch Pimp]

Hahaha sweeet.... I'll smoke to that :jointsmile: I wonder who holds the secret?

I think cannabis plants and the sun, worked out some kind of arrangement, millions of years ago....

[TheMetal1]

I think I may have understood a portion of it... maybe not though :stoned:

If I have been reading correctly (and that's a BIG if :jointsmile, there is actually a time when the THC content of a live plant will decrease. The point of diminshing return is usually beyond 100% amber trichomes. So, it may not just be after the plant is dead. I would still like to know what inhibits this process earlier on in ripening though. :rasta:

Edit: Haha now I'm reading something else that says THC builds all the way until harvest... and only begins to decrease once the plant is dead. WTF is wrong with the internet? I'll stop trying to answer my own question now.