Post Harvest Volatility

Post-harvest volatility refers to the tendency of certain cannabis chemotypes to experience significant shifts in terpene and cannabinoid profiles during drying, curing, and storage. Strains exhibiting high volatility may show rapid terpene loss, oxidation of cannabinoids, or unexpected chemical transformations when environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, light exposure) fluctuate. This trait is particularly relevant to cultivars with abundant monoterpenes like limonene and myrcene, which are more prone to evaporation than heavier sesquiterpenes. Breeders and preservation-focused growers monitor post-harvest volatility as a key stability metric, since preservation of desirable chemical profiles directly impacts consistency across harvests and storage periods.

Breeders working toward stable, shelf-stable phenotypes often screen for lower post-harvest volatility by tracking terpene retention rates and cannabinoid stability across standardized curing protocols. Conversely, strains bred for fresh-frozen or live-resin processing may tolerate—or even prioritize—volatile terpene profiles, since extraction timing captures chemistry before degradation.