Thanks, but it was Doc's idea.
Yes. Mine are in their jars for awhile now (with Boveda packs).
I DO think there is an appreciable difference. I did not wash my entire harvest. I washed one plant from each of my strains. I do prefer to smoke the washed buds. Mine were not terribly dirty. The best way I've found to describe the difference I perceive is that the smoke is "smoother". I hesitate to call it "cleaner" just because people may think it's just cognitive dissonance in action here. What I'm trying to describe is not so much the taste, but the feeling of the smoke. Another way to try and explain it is... the smoke is just easier on my lungs. I recently caught a pretty bad cold. I had a real hard time smoking anything, but I could tell that the washed buds were easier to smoke than some of the unwashed buds from this and the prior harvest. FYI, hash was the easiest to smoke.
I definitely think there is some benefit from washing the buds. There is no question in my mind. That being said, the question for me is, is it a big enough difference for MY grow. I'm actually undecided. This process DOES add more work to the harvest process. My dilemma is this, I know it makes a difference, not huge, but it's undeniable IMHO. The patients that have been getting my meds have never complained though. They don't even know that there is another option! My problem is with the increased work, I'd like to see a proportionate increase in my compensation, but the patients don't,
yet, recognize the value there. I did plan to setup a display at the market to educate patients, but I'm no longer going to the market myself, so no longer have my direct contact with patients. Anyway, I'm still weighing the costs and benefits for MY situation. I have a couple months to decide what I will do with the next round.
Short version:
Washing buds makes them better. How much depends on the grow(er), but even my very clean buds improved from the process. I wholeheartedly recommend all growers at least try it for themselves.