With recalls making headlines almost on a weekly basis, one may even wonder if there’s any cannabis products in dispensaries that isn’t contaminated at all. Growers have been increasingly under scrutiny as the source of tainted products. Fazle Quazi, founder and CEO of Boulderlamp, doesn’t point his finger to growers exclusively, but rather, he believes contamination is mainly caused by how the product is handled once it leaves the cultivation facility. That is why Fazle and his team have been pushing post-harvest cannabis care into new territory with a 405 nm light-integrated jar designed to keep buds fresh longer, eliminate mold, and even boost quality indicators such as terpene retention.

“Every week there’s a new scientific paper on 405 nm light,” Fazle said. “Now that efficient and inexpensive LED chips are available, we’re seeing this wavelength used in ways that were impossible a few years ago.”

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A gentle light with potent effects
The 405 nm isn’t UV, but interacts with organic compounds. When it touches plant material, reactive oxygen species (ROS), or free radicals, are created. In high concentrations, ROS are destructive. But at low doses and over longer periods, they can stimulate antioxidant activity, the plant’s natural defense and preservation mechanism. “The science is simple,” Fazle explained. “Low doses increase antioxidant activity. It’s like giving the plant a reason to protect itself.”

That is the concept behind the Boulderlamp’s new jar. Through exposing cannabis to a low-intensity 405 nm light over an extended period, the cannabis flowers remain fresh while keeping microbes in check. “If you increase the light’s intensity, you can kill mold or yeast faster,” he said. “But even at low intensity, running it longer achieves the same effect without damaging THC or terpenes.”

Preserving more than appearance
Early trials show that flower stored under 405 nm light retains its fresh look and feel for weeks, not days. “Normally, even in a sealed jar in a dark place, buds start to go stale after a week,” Fazle said. “After a month in this jar, they still look like you put them in yesterday.”

Beyond aesthetics, Boulderlamp reports surprising effects on terpene concentration. Users have noticed that buds feel slightly oilier to the touch, suggesting higher volatile compound retention. “We’re trying to connect this to studies on fruits and vegetables,” Fazle added. “There’s research showing that under 405 nm light, produce not only stays fresh longer but actually gains vitamin C and enzymes post-harvest.”

That last point has caught the attention of scientists worldwide. “How do you increase nutritional quality after harvest? That’s the big question,” he said. “We think it’s due to the light-triggered antioxidant response. The same principle could apply to cannabis.”

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Rethinking contamination control
While microbial remediation is standard practice in the U.S. cannabis industry, Fazle believes the contamination issue extends beyond cultivation. “Almost all Colorado growers now irradiate their crops,” he said. “But when buds reach retail, they’re handled by staff, displayed in open jars, and exposed repeatedly. That’s where recalls happen.”

Because 405 nm light isn’t ultraviolet, it doesn’t damage human DNA or the plant’s chemistry. “People hear ‘light kills bacteria’ and think UV,” Fazle said. “But 405 nm is different. It’s safe to handle, and it doesn’t degrade cannabinoids or terpenes.”

This makes the technology suitable not just for growers but also for retailers and home consumers who want to keep their flower fresh and clean without chemicals or heat.

Post-harvest science
Obviously, the 405 nm isn’t a panacea for all that’s contamination, Fazle points out. “This is another useful tool, one that can help maintain freshness, reduce mold, and there’s evidence that it can even improve product quality. The goal is to tackle contamination issues after cannabis flowers leave the cultivation facility.”

Boulderlamp plans to launch the 405 nm jar in January, targeting both retailers and smoke shops. “The goal isn’t to replace good post-harvest practices,” he said. “It’s to improve them with light, literally.”

For more information:
Boulderlamp
555 Aspen Ridge Dr., Lafayette, CO 80026
303-444-4852
boulderlamp.com