Just because the thread is ancient, and just because the original OP no longer cares, others who may have the same question or are curious might want to know the answer(s), too. And because I didn't see an answer that matches my experience, I'll add my own:
You can sample your plant before harvest by taking a small nug and drying it in the oven. Put it on a cookie sheet or a piece of foil and sit it in a cold oven. Then turn the heat on at the LOWEST setting. In 10-15 minutes, it's done. You can also sit it under one of your plant lights, a few itches from the bulb, for about the same length of time.