The reason why I want to do it right away is mostly because I found the very first signs of spider mites on one plant when I was thinning out the foliage in my room. And i've decided to axe that plant, but I don't want it sitting around drying either. The plant has 4 weeks left to go, so it's not totally mature, but it has buds on it. Will those buds be almost as potent as mature?yes. yes you can...even the stalks and twigs
i would give it a day or two of drying myself, but there's no reason you can't use it straight away.
you'll needs lots of the stuff though for just a bit of good infused oil or few hard hitting pats of butter.
Totally worth it.
I've had bad experience with spider mites. I'd rather sacrifice one, than to have an infestation thru all of my plants. Plus, I would love to boil them and eat those little bastards .........nope.
kill the mites, not the plants would be my view.
mites will just add protein to the butter happily enough.