I would imagine that the isomeric breakdown of remnant carboxylic acids (which I would imagine to be higher if cut early) underlines that although cropping earlier = more THC, a good proper cure is just as important as the early crop. Although, with this logic, CBN is created mainly during the curing process, so under the same token, possibly a shorter cure would bolster such desired outcomes.
Lets think about this then:
For an early crop:
Early crop = more carboxylic acids, about the same THC, and less CBD.
Cure = Carboxylic turns to THC, existing THC breaks down to CBD and CBN. THC overall level may edge up a bit, but probably ends up holding the line.
For a Later Crop:
Later cropping = Less Carboxylic acids, More THC, and a good presence of CBD and compared to the early crop.
Cure = Less THC is yielded from the Carboxylic acids, and the existing THC breaks down into CBD and CBN.
So even though you start out with more THC on a later cure, you will probably end up with less THC (as it will not be replenished through the curing process), or a shittier high as the CBN (which will be in higher quantities with the later cure) will block the THC from getting to more of your brain receptors.
Article makes some sense.
So I suppose, with this thinking, a later crop should cure for less time to retain THC levels. So fuck the taste. And if you crop early, cure for a normal period of time to have the carboxylic acids fully turn to THC.
If you are selling however, once you hit a certain quality threshold: weight = money. This maybe a better tip for head stash, or people pin pointing depression.