That's super interesting. Could be that the terpenes and THC is at the highest when you chopped and it just degrades after it sits, albeit improving the flavor and harshness over time. I can attest to the joint of my premature Sour Kush is hitting me nicely.
Hey, it's been 5 years, or 15 lol. I'm glad I tried this, and I can't believe the microwave almost perfectly dried the bud as well as currently enjoying a smoke-able joint that doesn't smell like grassy chloraphyll. It's hitting too. Cheers