Best way to cure buds are to hand them in a worm dark area, so yea light isn't good, use a bread bag twisty tie and just tie it up somewhere dark since u say you don't " have the luxury" of hanging. It will take almost a week before its even ready for stage two! After its hung for almost a week u can do the final trimmings on it break it up into chucks and then u need to cure it for 12 hours in an enclosed space and 12 hours in an open space.
Use a mason jar u can twist lid off and on as needed
This process of drying and curing could take longer than hang drying, you'll know it's ready when you go to open the container and the buds are not moist anymore..
I know your probably wanting to smoke up but if you follow this procedure your are going to be experiencing a much smoother much more potent smoke.. Just saying