The distinctive smell of cannabis is universal, whether you’re a consumer or not. Some describe the smell as pungent, while others consider it delightful. Whether you’re a Utah medical cannabis patient or not, the scent is undeniable.
The aroma of cannabis is hard to contain and immediately noticeable. Have you ever been walking down the street, gotten a loud whiff of flower, and instantly jerked your head to see where the smell was coming from? Thought so… But why does cannabis smell the way it does? Why is it so strong? And why can it smell like different things?
The word “cannabis” comes from the Hebrew word kneh-bosm, which means “aromatic reed.” The name was coined thanks to one organic compound found in the plant: Terpenes.
Terpenes are hydrocarbons, a chemical compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon and located within the plant material. Terpenes are found in virtually every plant, and are what gives them their individual smells and tastes. Over 20,000 have been discovered and catalogued in nature.
Unlike other plants, cannabis has over 1,000 different terpenes. These terpenes vary within differing cannabis strains and provide each one with its own unique smell.
Terpenes are fragrant oils located within the trichomes of cannabis. Trichomes are the resin glands of the cannabis plant that contain THC, CBD, CBN and other active medicinal cannabinoids. They appear as the “frosty” mushroom-like crystals that everyone loves to see on their flower.
Trichomes serve as a defense mechanism for cannabis in nature. They give off a strong scent that deters unwanted animals and insects. They even work as sunblock from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Opposingly, cannabis connoisseurs are attracted to these smells and can determine a lot about the type of a strain just from wafting an open jar.
For example, limonene is the second most commonly found terpene in nature. Limonene is a derivative of the word “lemon” and is responsible for giving some Utah medical strains their citrusy notes. Ice Cream Man, Orange Zkittles, Orange Creamsicle, and Pink Starburst Petrol are just a few of the strains found in the Utah market that are typically high in limonene.
In addition to THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, terpenes play an important roll in the overall effects of cannabis. Terpenes provide additional therapeutic effects aside from the most looked-for “high” or “stoned” feeling.
Friend of Salt Baked City and leading cannabis horticulture author Ed Rosenthal said, “If THC is the engine to the cannabis plant, terpenes are the steering wheel for its effects.” Although tiny, they are the directors of the THC high.
Interestingly, some terpenes counteract the effects of THC – while others boost it. The most promising terpenes to utilize in coming down to earth when you get too lit are those found in lemons, black pepper, and pine nuts. Myrcene, linalool, caryophyllene, humulene, limonene and pinene are some of the most commonly found terpenes in the cannabis plant. Each has their own unique scent, ranging from earthy to spicy, floral, and piney.
Myrcene is the most commonly found terpene in cannabis and has an earthy smell. You can find high levels of myrcene in popular Utah medical strains like Garanimals, Sundae Driver, Purple Punch, Do-Si-Dos, and Night Terror. Although the fragrance of terpenes is its most notable attribute, each terpene also comes with a host of its own effects and medicinal benefits. Pinene can boost energy, while improving focus and memory. Limonene can provide users with an elevated mood and stress-relief. Linalool has helped consumers with anti-anxiety, pain relief, and sedation.
There seems to be a family resemblance when it comes to terpene profiles, as a cannabis parent can pass down its scent to its descendant strains, called phytonutrients. Lab-tested products are the only way to identify which terpenes are present in a cannabis strain. To date, The Utah Department of Agriculture has not adopted this type of testing and only displays cannabinoid percentages.
We now know every cannabis strain has its own unique terpene profile, much like fingerprints. We can use these profiles to consider individual affects, and to combine different compounds for a variety of benefits. When we are purposeful, we can create the perfect terpene cocktail, or pick the perfect strain at the pharmacy to ease our medical needs.
You can research terpenes on medical literature indexes like PubMed and Google Scholar for more information, or ask your friendly bud-tender next time you visit a Utah medical cannabis pharmacy.
