What Are Marijuana Terpenes?

Terpenes are the compounds that give plants, not just marijuana plants but all plants, their aromas. 

From the plant’s perspective, terpenes provide it with natural protection from bacteria, fungus, insects and other environmental threats.  From our perspective, terpenes have health-giving effects, in cannabis and other plants as well.

Over 140 terpenes have been identified in cannabis.  Besides giving each marijuana strain its unique aroma and flavor, these organic hydrocarbons also play an important role in how a given strain makes you feel.  Terpenes also are integral to the health-giving qualities of the plant.

Marijuana terpenes interact with cannabinoids and are integral to what scientists call “the entourage effect” of whole plant medicine.  This essentially means that the sum of the cannabis plant's parts is greater than any individual cannabinoid (such as CBD or THC) or terpene.  The power of the entourage effect in cannabis is one reason why I personally favor whole plant medicine and use it in making my edibles and topicals.

That said, this is another area of cannabis research still in its infancy and we have a lot to learn about how terpenes and cannabinoids interact to provide medical benefits.

Marijuana Terpenes Explained: Forget About Indica and Sativa!

As research into cannabis and terpenes progresses, it is changing a lot of what we used to think we knew about marijuana.

The old school conventional wisdom used to divide cannabis into the broad categories of indica, sativa, and hybrid.  And conventional wisdom used to say that indicas were better for relaxing and sleep, while sativas were more energetic and creative.

But science and research have now found that the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of any given strain are what actually causes its effects and are likewise better predictors of what to expect from a given strain.

Each cannabis strain has a unique combination of terpenes and cannabinoids, not to mention compounds called flavonoids that we know even less about.  It is that combination in any given strain makes us feel the way we do.

For practical purposes terpenes have three big effects on the cannabis you consume:

• Medicinal Effects – As we discussed above the terpenes determine most of the effects that used to be attributed to the broad plant classifications of indicas and sativas. If you prefer certain strains over others because of the way they make you feel, chalk a big part of that up to the strain’s terpene make up.
• Flavor – Just as a fragrant juicy ripe peach, pineapple, or melon has more flavor than one with little scent, terpene rich cannabis is simply more flavorful than strains that are weaker in the terpene department. Likewise, cannabis with strong pleasant scents provides more enjoyable smoking or vaping experiences.  For cooking, terpene-rich cannabis will be favored by chefs and foodies trying to pair flavors and terpenes (see more below).
• Price – Terpene rich cannabis is the marijuana equivalent of a fine wine, but just as fine wines often come with higher price tags than 2-Buck Chuck, so does terpene-rich cannabis. In fact, there is a saying in the cannabis industry: “Smell Sells,” meaning consumers tend to favor (and pay more) for highly scented nugs.  Keep in mind, however, that terpenes have nothing to do with the potency of the THC.

Terpenes versus Terpenoids What’s the Difference?

These two terms are increasingly used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two, although it’s technical and a little wonky.

Generally speaking, think of a terpenoid as a slightly altered terpene.  A terpene is a hydrocarbon, whereas a terpenoid has been denatured by oxidation such as what occurs when marijuana flowers are dried and cured. The term terpenoid also refers to terpene derivatives or terpene-like substances.

Why are companies making and bottling terpene extracts without cannabis?

The cannabis industry is getting quite sophisticated with terpenes and extract artists are using them to craft specific blends when making cannabis concentrates.

In broad strokes how this works is that sophisticated lab equipment isolates out the individual cannabinoids and terpenes.  This allows the extract artist to then add them back in specific quantities.

It is all meticulous and scientific and many experts predict this is the future of medical marijuana as not only can blends be made to treat specific symptoms, the company can produce the exact same results, batch after batch after batch.

Many if not most of the terpenes you get in vape oils and concentrates are in fact botanical terpene extracts, not from cannabis at all.  Why?  Because these are far less expensive and complex to produce.  But regardless of which botanical the terpenes originate from, they still carry the same scents and medical properties, because in a lab, a molecule is a molecule is a molecule.

Marijuana Terpenes in the Cannabis Kitchen