A Guide to Cannabis-Derived Terpenes

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis. Learn what they are, how they shape a strain's profile, and how to read them on a SunMed label.

A Guide to Cannabis-Derived Terpenes

Do you love the lemony scent of your favorite strain of cannabis flower? Or maybe you gravitate to more earthy, pungent strains. Whatever aromas and flavors draw you in, you may have wondered how cannabis strains have so many distinct aromas. The answer is terpenes. 

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds responsible for the way cannabis smells and tastes — and they're not unique to cannabis. The same molecules show up in lavender, black pepper, mangoes, and pine forests. Understanding terpenes is one of the most useful ways to learn how to shop for cannabis with intention. Most cannabis consumers consider smell, look, and taste before buying their bud, and of these traits, aroma usually ranks the most important.

This guide walks through what cannabis-derived terpenes are, how they differ from botanical terpenes, the most common terpenes you'll see on a Maryland dispensary label, and how to use that information when you're choosing a product at SunMed.

What Is a Terpene?

Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds produced by a wide range of plants, including the cannabis plant. In cannabis, they're created in the same trichomes that produce cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

Outside of cannabis, terpenes are everywhere: limonene gives lemon peel its smell, pinene is what you notice walking through a pine forest, and linalool is the dominant aroma in lavender. When researchers and growers talk about a cannabis strain's "terpene profile," they're describing which of these aromatic molecules are present and in what ratios.

Cannabis-derived vs. botanical terpenes

Not all terpenes in cannabis products come from cannabis. Cannabis-derived terpenes are extracted directly from the cannabis plant during processing. They reflect the original aromatic profile of the strain they came from. Botanical (or non-cannabis-derived) terpenes are isolated from other plant sources and added back to a product. These are common in mass-market vapes to give them a specific flavor profile. 

At SunMed, we utilize cannabis-derived terpenes wherever possible because they preserve the character of the strain and create complex aromas. Our label will tell you what's in the jar. Just as you read a label to see the THC potency, you should note which terpenes are listed, as this will tell you what aromas and flavors to expect. 

Common terpenes you'll see on a Maryland dispensary label

Below is a quick reference for the terpenes you'll encounter most often. We're describing aroma and where else in nature you'd find each one — not making claims about what they will do for your body. Research on cannabis terpenes in humans is still emerging, and individual experience varies.

Do Cannabis Derived Terpenes Get You High?

Cannabis-derived terpenes themselves are not intoxicating and cannot get you high. This is because terpenes don’t bind to the same receptor as THC or CBD. Instead, terpenes determine the aroma and flavor of the given strain. 

Researchers have proposed something called the "entourage effect" — the idea that terpenes and cannabinoids may interact when consumed together. The science here is still emerging, and we don't make claims about what any single terpene will or won't do. The most reliable way to learn what works for you is to pay attention to terpene profiles on the products you try and notice what you tend to gravitate toward.

How to shop with terpenes in mind 

Three practical things you can do with this information:

• Read the label. Most SunMed flower and concentrate products list dominant terpenes alongside THC and CBD percentages.
• Build a profile of what you like. If you keep coming back to citrus-forward strains, that's useful information for your next visit.
• Ask your patient consultant. The team is trained to talk through terpene profiles on the menu and help you compare options.

Sun-Grown Cannabis from SunMed Growers

If you're eager to experience terpene-rich cannabis for yourself, there's no better place to start than with SunMed's sun-grown flower. Our high-tech greenhouse cultivation, which uses full-spectrum light, stimulates the production of more diverse and potent terpenes and cannabinoids in the cannabis flower, often resulting in more flavorful bud. Ready to embark on this aromatic journey? Find a dispensary near you to shop our flower.