Sales Training
Terpenes: The Flavor and Feel of Cannabis
Terpenes are the unsung heroes of cannabis, responsible for the plant's distinct aromas, flavors, and a big part of its effects. These naturally occurring compounds are found in many plants, but in cannabis, they take on an even more significant role, influencing the type of high or relief you experience. Beyond their appealing scents—think citrus, pine, or lavender—terpenes interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to shape the overall experience, in what’s known as the "entourage effect." This is where the magic happens: terpenes can amplify or mellow out the effects of THC, helping to create a more tailored high.
For budtenders, one of the key challenges is helping customers understand that cannabis is more than just THC percentages. While many shoppers chase high THC levels, believing it’s the ultimate marker of potency or relief, the truth is more nuanced. THC alone doesn’t dictate the quality of the experience—terpenes are just as important, if not more so. A budtender can explain that while THC provides the base psychoactive effects, terpenes determine how that high will feel. For example, someone seeking relaxation might benefit more from a strain high in myrcene than simply a high-THC strain. By focusing on terpenes, budtenders can guide customers to strains that deliver the relief they're looking for—whether it's calming, uplifting, or pain-relieving—rather than just the most potent high.
In today’s market, terpene-rich strains have a growing appeal, and educating customers about their benefits not only enhances their experience but also shifts the conversation away from THC as the sole marker of quality. It’s about finding the right balance between cannabinoids and terpenes to truly elevate cannabis sales and customer satisfaction.
Here are some common terpenes found in cannabis, along with their effects,
Myrcene: The Heavyweight Champion of Chill
You’ve had a long day, you just want to melt into the couch, and then you spark up something with that unmistakable earthy, herbal scent. Enter Myrcene. This terpene is the backbone of those sedative effects that’ll have you couch-locked and carefree. When someone comes in asking for a strain that’ll knock the edge off and send them on a one-way trip to relaxation, Myrcene is your go-to. Found in high concentrations in indica strains, it's that ingredient in the sauce that brings calm to the chaos.
If Myrcene were a food, it’d be like a good mango or a plate of lemongrass chicken – earthy, sweet, and a little herbal. It’s not just for cannabis, though; you’ll find it in hops (that’s why some beers make you feel a little too comfortable), thyme, and lemongrass.
Speak the Strain:
Blue Dream: When you're walking the line between mellow and motivated.
Granddaddy Purple: The epitome of "Netflix and chill," a staple for sedation.
OG Kush: Legendary for good reason, the calm it brings is almost euphoric.
Pinene: Clear the Fog
Pinene does what it says on the tin—it smells like a walk through a pine forest, sharp and crisp. You know that feeling of mental clarity you get after a breath of fresh mountain air? That’s Pinene in action. It helps with memory retention, alertness, and can even keep the dreaded THC fog at bay. It’s the antidote to that "I forgot what I was talking about" moment.
You can find this terpene in more than just weed. It’s also present in rosemary, basil, pine needles, and a well-made pesto. The flavor? It’s sharp, like taking a deep breath of a pine-filled forest.
Speak the Strain:
Jack Herer: If your customer’s looking to stay focused while getting creative.
Blue Dream: Yep, Blue Dream’s back on the list. The pinene in it smooths out the high, making it perfect for mellow vibes without the fuzz.
Trainwreck: A cerebral rush that’ll hit hard, but with a refreshing pine aftertaste.
Humulene: The Appetite Assassin
Humulene is the unsung hero for those who want the relaxation but not the munchies. You know how some strains make you devour an entire bag of chips like you’ve been stranded in the desert for a week? Well, Humulene is the opposite of that. It’s an appetite suppressant, making it perfect for folks who want to keep their snack drawer intact.
Found in hops (hello, craft beer lovers), basil, and cloves, this terpene has a woody, spicy aroma that’s earthy and grounding. It brings a bit of calm and might even help with inflammation or allergies.
Speak the Strain:
Girl Scout Cookies: The sweet spot between calming and uplifted, GSC keeps you grounded.
Sour Diesel: Energetic with that trademark pungent aroma, but Humulene keeps it from spiraling into munchie madness.
White Widow: A balanced euphoria, delivering good vibes without the need for a snack break.
Limonene: Sunshine in a Terpene
Limonene is the bright, zesty, wake-you-up-like-a-slap-to-the-face terpene that brings citrusy vibes and mood elevation. It’s what you point to when someone wants a strain that makes them feel good, almost instantly. Think anti-anxiety, stress relief, and a dash of pure optimism.
As you might guess from its name, it’s found in citrus fruits—lemons, limes, oranges—so the flavor profile is a no-brainer: bright, tangy, and refreshing.
Speak the Strain:
Super Lemon Haze: The citrusy punch matches the uplifting effects, perfect for someone looking to kick-start their day.
Lemon Skunk: For that mellow lemon vibe, great for easing stress.
OG Kush: Yes, again. The Limonene in this legend brings a balance of uplifting effects and pure chill.
Caryophyllene: The Spicy Healer
Now we’re talking spice—Caryophyllene is the black pepper of the cannabis world. It's got this warm, peppery, woody aroma and is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Here's the kicker: Caryophyllene is unique because it binds to the CB2 receptors in your immune system, giving it more of a medicinal edge.
You’ll also find it in black pepper, cloves, cinnamon—basically anything that warms you up from the inside out.
Speak the Strain:
GSC (Girl Scout Cookies): The perfect “relax and chill” strain, with Caryophyllene's anti-anxiety boost.
Bubba Kush: For deep relaxation and soothing vibes, Caryophyllene’s in full effect.
Chemdawg: A heavy hitter, but that peppery punch smooths out the experience.
Linalool: The Lavender of Chill
Linalool is that calming floral scent that makes you think of lavender fields in the French countryside—or at least a good spa day. It’s floral, a little spicy, and great for anyone looking to unwind and de-stress. Linalool is your ultimate anti-anxiety terpene, and if someone’s looking for something to take the edge off, this is it.
It’s also found in lavender (obviously), mint, cinnamon, and coriander, making it a common presence in essential oils and relaxation teas.
Speak the Strain:
Amnesia Haze: A high-energy sativa balanced by Linalool’s calming touch.
Lavender: Exactly what it says on the tin, deeply relaxing and floral.
LA Confidential: Soothing, relaxing, with a floral lift that rounds off the experience.
Terpinolene: The Wild Card
Finally, we’ve got Terpinolene, a bit of a wildcard in the terpene world. It’s complex—herbal, floral, and fruity all at once—and it brings uplifting, antioxidant, and even potentially anti-cancer properties to the table. For the budtenders, this is the terpene to recommend when someone wants to feel awake, alert, but balanced.
You’ll find it in apples, nutmeg, tea tree, and conifers, which explains the sweet and slightly woody flavor profile.
Speak the Strain:
Jack Herer: Yes, again. The clarity and uplift of Terpinolene are what make this strain perfect for creativity and focus.
Ghost Train Haze: Cerebral and intense, not for the faint of heart, but Terpinolene brings a unique burst of energy.
Dutch Treat: For a balanced experience—calming yet uplifting at the same time.
Wrapping It Up
Terpenes are more than just smells and flavors—they’re the keys to unlocking the true potential of cannabis. Whether someone is looking to relax, feel uplifted, get rid of stress, or just find some relief from pain, understanding terpenes like Myrcene, Pinene, Humulene, and Linalool will help you guide them to the right strain. It’s like being a chef with the perfect recipe, and the right terpenes are your ingredients.
Myrcene
Aroma: Earthy, musky, herbal.
Effects: Sedative, relaxing, calming. Often found in higher concentrations in indica strains, contributing to the "couch-lock" effect.
Other Plants/Foods: Myrcene is also found in hops, thyme, mangoes, and lemongrass.
Flavors: Sweet, earthy, herbal, sometimes fruity.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Blue Dream: A sativa-dominant hybrid known for its relaxing and balancing effects.
Granddaddy Purple: Known for its deep relaxation and sedative effects.
OG Kush: A balanced strain famous for its calming, euphoric effects.
Limonene
Aroma: Citrusy, lemon.
Effects: Uplifting, mood-enhancing, anti-anxiety, stress relief.
Other Plants/Foods: Limonene is found in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, as well as in juniper.
Flavors: Bright, citrusy, tangy.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Super Lemon Haze: A sativa-dominant hybrid with a zesty lemon flavor and uplifting effects.
Lemon Skunk: Known for its refreshing lemon aroma and stress-relief effects.
OG Kush: Often rich in limonene, contributing to its uplifting and mood-enhancing qualities.
Caryophyllene
Aroma: Peppery, spicy, woody.
Effects: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and potentially helps with anxiety. Uniquely binds to CB2 receptors, which are associated with the immune system.
Other Plants/Foods: Black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and hops.
Flavors: Spicy, peppery, and sometimes woody or herbal.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
GSC (Girl Scout Cookies): Known for its relaxing and stress-relieving effects.
Bubba Kush: Famous for its soothing, sedative effects.
Chemdawg: A potent hybrid known for its strong effects and pungent aroma.
Pinene
Aroma: Pine, woody.
Effects: Alertness, memory retention, anti-inflammatory properties. It can counteract the memory loss effects of THC.
Other Plants/Foods: Pine needles, rosemary, basil, parsley, and dill contain pinene.
Flavors: Sharp, pine-like, refreshing.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Jack Herer: A sativa strain known for its clear-headed and creative effects.
Blue Dream: High in pinene, contributing to its smooth, relaxing high.
Trainwreck: Known for a potent cerebral high.
Humulene
Aroma: Earthy, woody, spicy.
Effects: Appetite suppressant, anti-inflammatory, potentially helps with allergies.
Other Plants/Foods: Found in hops (used in beer), cloves, basil, and coriander.
Flavors: Earthy, woody, sometimes spicy.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Girl Scout Cookies: A hybrid strain known for both uplifting and relaxing effects.
Sour Diesel: Popular for its energizing effects and pungent aroma.
White Widow: Known for its balanced and euphoric effects.
Linalool
Aroma: Floral, lavender.
Effects: Calming, relaxing, anti-anxiety, antidepressant.
Other Plants/Foods: Found in lavender, mint, cinnamon, and coriander.
Flavors: Floral, slightly spicy, and lavender-like.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Amnesia Haze: A sativa-dominant hybrid with a powerful cerebral high.
Lavender: Known for its deeply calming effects and rich floral aroma.
LA Confidential: Famous for its soothing and stress-relieving properties.
Terpinolene
Aroma: Herbal, floral, fruity.
Effects: Uplifting, antioxidant, potentially anti-cancer properties.
Other Plants/Foods: Found in apples, nutmeg, tea tree, and conifers.
Flavors: Sweet, floral, sometimes citrusy or piney.
Popular Cannabis Strains:
Jack Herer: Known for its stimulating and creative effects.
Ghost Train Haze: A potent sativa known for its intense cerebral high.
Dutch Treat: A popular strain for its balanced relaxation and upliftment.