Cannabis Terpene Profiling
There’s way more to cannabis than just THC and CBD. The primary compounds found in cannabis that provide the health benefits and effects experienced by consumers are terpenes and cannabinoids. Terpenes, which give cannabis its aroma and flavor, are a major part of the cannabis experience, profoundly influencing how consumers feel after inhaling, ingesting, or applying cannabis topicals. By profiling the terpenes found in a given cannabis product, in combination with the cannabinoid profile, customers can better gauge the experience they will have with the cannabis product after consuming it.
Exploring what terpenes are and what they do
Terpenes are organic compounds that determine aroma and flavor in a wide variety of plants and foods, including cannabis. Each terpene is associated with its own smells, tastes, and influence on the body; for example, the terpene beta-caryophyllene smells and tastes like black pepper, while the terpene pinene smells like pine trees.
Upwards of an estimated 200 terpenes have been found in cannabis; around 20,000 terpenes have been identified in nature. A few of these terpenes are prevalent in cannabis, found in high concentrations in cannabis plants and many strains (also known as cultivars).
Not only do terpenes determine how things smell, but they can intensify or downplay the effects of phytocannabinoids - something known as the cannabis "entourage effect." Terpenes are known to have their own health effects, with researchers examining the role that terpenes play in pain relief, sleep, anxiety, and many other conditions. However, their impact on the body can differ depending on the combination of terpenes prevalent in the strain, as well as in which ratios they are found.
Unfortunately, however, cannabis terpenes are a notoriously unstable compound. Because they have a much lower boiling point than their phytocannabinoid counterparts, terpenes are much more sensitive to temperature, and terpenes begin to volatilize the moment cannabis is harvested. This can result in a diminished terpene profile once a consumer takes home the cannabis product, particularly if the cannabis is not stored properly.
Some of the most common cannabis terpenes include:
Myrcene: This terpene is one of the most common found in cannabis. This pepper-y terpene is being explored for its potential to help with pain and promote sleep. Myrcene is found in high levels in strains like OG Kush.
Linalool: This floral terpene is heavily associated with relaxation (think lavender). It’s common in strains like Grandaddy Purp.
Limonene: Bright and citrus-y, limonene is associated with energizing effects. Do-Si-Dos is a strain high in limonene.
Why is cannabis terpene profiling important?
Terpenes give each strain their own unique “thumbprint.” With more than 800 strains (and growing) available in legal markets in New Jersey and across the U.S., cultivators put a lot of effort into standing apart. Terpenes play a significant role in differentiating one strain from the next.
It helps consumers choose the right cultivar. Terpenes can have beneficial properties, from anti-anxiety properties to relaxation. If your customer is seeking a certain intended effect from cannabis consumption, the right terpene profile can help them select the right product.
Terpene profiles play a role in product consistency. Regularly reproducing the same terpene profile for a particular cannabis strain is the key to product consistency.
Does New Jersey require terpene profiling?
New Jersey has not traditionally required medical marijuana licensees (also known as alternative treatment centers, or ATCs) to test and profile cannabis samples for terpenes. However, the interim testing standards adopted by New Jersey follow the Maryland Cannabis Commission testing regulations, which do require terpene profiling on all cannabis products. Considering the important role terpenes play in quality assurance, product consistency, and patient and consumer experience, it is important for cultivators and processors to obtain terpene profiles and make them readily available for their customers.
Our goal is to ensure that our clients are offering the safest and cleanest possible cannabis to their patients and customers, and by offering advanced services and techniques, you can be well on your way to building consumer trust and a strong reputation for safety and quality in the competitive cannabis industry. Contact True Labs for Cannabis now to learn more about how our analytical laboratory can help your cannabis products reach new heights in the Garden State.