As I venture into my new venue, the legal cannabis industry, I realize that there is so much that I don't know about cannabis and how it really works. So, as I learn new facts that I think that you might find interesting, I'll blog about them. This blog is all about the "terps" or also known as terpenes/terpenoids.

There's something about the aroma of cannabis that just soothes the mind, body and soul. Whether it's the sweet fruity taste of Pineapple Trainwreck of that skunky smell of Sour Diesel, it really all about the terpenes! Terpenes are the unsung hero of the cannabis plant. While most people know about THC and CBD, terpenes are the compounds that actually give the flower its unique aromas and taste. Terpenes are by no means unique to cannabis. They can also be found in many other herbs, fruits and plants as well. They are the reason why Durban Poison smells like a fresh squeezed lemon or why Peaches and Diesel smells like a juicy peach that has been dipped in gasoline (MedicalJane.com).

However, terpenes just don’t determine the taste and smell of your favorite bud, they actually help modulate the medicinal effects of cannabinoids. In addition to defining everything about the smell and flavor of a particular strain, terpenes also contribute to the strain's euphoric effects and medicinal benefits. This happens when they combine with other cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD. This synergistic relationship has been called the“Entourage Effect”, For instance, the terpene aromas such as lemon and citrus have been shown to have medicinal properties which increase mood and attitude, while piney aromas promote mental clarity and memory retention.

As I begin to learn more about the wonder plant cannabis, I'm finding that it is so much more than just THC! Now that we know all about the power of terps, we can break free of limiting ourselves to the high THC strains and begin to focus on its terpenes. Knowledge and terpenes are very powerful things to waste! Go ahead and use this knowledge to get wasted!