Cannabis has always had an unmistakable smell, but in recent years, a wider variety of scents have emerged that also impact medical cannabis. Here, we are taking a closer look at what smell you can expect:
Why Does Cannabis Have Such A Strong Smell?
Cannabis has always been known for its distinct smell, which some describe as “gassy”. Although this has historically been the case, the growth of the industry in recent years in response to changing laws and uses has led to the development of new strains and more unique, aromatic scent profiles; berry, cherry, spearmint, tropical, peach, garlic, cake, and hundreds more now exist.
When it comes to medical cannabis, scents are often more practical. While they may not be as adventurous, they’re certainly more advanced than the traditional cannabis smell. Just like the taste, scents are all down to terpenes.
Terpenes are plant compounds that give different types of cannabis their unique characteristics, including their smell. With around 200 terpenes having been identified in cannabis, there are endless combinations of scents, and the exact scent will depend on factors like the type of medical cannabis, the dose, and the method of administration. In recent years, the smell of cannabis has also been attributed at least in part to a sulphur compound which contributes to its signature skunky smell.
Some of the most notable terpene smells associated with cannabis are:
- Myrcene – A natural, earthy, sometimes spicy scent common in indica cannabis strains
- Limonene – A sharp, citrusy, zesty scent common in sativa cannabis strains
- Linalool – A floral scent that’s often said to resemble lavender
- Pinene – A piney scent that comes from its extraction methods
- Caryophyllene – A spicy, peppery scent with clove or cinnamon notes
How Do Strain Genetics Affect Smell?
While different terpenes and volatile sulphurous compounds affect the scent of medical cannabis, so do the different strains. For example, sativa strains are thought to have a sweet or spicy scent, while indica strains are more pungent and bitter.
Diving deeper still, specific strains have their own unique scents. For example, a strain called OG Kush contains the terpenes β-Myrcene and β-Caryophyllene, which produce a gasoline-like smell.
Specific scents like this can be found in many different types of cannabis. One 2024 study asked 63 women and 56 men about the flavours and scents of various strains, and were able to group 107 different descriptors into 10 categories:
- Fruit
- Berry/dried fruit
- Savoury
- Floral
- Spices
- Spicy
- Potent
- Smoke
- Roasted
- Confectionery
Does Smell Indicate Quality Or Freshness?
Notably, the strength or weakness of smell in different strains of cannabis doesn’t correspond to THC content or effectiveness. A poor smell, however, could indicate a lack of freshness.
Cannabis that’s been stored incorrectly or for a long time will often smell different than it once did. It could also develop mould, and lose its effectiveness. Research suggests 16.6% of the THC content in cannabis is lost after 1 year, and continues to drop over time. By 4 years, up to 41.4% of the THC content could be lost.
Your prescribing doctor will indicate the lifespan of your medical cannabis so you can avoid this, but to ensure freshness, always store it in an airtight container with a humidity pack in a cool, dark environment.
How Do I Control Cannabis Odour For Discretion?
Containing the smell may be of particular concern to you, for example, if you are travelling away from home. There are a few ways you can do this:
- Keep medical cannabis in an odour-proof bag
- Invest in an air purifier at home to diminish the smell
- Open windows regularly to ventilate
- Use scented candles to neutralise the smell
- Air clothes outside where possible
- Use deodorisers like activated charcoal
- If relevant, set your vape to a lower temperature as this can help to reduce the smell by preserving the terpenes – vaporisation is usually effective between 160°C and 230°C, so setting yours on the lower end of this scale could help
At Emerald, we make it simple for people managing chronic conditions to access medical cannabis under the expert-led care of qualified clinicians. Our safe, legal treatments are of the very best quality and the greatest value, so if you have questions about the smell you are likely to experience when taking medical cannabis, Emerald can help.