New Products Spotlight
Myrcene
Beta-Caryophyllene
The Fabled Terpene Treasure
Should Patients Ask Budtenders Terpene Questions ? by Sean Keast , contributing budtender
Neon pink seems to go pretty well with green , as I discovered pulling into Shangri-La in my old Subaru . I thought my trip to the fabled misty valley would be more arduous , as treasure hunters of old had described . In reality , this Shangri-La is actually just a jump over to the other side of Columbia , MO . After I pulled into the dispensary , I checked in , chatted with the staff , and admired the scenery . I asked my budtender if I could see an eighth ( 3.5 grams ) of Ghost OG from Illicit Gardens and took a moment to marvel at the flower . On the side of the jar , I noticed a small label that contained a small profile , with percentages for the three top terpenes , giving it a distinctly skunky but spicy citrus aroma . Myrcene , Limonene , and Beta-Caryophyllene cause these smells — they are terpenes .
As of late , the word “ Terpenes ” has embedded itself very thoroughly into the hearts and minds of cannabis patients , especially here in Missouri . Without a doubt , they are an important conversation to have when it comes to cannabis and one of its most complicated topics . Terpenes are basically chemicals that produce various smells and effects in plants , and cannabis is packed to the brim with them . They not only give each strain different scents and flavors , but they also produce the different effects that each strain offers .
Major Terpenes and Their Common Effects
Myrcene – The most common terpene in cannabis and the most prevalent in a large majority of strains , it has a rich aroma of earthy and skunky tones , and it produces a sedating , relaxing , and calming effect .
Limonene – Smelling the most strongly of citrus , Limonene has shown potential in uplifting and elevating mood and producing a euphoric feeling in the mind and body .
Beta-Caryophyllene – A peppery , spicy terpene , Beta-Caryophyllene is most prized for its anti-pain and anti-inflammatory properties , as well as producing a warming effect throughout the body .
Linalool – Characterized by a very strong lavender floral smell , Linalool has been shown to heavily relax the mind and body , aiding in anti-anxiety as well as sedation .
In the case of Ghost OG , its particular blend of terpenes causes a sedating , euphoric , and uplifting effect that can dash away pain . Through something called “ The Entourage Effect ,” terpenes interact with the THCa in cannabis to produce these differences in properties .
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All though a bit hard to read here , the terpene profile label is listed on the back label of the Illicit Strain of Ghost OG .
Diamonds : Sour Diesel by Proper Cannabis .
Tinctures : Goodnight Grape by Vivid , and Amend by Phytos .
Brandon E , a budtender at Shangri-La , commented on Beta- Caryophyllene , another important terpene . “ With our patient demographics , we are seeing a lot of middle-aged patients dealing with pain , and since that [ Beta- Caryophyllene ] deals primarily with inflammation and pain , I feel like that ’ s the one people really want to look for ,” he said .
With the products available in the Missouri market , manufacturers and growers have been heightening their focus on terpenes . Many of these products take the form of concentrates due to the refined processes needed to extract terpenes from the flower .
One of the finest examples is “ Diamonds in Sauce ,” a beautiful , high-tech method of concentrate production that harnesses a special terp sauce to cover almost pure THCa crystals . Due to its purity , its terpene flavor , when inhaled , is nearly unmatched .
Another product that goes a long way for medical patients are Tinctures . Available in Missouri only recently , tinctures are concentrated THC , CBD , terpene , and other cannabinoid oils that can be applied sublingually ( under the tongue ). Tinctures provide a heightened effect like edibles , hitting deep into your tissues to provide a heavy body-centered feeling . With some products adding CBD and other cannabinoids , tinctures can be extremely versatile for any medical patient .