Budtender Training: What are Terpenes and What Do They Do?
May 21, 2024
Terpenes are the unsung heroes of cannabis. These botanical components define the user’s experience, arguably more so than THC percentage. Many users still shop purely based on THC, and some legal cannabis markets don’t even post terpene information, indicating there is a huge learning opportunity for the entire market. For most shoppers, their local budtender becomes their main educator when it comes to cannabis. Empowering budtenders to be able to talk terpenes results in better, long-term customers. Today, we have a solid starting point to help your team train up on terpene basics so you can train your team on cannabis all the way from seed to sale.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are botanical components found in cannabis and in plants. For example, lavender contains linalool, the compound that gives lavender its signature smell and perceived benefits. Fruits like mangoes contain myrcene, while lemons contain limonene, which drive the distinctive smells of these fruits. Terpenes occur naturally and are not inherently harmful when ingested, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. In addition to the scent or flavor profiles terpenes add to cannabis, they can also drive physical reactions. While every body processes terpenes differently, there are common effects that terpenes can have when ingested. Terpenes like linalool not only make the flower smell like lavender, but can also translate some of the calming effects from lavender to cannabis. Strains like lavender haze are often high in linalool and commonly have calming qualities or are marketed as indica strains. On the other end of the energizing spectrum, pinene is a terpene often found in pine trees. It can make cannabis smell fresh and remind users of the forest, and can often be super energizing and inspiring for users.
What terpenes are found in cannabis?
Many terpenes are found in cannabis. As we discussed, there is a wide range of floral, fruity, and forest-y terpenes often found in cannabis. Some of the most common terpenes in popular strains are:
- Myrcene- Also found in mangoes, can be fruity and incite calming effects
- Limonene- Also found in lemons, can be zesty and lemony fresh and drive anti-anxiety effects
- Caryophyllene- Also found in cloves or pepper, it smells a little spicy and can even make some users sneeze. It can be energizing and help users unlock creativity.
- Pinene- Also found in pine trees, it smells like pine trees. It can be energizing and support focus.
- Terpinolene- Also found in citrus fruits, it can smell gassy and be relaxing for the end user.
- Linalool- Also found in lavender, it smells floral like lavender and can incite calming effects or support better sleep .
There are many more terpenes outside of these, but these will be the ones that most commonly appear in higher quantities in cannabis.
Do terpenes affect everyone the same?
Not at all- terpenes generally have a common impact on the user, but there will always be some outliers. For example, pinene may cause nausea in some users but not others. Some terpenes may cause headaches in some users but not others. Terpene impact is ultimately a matter of trial and error for the end user.
How can budtenders bring up terpenes?
The best way to open up the conversation around terpenes is to simply ask the shopper what kind of experience they are looking for. Some people looking for medical cannabis products may have specific needs for their cannabis use, such as pain relief or sleep support. Some people may be looking for cannabis to enhance an activity, like painting or working out. Pairing a use case with a terpene profile empowers the user to understand how cannabis can work for them and continues to build the relationship between the customer and the dispensary. Educating customers is a key component of a cannabis operating plan, especially for the store’s longevity. Building meaningful relationships with budtender education for guests builds brand value.
For more industry insights and future budtender training, stay tuned to the Alleaves blog.
