As cannabis consumers become more educated, budtenders play a vital role in the cannabs ecosystem in guiding consumer choices. It’s the responsibility of these industry professionals to educate consumers about the significance of terpenes. By sharing knowledge about terpene profiles and their effects, budtenders can help customers make informed decisions that align with their desired experiences.
In the world of cannabis, there’s a growing realization that it’s not just about the potency of THC, the psychoactive molecule in the cannabis plant. It’s about the incredible influence of terpenes. These aromatic compounds are responsible for the unique flavors and scents found in different cannabis strains. But did you know that they also play a significant role in delivering the desired effects? It’s time to dive into the fascinating realm of terpenes and discover the science-backed benefits they offer.
When people seek out cannabis, they often have specific effects in mind. Interestingly, it’s not the THC alone that drives those effects; it’s the terpenes. Scientific research1 has shown that terpene profiles are key to delivering the desired experiences that consumers are looking for. This means that understanding and harnessing the power of terpenes is crucial for both consumers and budtenders.
Source: Selected cannabis terpenes synergize with THC to produce increased CB1 receptor activation, Biochemical Pharmacology, Volume 212, 2023.
There’s another fascinating aspect to terpene-focused cannabis products: tax implications. In the New York adult-use market, cannabis products with lower THC content are subject to lower tax rates. By intentionally selecting terpene profiles that deliver desired effects, it’s possible to sell products with lower THC while maintaining desired effects. This offers a win-win situation for both businesses and customers by providing a higher potency experience at a lower cost.
Another unique opportunity lends itself to hundreds of small outdoor farmers across the state. By prioritizing terpene expressions, cannabis producers can craft products that deliver the desired effects, with lower THC content, without compromising the desired effects from consumption. A prime example for this is in the wine industry, where flavor profiles outweigh the percentage of alcohol. Sommeliers sample and describe terroir, the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate. As a result, consumers purchase wine by regional flavor profiles ie: Napa valley, Hudson Valley, Champagne, France.
Cannabis, like wine, also expresses unique regional flavor profiles when cultivated outdoors with living soil. The most unique aromatic expressions of the land transcends through cannabis flavor profile. This approach allows for the sale of cannabis products with lower THC, and thus lower THC tax implications while still providing an exceptional and unique regional and seasonal experience. The intentional use of terpene profiles ensures that consumers can enjoy the potency they seek without compromising on quality or cost. Imagine a vast selection of regional flavors that extend from the lower hudson valley to the finger lake regions. Terpenes lead the way.
In the pursuit of supporting cultivators and retailers alike, its paramount that the sales force has access to science-based knowledge, CWI is thrilled to announce the launch of Terpology. Terpology courses are offered live, in the communities across the state, as an extension to our “Cannabis Plant Science” course or “Working in a Dispensary” course. This exciting initiative aims to educate and empower both consumers and budtenders about the profound impact of terpenes, with an aim to highlight specialty outdoor crops.
Are you ready to embrace the terpene revolution? Follow the hashtag #TerpTalk on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, and join a live terpology class. Together, we can unravel the secrets of terpenes, elevate the cannabis experience, and empower everyone to make informed choices.
Sources:
1 Noa Raz, Aharon M. Eyal, Dana Berneman Zeitouni, Danielle Hen-Shoval, Elyad M. Davidson, Aviel Danieli, Merav Tauber, Yair Ben-Chaim,
Selected cannabis terpenes synergize with THC to produce increased CB1 receptor activation,
Biochemical Pharmacology,
Volume 212,
2023,
115548,
ISSN 0006-2952,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115548.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006295223001399)
