Why does cannabis smell?

Why does cannabis smell?

One of the biggest reasons people complain about cannabis is because of the smell.  I’m sure you’re aware that cannabis flowers have a distinctive pungent aroma which many people find delicious, but for others it is revolting.  But why does cannabis smell so distinctively?  What causes the odour? And is there anything that we can do to try and minimize it?

Cannabis’ pungent aroma is caused by chemical compounds known as Terpenes.  The main one associated with the distinctive smell of cannabis is a monoterpene called Myrcene.  It’s a colourless oil used commonly in essential oils.  Terpenes are psychoactive but aren’t associated with the high obtained from consuming cannabis.  Instead they produce relaxing and pain relieving effects.

What makes cannabis smell?

The distinctive scent of cannabis is caused by a group of chemical compounds known as terpenes, specifically one called Myrcene.  Terpenes play an important part in creating the aroma and taste of different cannabis strains.

They are the same chemical compounds which also create the smells in other herbs and plants, like Sage, Thyme, vegetables, citrus fruits etc.  So, it’s not something which is found exclusively in plants in the cannabis family.

Terpenes were discovered in the 19^th century by a Nobel prize winning German chemist called Otto Wallach.  He identified the structure of many terpenes, and also recorded their structure as being composed of two or more carbon units.  Wallach’s work became important within the chemical industry, where they use essential oils in the creation of perfumes and food.

It’s thought that terpenes occur naturally in plants to help protect them from colder harsher weather and to perhaps deter predators.

Does the smell alter the strength of the weed?

This isn’t an easy question to answer.  It’s not only the levels of THC in the bud which affects the high it gives you.  Research has shown that it also depends on the terpene profile as well.

Although THC is the main compound found in cannabis which creates the high, it’s been found that the terpenes also play an important role in the secondary effects of cannabis.  Effects like sleepiness, energy, focus, appetite etc. have all been shown to be the result of terpenes as well as other associated compounds like THC and CBD.

A good example of this is the Zkittles strain.

However, I will point out that terpenes do decay with age.  If you find that your usual stinky strain is lacking in smell, then it’s possible that it is old weed and that the terpenes have evaporated with time.

Zkittles is a relatively low THC strain, but has an amazing fruity flavour and an undeniable high.  It won first place for best Indica strain at both 2015 Cannabis Cups in Michigan and San Fransico.

Although it should be possible to create a strain with a great high, and a minimal smell.  Such a strain would not really appeal to the majority of cannabis smokers who enjoy the rich dank smells and flavours associated with potent cannabis.

There are several strains which naturally are less smelly when growing, but when the flower is burned they still create the pungent smell associated with burning cannabis.

How can I reduce the smell of my cannabis?

Smoking Cannabis

The best suggestion for indoor smoking would be to get an activated carbon filter.  This is the kind of thing you’d find in a cannabis grow. Where a fan forces the air through an active carbon filter which removes virtually all of the smell.

You can also get portable filters, or Sploofs, which you blow the smoke through once you have inhaled it.  These are available at local head shops and from Amazon.  Although these help with some of the smell, and work well if you use a one hitter or a pipe. They don’t do so well with joints, which have smoke escaping from the end the whole time they are alight.

It’s fairly easy to build your own sploof using a toilet roll tube, some kitchen roll and drier sheets.

Febreze or other similar air fresheners are often used to help remove the unwanted smells. Although depending on the brand, some work better than others.  The overpowering smell of air freshener can be as much of a give away that you were up to something.

Edibles are much less smelly than joints are when you consume them, but the process of creating edibles can create much worse smells than smoking does, and for much longer.

Vapes, particularly dry herb vapes, also smell a lot less than smoking a joint does, but some people don’t always find vapes to be as effective as smoking or eating edibles.

Growing Cannabis

It’s not just when we smoke cannabis that the smell becomes problematic.  Cannabis plants can smell just as potent as the smoke does.  The constant smell of cannabis is one of the indicators authorities tend to look for when searching for illegal cannabis grows.

An activated carbon filter is usually the best option if you are growing cannabis inside a building.

If you are growing it outdoors, then you can try and mask the smell by growing other plants with similar smells.  For example Lavender, Lemongrass, Rosemary and Mint all produce a similar smell.

Conclusion

There we have it.  The rich, dank smells which are associated with cannabis are created by chemical compounds called terpenes.  These compounds are psychoactive and are an essential part of cannabis with regards to how the high affects people.

Although there is little you can do to stop people complaining about the smell of cannabis, you can take precautions to minimise this happening.

Be considerate, if you have neighbours who complain about the smell, try and smoke when they are not home, or do so as far from their boundary as you can.  If it’s the people you live with, then use a filter to remove the smell.

A vape or edibles are also worthwhile suggestions to try.  I have a Blk Mamba dry herb vape which I use when I am out and about or find myself in a place where I wouldn’t ordinarily be able to smoke.  (Read more about that >here<)

If you are growing indoors, then I would consider the filtration system to be just as vital as the lighting.

Please, feel free to get in touch with the team if you have any stories relating to cannabis and its smell.