Shore House Canna has partnered with Miss Grass to share educational content from their helpful library of blog posts. This article was originally written by the internationally recognized cannabis expert and Miss Grass’ Chief Science Officer, Dr. Amanda Reiman.
Terpenes do much more than contribute to the aroma and flavor of your favorite cannabis strains. It turns out that these compounds work with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to determine how a particular strain impacts a particular body. Now that terpenes are all the rage, though, we’ve seen a significant rise in synthetics and brands adding terps to their tinctures, oils, ointments, beverages, and edibles. There are even companies, like Altria (the tobacco giant behind Marlboro), trying to capitalize on the step change by creating designer strains with specific terpene concentrations.
If we’ve learned anything from the problems of processed foods and synthetic chemicals in the products we consume, it’s that being conscious of what we put into our bodies matters.
But unlike mindful food consumption with standardized labels, pages of reviews, and easily researched products, there remain a number of unanswered and under-researched questions on cannabis additives and how they may or may not impact our health.
Here’s what we know *so far* on the difference between synthetic and botanical (natural) terpenes, and what you should look for when choosing a product based on terpenes.
Synthetic terpenes are made in a lab using chemical manipulation to create “theoretically perfect” terpenes. Like other food additives, synthetic terpenes may be “food grade,” but they do not come from a plant.
In food terms, these are the GMOs, or more simply, the juice concentrates—full of flavor, lacking the same nutritional value, and created using a blend of artificial and natural ingredients. If you’ve ever had lemon flavored candy and thought, what in the fake lemon flavor is this? You can see the limitations of imitations.
Botanical terpenes are naturally produced by plants to repel predators or seduce pollinators. You’ve probably encountered these aromatics in a body lotion with lavender’s calming linalool, or if you’ve ever walked through a pine forest (that’s pinene). Think of them as organic whole foods. Botanical terpenes extracted from plants other than cannabis can be found in topicals, so if you have an allergy to certain essential oils, be sure to check the ingredients.
Cannabis-derived terps also fall in the botanical bucket. Really, they’re the same, and there’s no difference from the myrcene you’d find in mangos and the myrcene you find in cannabis. In analogous terms, consider these the cold pressed juices of the world that preserve terpene content by flash-freezing buds right at harvest. Like cold pressed juices they retain more beneficial compounds, but are also less common because of the costly methods to extract them (it takes a lot of good, hard grown bud to make a little bit).
So if terpenes are naturally occurring, why would anyone go through the effort and costs to design their own?
Cannabis capitalism. Tobacco behemoth Altria recently began making moves to patent designer strains with specific terpene concentrations that offer specialized flavor and aroma profiles. They hope these strains will create consistent nuanced entourage effects and associated therapeutic benefits that would make any marketing department giddy with glee.
The net net?
Proceed with caution, especially with consuming synthetic terpenes which are often found in vape cartridges and products that use distillate or isolate.
While synthetic terpenes may end up being entirely safe, just like GMO foods there is always a risk of health effects from synthetics and their chemical residues left behind. Unlike GMO foods, there’s currently no research on cannabis additives, and it’s still unknown how well synthetic and natural terpenes interact together and with the body.
The technology is also still under development and many of the professionals behind it don’t yet fully understand botanical and synthetic terpenes. Until we have more answers, you should look for terpenes derived from other plants and products labeled as “whole plant,” which tells you that the content of the product is as close to the original cannabis plant as possible.
When in doubt, ask your Shore House Canna budtender.
Someday, cannabis will follow food, and there will come a point when brands are required to be more transparent and list all ingredients. Until then, it falls in our hands to set the standard and demand high-quality, safe, transparent, and effective products with our dollars.
Images and article courtesy of Miss Grass.
Miss Grass Pre-Rolls are 100% premium flower and contain 100% botanical, all-natural terpenes made for Fast Times, Quiet Times, and All Times. Shore House Canna proudly carries a selection of Miss Grass products that cater to different vibes, thanks to the unique blend of terpenes in each strain. Here’s how each one stands out:
Fast Times (Bloom + Play)
If you’re looking for a burst of energy and creativity, this sativa-dominant strain is your go-to. Its key terpenes—limonene, humulene, pinene, and caryophyllene—create a dynamic blend of effects. Limonene brings a bright, mood-lifting boost, while pinene enhances focus and mental clarity. Caryophyllene’s stress-relieving properties keep tension at bay, and humulene offers a grounding touch to prevent overstimulation. At SHC, we’ve got the 5-pack of mini pre-rolls, a single 1 g pre-roll, or a generous eighth, so you can keep the good vibes rolling with just the right balance.
Quiet Times (Anchor + Restore):
For those moments when you need to unwind and hit reset, Quiet Times has you covered. This indica-dominant strain features bisabolol, caryophyllene, linalool, and myrcene—a terpene blend crafted for ultimate relaxation. Bisabolol, with its light floral and chamomile-like aroma, adds soothing, anti-stress benefits. Linalool deepens the calm with its tranquil floral notes, while myrcene promotes a full-body sense of relaxation. Caryophyllene ties it all together, easing tension to help you truly unwind. Stop by SHC to pick up a 5-pack of mini pre-rolls or a single 1 g pre-roll.
All Times (Harmony + Flow):
When you’re seeking balance, All Times is the hybrid strain that gives you the best of both worlds. With a terpene blend of caryophyllene, myrcene, pinene, and humulene, it offers a smooth combination of relaxation and focus. Caryophyllene helps ease tension, while myrcene promotes gentle calm. Pinene keeps your mind sharp and clear, and humulene adds a subtle grounding effect. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon or ease into the evening while this hybrid keeps you grounded and content. Available at SHC in mini pre-roll packs, a single 1 g pre-roll, or a generous eighth—your go-to for any time you need a little balance.
