As the vast scientific possibilities of cannabis rapidly become more researched, so too does the studying and research behind the fascinating components that are terpenes. These botanical compounds are the building blocks that give cannabis buds their characteristics—everything from the aromas of the bud to the physical appearance to the various feelings and sensations that cannabis strains can provide.
Myrcene gives indica strains their relaxing and “couchlock” feelings, while terpinolene and limonene, for instance, give sativa strains the boost in energy and creativity that they’re commonly known for. Pinene can exude a very forest-like aroma while caryophyllene exudes a pepper-like smell. Truly, the study of terpenes is a marvelous new field of botanical sciences. And a few very innovative companies are not only researching but also creating these unique compounds.
“Terpenes are the aromatic soul of cannabis,” says True Terpenes CEO Daniel Cook. “They’re what give each strain its signature scent and flavor—from citrusy bursts to deep, earthy notes.”
Since 2016, True Terpenes has been at the forefront of terpene science and production. Prior to creating the company, Founder Chris Campagna ran a medical cannabis clinic in Oregon and personally witnessed how drastically inconsistent the terpene profiles in cannabis products could be. Additionally, Campagna observed how many terpenes are destroyed during common extraction methods.
Shawna Vreeke, PhD, DABT, True Terpenes’ Director of Toxicology.
The removal of those crucial terpenes could be very problematic, especially as most states have some form of a medical cannabis program and people from all types of societal demographics have become medical cannabis patients. For instance, if a patient relied on a myrcene-heavy indica to alleviate sleeping issues or anxiety, the destruction of that myrcene could lessen the potency of their medicine. If a patient were using a pinene-dominant strain for muscle pain, the deletion of that terpene could possibly worsen that patient’s pain.
From reading the vast research on the entourage effect of cannabinoids by neurologist Dr. Ethan Russo, Campagna realized the true essential nature of terpenes and how vitally useful they could be for cannabis cultivators and consumers alike.
“That insight led to the creation of True Terpenes, a company dedicated to supplying high-quality, consistent terpene blends to product innovators,” Cook says. “By rebuilding terpene profiles, brands could craft reliable, effective products that honored the complete cannabis experience—not just its THC content.”
There’s a multitude of reasons why terpene solutions such as True Terpenes’ blends have greatly increased in popularity. First, there’s the rapid expansion of the US cannabis industry itself to thank. Despite only being recreationally legal in 24 states, the country’s cannabis industry surpassed $30 bi
