Reading Terpene Profiles

Understanding Lab Results

Many cannabis products now include terpene profiles on their labels or certificates of analysis (COAs). Learning to read these helps you make better purchasing decisions.

What the Numbers Mean

Terpene percentages typically range from 0.1% to 3%+ of the flower's total weight. A "terpene-rich" strain might have 2-5% total terpenes. Here's a general guide:

• Dominant terpene: The highest percentage, typically 0.5-2%+
• Secondary terpenes: Supporting terpenes at 0.1-0.5%
• Trace terpenes: Present at less than 0.1%

Building Your Preference Profile

Start paying attention to which terpenes are dominant in products you enjoy:

• Love relaxing indicas? You probably gravitate toward myrcene and linalool
• Prefer energizing sativas? Look for limonene and pinene
• Seeking pain relief? Caryophyllene and myrcene may be your friends

The Entourage in Practice

A strain with 20% THC and high myrcene will feel very different from one with 20% THC and high limonene. The THC level alone doesn't tell the whole story. Terpenes are the missing piece of the puzzle.

Tips for Shopping

1. 1.Ask your budtender about terpene profiles, not just THC percentage
2. 2.Check for COAs (certificates of analysis) that include terpene testing
3. 3.Keep a journal noting which terpene profiles you enjoyed
4. 4.Use BudWiz's cultivar database to explore terpene data before you buy