Gas, Loud, Terpy: Translating Cannabis Aroma

Cannabis aroma has both technical words and street words.

Terpenes are part of the technical side.

Gas, loud, skunky, fruity and terpy are part of the everyday side.

They can describe the same product from different angles.

Terpenes

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in many plants, including cannabis.

They contribute to smell and flavour.

Different products can contain different terpene profiles.

If exact terpene information matters, use information actually provided for the product.

Do not guess a terpene profile from a cultivar name.

Gas

Gas usually describes a fuel-like, diesel-like or sharp pungent aroma.

Some adults use it more broadly for any strong Weed smell.

It is an aroma description.

It is not an official quality grade.

Loud

Loud usually means the aroma is pronounced.

It does not tell you the exact aroma family.

A loud product can be gassy, fruity, skunky, floral or earthy.

Terpy

Terpy is slang suggesting a noticeable aroma or flavour profile associated with terpenes.

It does not identify exact terpene content unless that information is actually provided.

It also should not be used as a guaranteed-effect claim.

Common Aroma Language

Citrus Lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit-like impressions.

Fruity Berry, grape, tropical and other fruit-like impressions.

Skunky A sharp, pungent cannabis descriptor.

Earthy Soil-like, woody, herbal or musky impressions.

Pine Forest-like, resinous or needle-like notes.

Sweet / Creamy Dessert-like or softer aromatic impressions.

These are descriptions, not effect guarantees.

Aroma Can Change

Drying, curing, packaging, storage temperature, air and time can influence volatile aromatic compounds.

That is why two products with the same familiar cultivar name may not smell identical.

Strong Smell Does Not Equal High THC

A very aromatic flower does not automatically have the highest THC.

A high-THC flower does not automatically have the strongest aroma.

Keep those characteristics separate.