What does cannabis smell like, and what causes its aroma?

Cannabis belongs to the Cannabaceae plant family, and through selective breeding, growers have developed many cannabis cultivars, each with their own characteristics. 

In the broad sense of scents, cannabis has an easily recognisable aroma, and to the untrained nose, most cannabis plants and cannabis aroma profiles probably smell the same. This is because many cultivars within the cannabis genus contain the same chemical compounds, which form these scent archetypes. 

However, each cultivar actually does smell slightly different from one another. 

This is because the unique chemical profile varies from cultivar to cultivar, with the concentration of aromatic compounds like terpenes and volatile sulphur compounds all impacting the overall smell. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these individually.

How do terpenes affect cannabis’ aroma?

From flowers and fruits to herbs and spices, terpenes are a natural compound found in a wide variety of plants. 

More than 150 different types of terpenes have been discovered in cannabis plants up to now, and they’re believed to have a number of possible health benefits. What’s more, each one has its own characteristic profile, which can contribute to the scent of cannabis.

While its base note is believed to be created by volatile sulphur compounds (more on those later!), terpenes add an extra dimension to the smell of cannabis. 

For instance, terpenes can make the plant have a sweet, spicy or sour smell, depending on their concentration within the plant. This is why some cannabis cultivars smell earthier or muskier, while others smell more citrusy or floral. 

Here’s a handy breakdown of the most common cannabis terpenes and their associated smell profile:

So, what about volatile sulphur compounds?

The underlying sulphuric-like smell to cannabis is believed to be due to a family of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) contained within the plant. 

Much like terpenes, VSCs are the origin source of many natural scents, and are particularly odorous. 

One particular VSC, named 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol (or Prenylthiol for short), is found abundantly in pungent, strong-smelling cannabis cultivars, and is believed to be the main culprit, or primary odorant, for cannabis’ “skunky” smell. 

Findings published by the American Chemical Society back in 2021 showed that Prenylthiol levels in cannabis increased significantly during the last stages of the flowering process, reaching their maximum potency during the curing stage. 

This same study also determined that after about one week of storage, the level of present VSCs drops dramatically, which might explain why cannabis has such an intense smell when it’s at its freshest.

How do flavonoids impact the taste and smell of cannabis?

Like terpenes, flavonoids are present in different plant species throughout nature. But unlike terpenes, the scientific research into this class of chemical compounds is fairly limited. 

It is believed that flavonoids, or cannaflavins (a type of flavonoid only found within cannabis), can influence cannabis’ characteristics in several ways. 

Working together with the terpenes, cannaflavins can affect aroma, while also dictating its flavour as a flower, and often its colour. 

Currently, it’s generally accepted that flavonoids have a minor influence on cannabis’ aroma in comparison to terpenes and VSCs, but they still warrant a mention.

Are there any other factors that influence the smell of cannabis?

As with its other characteristic features, medical cannabis cultivators can now design and curate plants to have a particular smell. This is done through selective breeding programmes, capturing specific attributes from cultivars to replicate or adapt when designing new hybrid strains. 

This process sometimes involves breeding plants that contain particularly high levels of VSCs, which can result in a particularly pungent-smelling plant. 

It may also lead to the breeding of plants with terpenes that have a more conventional citrusy or floral smell, to help improve the patient’s sensory experience.

Cannabis harvesting and aroma

Another factor that influences the way cannabis smells is when it is harvested. 

Typically, the later cannabis is harvested, the more potent it will smell. This is because its terpenes and VSCs, much like its cannabinoid content, are continually produced as the plant matures, reaching their peak level once the cannabis plant reaches full maturity. 

The form in which cannabis has been manufactured into, or is sold as its end product, also affects the way it smells. 

In a similar way to cooking, when cannabis is heated, its aroma intensifies and alters slightly. This means when dried cannabis flower is vaporised, for example, it may have a different scent to another format, such as cannabis-based oil.

Cannabis storage and smell

Several other factors during the growing, harvesting, drying and storage stages may also influence the way in which a particular cannabis cultivar smells.

Contaminants or impurities like mould can cause cannabis to develop mycotoxins, which may create a musty, stagnant odour that penetrates the plant and takes over its natural aroma and flavour.

As well as ruining the taste and smell of cannabis, mycotoxins can be extremely dangerous to health. So their pungent smell can actually act as a warning to consumers that something isn’t quite right with their cannabis. However, scent isn’t the only warning sign that cannabis may be off, as some contaminated cannabis smells normal.

The aroma of cannabis is a complex and multifaceted aspect of this versatile plant. 

Each cannabis cultivar has its own diverse molecular makeup of aromatic compounds that all factor into how it smells, which is why it’s difficult to give one definitive description.

Terpenes, flavonoids and VSCs are the main compounds within cannabis that are thought to influence its scent, with their individual concentrations affecting the plant’s overall aroma. 

That said, the plant’s freshness, including when it was harvested and the product it’s manufactured into, can also affect its overall aroma. 

In other words, it’s the unique combination of each of these factors that gives each cannabis cultivar its scent. 

Cannabis aroma and smell FAQs

What does cannabis smell like, and does it have a distinctive smell?

With the range of cannabis cultivars currently available, each with their own unique terpene and cannabinoid profiles, there isn't really a one-scent-fits-all answer to this question.

Generally speaking, cannabis is thought to be on the musky, earthier side of the fragrance spectrum. 

But with so many unique cultivars now around thanks to selective breeding programmes, it can also smell floral, fruity, spicy and various other scents. In fact, some cultivars are even designed to not have much smell at all.

What should good-quality medical cannabis smell like?

The distinct smell can vary depending on the medical cannabis cultivar you have been prescribed. But it should still smell potent and clear, giving off strong citrus, pine, woody or floral notes that show it’s been produced in the right manner.

Good quality medical cannabis should also be free from any unexpected or unpleasant odours. 

A musty smell can be a sign of poor drying or storage, while a sharp ammonia-like aroma may be caused by mould. Neither of which you’d expect to smell from a medical cannabis-derived product. 

Does vaporised cannabis smell as strongly as smoke?

Typically, no. The vaporisation of cannabis uses a lower temperature which helps to reduce the emission of VSCs. It also offers a more uniform way of consuming cannabis, which means the smell is naturally less pungent and better controlled.

Can you remove the smell of cannabis?

Yes, the smell of vaporised cannabis can usually be removed from a room by using an air purifier or ventilation system. Even just opening a window for a few minutes should help. If you are concerned about the aroma of cannabis lingering on clothes, skin, and hair, it’s best to allow some time after usage for its smell to dissipate before heading out in public.

To practise good social and responsible medical cannabis consumption, it’s a good idea to carry your prescription in its original pharmacy-labelled packaging and to avoid using it in confined public spaces, even when it’s permitted. 

Is the smell of cannabis dangerous?

The smell of vaporised cannabis isn’t usually dangerous. However, you should avoid vaporising it around children or pregnant people. 

Does cannabis have essential oils?

Cannabis does not produce essential oils in the same way as plants like tea tree or eucalyptus. But it does contain terpenes, which are the primary building blocks of essential oils. 

Terpenes like myrcene, limonene and pinene give cannabis its distinctive aroma and may contribute to its therapeutic effects. 

While essential oils can be extracted from cannabis, these only contain trace amounts of cannabinoids and are primarily made up of terpenes.

Do cannabinoids have a smell?

As for what THC and CBD smell like, cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are odourless in their pure, isolated form. It’s the terpenes that are primarily responsible for the distinctive smell of cannabis, rather than specific cannabinoids.

What smells similar to cannabis?

Some people find that cannabis smells similar to hops, which give beer its bitterness and aroma, and some cannabis has even been reported to smell like garlic and onions.

Want to learn more about medical cannabis?

You’ll find more information, FAQs and guides in our blog and education hub, and if you’d like to find out if medical cannabis treatment could be an option for you, our online eligibility checker is fast and free.

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