Product labels and lab reports list a plant's chemistry. Here's a plain-language guide to the words you'll see.
Cannabinoids
- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): the main intoxicating compound in cannabis. Labels usually show it as a percentage (flower) or in milligrams (edibles).
- THCA: the raw, non-heated form found in the plant. Heat (smoking, vaping, baking) converts it to THC, so "total THC" on a label counts both.
- CBD (cannabidiol): a non-intoxicating cannabinoid common in hemp products.
- CBG, CBN and others: "minor" cannabinoids that appear in smaller amounts.
Terpenes
Terpenes are aroma compounds found in cannabis and in many other plants. They're why strains smell like citrus, pine or pepper. Common ones you'll see:
- Myrcene: earthy, musky (also in mango and hops)
- Limonene: citrus (also in lemon peel)
- Pinene: pine (also in pine needles and rosemary)
- Beta-caryophyllene: peppery, spicy (also in black pepper)
- Linalool: floral (also in lavender)
Reading the numbers
- Look for the lab results (certificate of analysis, or COA) from an independent lab. Licensed stores can show it to you.
- Edibles list THC in milligrams per serving and per package.
- People react differently to the same product. This page is educational only and isn't medical advice.