The recent use of quantitative sensory evaluation to characterize cannabis aroma has revealed striking variation among commercially available strains. At least two basic aroma profiles have been identified, and development of an empirically-based olfactory lexicon is now underway. Independently, a long history of chemical analysis has implicated dozens of mono- and sesquiterpenes as volatile components of fresh and dried cannabis. While these compounds likely contribute to strain-specific aroma, attempts to link odor notes to specific terpenes go beyond the currently available scientific evidence. Large-scale chemotyping and genotyping efforts are beginning to illuminate consistent patterns across cultivars. In combination with sensory data, we may soon be able to infer the chemical and genetic origins of cannabis strain aroma profiles, to the benefit of consumers, plant breeders, and marketers.

Chemical and genetic origins of strain-specific aroma in <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.

2019 Spring National Meeting

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Chemical and genetic origins of strain-specific aroma in Cannabis sativa L.