If you want to join the 17% of Americans who smoke marijuana, looking into weed characteristics is an important first step. Strains, flavors, and cannabis aroma are all important to consider.
But what does weed smell like? Read on to learn:
- Marijuana scent characteristics
- Differences between strains
- Tips for identifying cannabis smell
Raw Weed: What Does Weed Smell Like?
Marijuana’s smell is earthy and herbal. It’s often described as being skunklike as well. The combination of these scents makes for a unique and unmistakable smell.
This ‘skunky’ scent comes from myrcene, one of the main terpenes in the cannabis plant. Some strains have more myrcene and are more skunklike. Others have less myrcene and the smell is more woody and piney.
Cannabis aroma is strongest when the plant is in its purest form. Marijuana plants have a strong scent when they flower and bloom. The longer the plant is allowed to grow, the more intense it will smell.
When dried and sold, weed may also contain distinct but faint notes of:
- Diesel
- Apple
- Lemon
- Dark plum
The good news is that stronger-smelling weed is often stronger. When you light up a particularly pungent flower, you might experience a more intense high.
Pot Odor After Curing Weed
Curing weed preserves it. It removes moisture from the raw plant so it can be sold. This point-of-purchase flower has been:
- Trimmed
- Dried
- Aged
- Enhanced
This strengthens the smell and brings out all terpenes’ unique scents. The point is to preserve the smell’s integrity and increase potency.
Does Marijuana Scent Change When Smoked?
Weed’s smell shifts when you smoke it. If you put it in a bowl or roll the flower into a blunt, you’ll ignite it with fire.
This means you’re adding several new elements to the marijuana scent, including:
- The smell of fire
- Smoky scents
- Ash
- Rolling paper’s burning scent
This doesn’t just amplify existing smells. It adds new ones to the mix, which amplifies pot odor.
Plus, activating the terpenes and other compounds in cannabis with fire makes the smell stronger.
The ‘skunky’ smell of marijuana is a constant, but other notes stand out while it’s being smoked, too. You may experience smells like:
- Pine
- Firewood
- Lemongrass
Some people describe weed as smelling like a forest fire or a bonfire when they smoke.
Cannabis Aroma By Strain
Cannabis gets its smell because of terpenes. These terpenes are aromatic compounds. They’re found in a lot of plants, but weed tends to have a really high concentration of terpenes.
That’s why they’re so often associated with marijuana!
Myrcene is a terpene that gives weed its characteristic skunky smell. But it’s far from the only one you’ll find in a weed plant.
Common Terpenes
Different strains of weed contain varying terpenes.
Understanding common cannabis terpenes can help you figure out weed scent and flavor profiles. The most common ones and their scents include:
- Myrcene
- A-pinene (pine needles/basil/rosemary)
- A-humulene (earthy and spicy)
- B-caryophyllene (pepper/cloves)
- Limonene (citrus peel)
- Linalool (lavender/rosewood)
These are just a few types of terpenes that contribute to weed characteristics!
Indica vs Sativa
Indica and sativa are the two main types of cannabis.
Indica is a ‘calming’ strain with properties that relax the mind and body. It’s used for stress relief and relaxation. It often promotes better sleep.
Many people think of Indica’s odor when they consider a weed smell. It’s:
- Musty
- Earthy
- Dank/skunky
- Flowery
On the other hand, Sativa has smells that are:
- Sweet
- Fruity
- Citrusy (like orange or lemon)
- Spicy (like beetroot or licorice)
Indica/Sativa Hybrid Strains
Hybrid strains are bred from multiple types of cannabis plants. They have psychedelic and medicinal properties from multiple strains. They also have unique smells.
This is because no two hybrid strains are exactly alike. Some will have more indica content while others have more sativa. Two sativa-heavy strains may also contain different percentages of each compound.
Combine that with flowers that have different THC content, and you’re looking at something really unique! THC is odorless, but a change in content levels may change the pungency of terpenes in the flower.
Hybrid strains may smell like:
- Dank skunk
- Citrus
- Musk
- Blooming flowers
- Herbs and spices
- Tropical fruit
- Fuel/Diesel
Try different hybrid strains to learn what you like best. Cannabis enthusiasts can have fun playing with different options from their dispensary until they find a smell they love.
Other Good Weed Smells
High-quality weed is pungent, which sets it apart from poorly-cultivated varieties. It also has a few additional smells regardless of its strain, including sulfur and natural gas smells.
This might sound unpleasant at first brush, but many cannabis enthusiasts find they love pot odor. It’s relaxing because of its psychedelic properties. Once you associate the marijuana scent with feeling chill, you’ll love it.
Also, stronger skunky smells have more thiols. These are really great antioxidants, so it’s a win-win!
Identifying Cannabis Smell
You may still be wondering: what does weed smell like on a person who’s recently smoked it?
Weed smells stronger after a person smokes it. This is partly because of the fire and smoke mixing with the skunky scent. But it’s also because of the way the human body works.
Weed’s smells layer the smells of swear and other natural human odors. It makes them stronger. So, some people say that they smell more musty or overly sweet after smoking.
If you’re passing a blunt around with friends, embrace it! But if you need to remove it from your body and clothes, you can:
- Wash your hands well
- Open your windows
- Turn on a fan
- Spray air fresheners or Febreeze
- Light a scented candle
Experience the Unique Scent of Marijuana
So, what does weed smell like? It’s earthy and pungent, but the scent may vary slightly between different strains.
Now that you know some tips for identifying cannabis smell, it’s time to begin finding the right strain to fit your needs. Sage Seed is excited to help you find what you need to get energized or sleep better. Contact us with any questions about our pot products!
