Terpenes are the reason for the season, especially if you consider 4/20 a year-round celebration. We love talking terps and so do our favorite budtenders. Nearly one third of cannabis shoppers trust budtender recommendations, so we know that budtenders that shop by terpene levels are heard loud and clear. But for our budtenders who still need to brush up, how do you recommend terpene-driven products and strains to your customers?
Our first step in being able to identify specific terpenes for guests is understanding how terpenes work. We had our first terp talk on the blog a while ago, but overall terpenes are activated with THC and help drive the effects of cannabis in the user. While naturally, some users have idiosyncratic responses to terpenes, many people’s experiences with terpenes commonly follow similar patterns.
Here’s a quick guide on common cannabis consumer questions and how to help steer them towards specific terpenes.
“I am having trouble sleeping”
Our favorite terpene for rest and relaxation is linalool. Linalool shares properties with lavender, a natural sleep aid in general. If you can find strains that pair linalool with high levels of myrcene, it’s even better. If you can pair linalool with some CBD, a natural anti-inflammatory, it can really relax your body and get you drifting off into dreamland.
“I want to relax after a hard work out or after work”
We’re starting to see more and more people using cannabis as a recovery tool for athletes or those who work out. This is also applicable for people who are on their feet all day and are looking to use cannabis to relax and unwind after a long day. While linalool could help put you at ease and get you ready for bed, skipping that and going straight to a high myrcene strain can help you relax without knocking you out. Ideally if you can find a strain with high myrcene and a blend with caryophyllene that would be a great sweet spot. Caryophyllene can be peppery, but it also helps with anti-inflammatory properties to really help the body relax. Pair this with a 1:1 THC / CBD topical for any physical pain points and you’ll get back on your feet for another set of reps soon.
“I’m going on an adventure!”
Calm down, Bilbo Baggins. But we understand- maybe your customer is going on a gorgeous walk or has a home project they want some energy for. For the weekend warriors, it’s time to tap in the pinene. Pinene smells like the forest and that’s because it shares DNA with pine trees, hence the name. Pinene can help you keep your eyes open, and your brain stimulated.
“I’m working on my screenplay” or “I have an art project”
Your customers may not be the next Jordan Peele smoking while writing their Academy Award winning original screenplay, but a lot of people use cannabis to spark creativity. When we’re gearing up to swing for greatness and knock out that novel, the terpene we look for is a blend that is somewhat uplifting with terpinolene or limonene and a splash of something calming like myrcene. Terpinolene and limonene are energizing terpenes that can keep your brain on track while myrcene will keep you from spinning out.
Want to learn more about terpenes and broaching the subject with your customers? Keep on reading below:
