Despite over 200 different terpenes being identified in the cannabis plant alone, practically all mainline terpene retailers prefer to work with botanically derived terpenes. Between production cost, consistency, and the still-complex legal landscape around cannabis in many states, there is more than one reason cannabis businesses prefer botanical terpenes over cannabis-extracted ones.
Here at True Blue, we use botanical terpene extracts because they give us complete control over purity, consistency, and flavor. By sourcing terpenes from citrus, herbs, and other natural plants, we can recreate the signature profiles of popular strains without relying on cannabis biomass or navigating the regulatory limitations tied to cannabis-derived extracts. This lets us deliver reliable flavor experiences that stay true to the chemistry of the original compounds while keeping costs reasonable.
What Does Botanically Derived Mean?
Botanically derived terpenes are simply terpenes extracted from sources other than the cannabis plant. Terpenes can be found in practically all plant life, not just marijuana and hemp. Limonene, for instance, can be sourced from citrus fruits and their peels. Humulene can be extracted from sage or ginseng. Large concentrations of geraniol are found in geranium, coriander, and thyme.
Even terpenes most closely associated with cannabis, such as myrcene and linalool, can be sourced from non-cannabis plants with identical chemical results. Given appropriate extraction methods and consistent production standards, there is virtually no quality difference between botanically derived terpene products and their cannabis-extracted counterparts. Some producers also offer hemp-derived terpenes for consumers who prefer cannabis-sourced material, though these tend to command a price premium.
Cannabis-Derived vs. Botanically Derived Terpenes
Cannabis-derived terpenes are not lower in quality than botanically derived ones. The two are chemically indistinguishable in most cases. The reasons botanical terpenes are preferred by cannabis businesses are entirely practical.
Legality
The original Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1971 defines "marihuana" to include all parts of the cannabis plant, its seeds, resin, and any compound or derivative thereof. This definition remains highly relevant to state and federal cannabis law and underlies the DEA's current scheduling system.
The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from that definition, meaning hemp-derived compounds with low or no cannabinoid content now exist in a clearer legal space. Even so, many terpene retailers and cannabis businesses choose botanical terpenes specifically to avoid any regulatory ambiguity in states where recreational marijuana remains restricted.
Effects
Some cannabis enthusiasts attribute the effects of terpenes to their interactions with cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in what is commonly called the entourage effect. The broader research into the therapeutic potential of terpenes suggests that individual terpenes may also have biological activity of their own, though most findings are still preclinical.
Take myrcene as an example. Whether sourced from cannabis, hops, or lemongrass, myrcene has demonstrated analgesic and relaxant properties in animal models. Research has also examined myrcene's potential to increase the permeability of cell membranes, including the blood-brain barrier, in preclinical studies. These are animal and laboratory findings. They indicate that myrcene's biological identity does not change based on its plant source, which is the point relevant to botanically derived terpenes.
Flavor
The interchangeability of cannabis-extracted and botanically derived terpenes is reflected in the flavor profiles of cannabis strains themselves. New consumers will often notice that Grape Ape, which is high in pinene, has distinctly piney elements in its aroma. Lemon OG, dominant in limonene, carries obvious citrus notes. These flavor signatures are driven by the terpenes themselves rather than their plant of origin.
This interchangeability means that botanical terpenes can be used to accurately recreate full strain profiles without cannabis biomass, giving formulators flexible and cost-effective access to a wide range of aroma and flavor possibilities.
Costs
Cannabis cultivation and extraction are significantly more labor and cost intensive than growing basil or pressing citrus. While industrially grown hemp is considerably more cost-competitive, it tends to contain lower terpene concentrations than its psychoactive counterpart. Both factors make botanical sources more economical for terpene production at scale.
How Botanical Terpenes Are Extracted
The terpene extraction process is broadly similar regardless of the plant source. Steam distillation is the most common method: plant material is placed over boiling water, causing volatile terpenes to vaporize, which are then collected and stored after condensation. Hydro distillation is an older variation in which the plant material is submerged directly in the water.
Higher-end producers increasingly use solvent-based extraction, which breaks down plant material to release its chemical components before isolating target compounds using solvents such as hexane or CO2. Residual solvents are removed before the final product is analyzed and prepared for use.
Are Botanically Derived Terpenes Appropriate for Vaping?
Natural terpenes are commonly added to e-liquids and cannabis concentrates as flavor and aroma enhancers. Many experienced vapers and DIY formulators prefer botanical terpenes over synthetic flavoring agents for this application. That said, vaping carries real safety considerations that extend beyond the terpene source.
The most important is Vitamin E Acetate, a cutting agent that was identified by the CDC as the primary cause of the 2019-2020 EVALI lung injury outbreak, which resulted in over 2,800 hospitalizations. Any vaping formulation should be free from Vitamin E Acetate and from any additive not specifically intended for inhalation. Food-grade status does not automatically mean a compound is safe to inhale. Anyone who develops respiratory symptoms after vaping should seek medical attention and inform their provider of their vaping history.
Other Advantages of Botanically Derived Terpenes
Botanical terpenes offer superior batch-to-batch consistency compared to cannabis-derived ones. Even with identical genetics, it is difficult to produce cannabis crops with fully consistent terpene profiles across harvests. Botanically derived products do not have this limitation, which gives them a meaningful quality-control advantage at commercial scale.
Botanical terpenes also compare favorably to synthetic ones. Synthetic terpenes are produced in laboratories through chemical processes designed to create precise profiles. While they can produce stronger initial aromas, many consumers report that synthetic terpenes are harsher to vape and may produce throat irritation. Botanical terpenes, being naturally derived, tend to perform more smoothly across a wider range of applications.
If you are interested in exploring botanical terpenes for your products or personal use, browse True Blue's selection of flavor profiles and strain profiles to find the right fit.