Working with Hemp or Cannabis Derived Terpenes in Vapes and More

Cannabis or Hemp Derived Terpenes (CDTs/HDTs) are utilized as flavoring extracts in products such as vapes, E-cigs, cigarettes, and therapeutic soaps. Hemp and cannabis share a significant genetic similarity, enabling specially bred hemp varieties to mimic the flavors of cannabis strains without producing THC (THCA), which are regulated substances. The key advantage of CDTs & HDTs lies in their ability to facilitate consistent mass production of vapes with distinct terpene “strains” and large-scale distillate extracts. This contrasts with live resin, which often exhibits batch-to-batch variability influenced by factors like weather, time of year, and geographic location, akin to agricultural produce.

Initially, cannabis-derived terpenes were extracted during cryogenic BHO processes and subsequently subjected to fractional distillation to remove full-spectrum terpenes. However, this approach proved challenging to scale due to inconsistencies in source materials. The passing of the 2019 Farm Bill prompted many hemp farms to cultivate and extract hemp on a commercial scale for CBD production. This led to the development of hemp strains specifically bred to mimic cannabis-like terpene profiles, marking the onset of commercial hemp terpene extraction.

CDTs & HDTs are hydrocarbon terpenes that are thermally labile and susceptible to rapid oxidation under heat or oxidative conditions. Although they are less fragile than live resin, precautions must be taken to prevent spoilage and discoloration. The following sections address various aspects of handling these sensitive terpenes:

Cannabis or Hemp Derived Terpenes (CDTs/HDTs) are utilized as flavoring extracts in products such as vapes, E-cigs, cigarettes, and therapeutic soaps. Hemp and cannabis share a significant genetic similarity, enabling specially bred hemp varieties to mimic the flavors of cannabis strains without producing THC (THCA), which are regulated substances. The key advantage of CDTs & HDTs lies in their ability to facilitate consistent mass production of vapes with distinct terpene “strains” and large-scale distillate extracts. This contrasts with live resin, which often exhibits batch-to-batch variability influenced by factors like weather, time of year, and geographic location, akin to agricultural produce.