Researchers from California recently discovered a new family of prenylated volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that are believed to contribute to the odor that is associated with cannabis.
They wanted to know more about what might contribute to what is often referred to as a 'skunk smell' when it comes to the cannabis odor. Cannabis scientists note that cannabis produces over 200 unique aroma compounds and we are still learning more about it.
Not all cannabis varieties are going to have the same odor.
Depending on what variety of cannabis that you go with you are going to get a different mixture of those compounds and that means that each variety is going to have its own unique scent.
Terpenoids are believed to contribute to the general aroma found with cannabis but researchers say there isn't much to show that they produce that skunk like smell as well.
Researchers looked at 13 different types of cannabis and they ranked the cannabis based on pungency from 0 to 10. They found that the cannabis which was the most pungent also had the highest concentration of those prenylated volatile sulfur compounds or VSCs.
It is believed that those VSCs might reach max potency during the curing phase of growing cannabis.
As legal cannabis markets have become established over the years around the US and elsewhere, there has been more progress made on cannabis research but still many say more investigation is needed to better understand cannabis overall. With all of the restrictions and the stigma that still remains there is a lot of potential for the cannabis market and cannabis education to flourish.
Sources:
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/936419
https://www.sciencealert.com/we-finally-know-why-cannabis-smells-skunk-y-and-the-answer-could-hold-health-benefits
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/health/why-marijuana-smells-like-skunk-like-odor/
https://kfor.com/news/why-marijuana-smells-like-skunk-scientists-reveal-cause-behind-unmistakable-odor-of-cannabis/