Accurately labeling terpene concentrations in cannabis flowers remains a mystery, despite well-known discrepancies between labeled and tested THC potency.
Since terpenes coexist with THC in trichomes, their inaccuracy in labeling is assumed to be similar to that of THC.
However, cannabis contains over 150 types of terpenes, compared to only THC and THCA forms. Labs identifying more terpenes may report higher concentrations, while others may underestimate them.
Terpenes are also more likely to be lost during storage than THC, leading to higher concentration differences before packaging and consumption.
Moreover, there is no government regulation for testing and labeling terpenes in cannabis, resulting in variations in reported concentrations across labs and cannabis manufacturers, making it difficult to establish a consistent and reliable standard.