From Stigma to Chic: Cannabis Scents in Modern Perfumery

When we think of cannabis aromas, our minds are often drawn to dank, pungent, skunky smells. In actuality, cannabis scents come in many different guises; in fact, they've been harnessed in recent years for use in perfumes and a wide variety of beauty products. So, forget what you thought you knew about cannabis aromas as we take you on a terpene-tinged journey through ganja-based fragrances.

The telltale smell of cannabis

Most of us are no strangers to the unmistakable scent of cannabis. Some love it, others loathe it, but one thing is for sure: if someone nearby is smoking cannabis, you're bound to pick up on it. However, while the smell of weed has had negative connotations in the past, recent legalization in many countries, as well as the increasing popularity of CBD-based products, has shifted public perception and attitudes towards cannabis as it becomes much more integrated into the mainstream.

Cannabis and its complementary notes

So, just how are these dank aromas formed? Largely, the cannabis scents we know and love are created by a unique blend of terpenes. These molecules exist across a wide range of plant species, and indeed have long been used in perfumery and cosmetics as aromatic agents.

In cannabis, hundreds of terpenes exist in different concentrations, coming together to form the complex aroma of a given strain. Some strains contain high amounts of certain terpenes, allowing you to pick up on specific notes. For example, if you've ever smoked a strain that was teeming with citrus aromas, it likely contained the terpene limonene. The same can be said for a spicy strain; if you notice hints of pepper, it probably contains caryophyllene.

This complexity of the cannabis aroma/flavour profile is precisely what makes it so viable in perfumery. Fragrances are created by combining various aromas to create an accord, which is a scent comprising several aromatic ingredients that blend together to form a unique fragrance.

Common notes in cannabis perfumes

With so many unique scents on offer, it was only a matter of time before the cannabis plant found itself harnessed in perfumes. All perfumes are characterised by their fragrant notes, which can be divided into top, middle, and base notes. Here's what you can expect when you pick up a cannabis perfume.

Top notes

The first notes you’ll pick up on are the top notes. These short-lasting notes typically lean towards spicy aromas such as bergamot, black pepper, and lemon, so you can anticipate a sharp, citrusy, and spicy experience off the top.

Middle notes

Right under those sharp and spicy scents are the middle notes. Lasting a little longer than the aforementioned top notes, these aromas showcase earthy tones alongside some woody, sweet, and floral characteristics that accurately represent the smell of many modern strains.

Base notes

Lastly, the lingering base notes feature aromas like wood, cream, and earth. Rather than standing out strong like the top notes, base notes offer a subtler but longer-lasting aroma that is perfect for those who don’t want to draw too much attention to themselves.

Popular cannabis-inspired perfumes

When you take all of the fragrance notes into account, it should come as no surprise that there are quite a few distinct cannabis-inspired perfumes available on the market today. From those who want to wear the scent of their favourite strain to those who crave designer fragrances, there's a weed perfume out there for all.

Traditional luxury perfumes

First, let's look at some of the more luxurious fragrances attempting to capitalise on the cannabis trend. These perfumes aim to replicate the complex aromas of cannabis while offering a pleasant aroma that can be enjoyed by all.

Malin+Goetz – cannabis eau de parfum

Harnessing herbaceous, verdant, and wild notes, cannabis eau de parfum evokes some of the finest cannabis scents, counterbalanced with soothing aromas in the form of bergamot, black pepper, and cedarwood, to name just a few. The resulting fragrance is close to cannabis without containing any extracts from the plant itself.

Dries Van Noten – Cannabis Patchouli

From Dries Van Noten comes their take on the cannabis-inspired fragrance. Cannabis Patchouli is a unique blend of bergamot, cedar leaves, sage, and the namesake patchouli, delivering a finely tuned cannabis-style scent that's well-suited to a wide variety of users. This is a premium fragrance that offers a high-end experience.

Fragrance Du Bois – Cannabis Intense

Cannabis Intense showcases bold and dank aromas that evoke some of the finest herb you've ever had the pleasure of smelling. Users can expect refreshing green notes with an intense hit of cardamom punctuated by a little pink pepper and citrus. The result is aromatic and bound to turn some heads (in the best way possible, of course!).

Cannabis subculture-inspired perfumes

In addition to the aforementioned fragrances, which are marketed toward bold fragrance fans, certain companies are also producing perfumes that specifically target the cannabis community and its subcultures. One such company is Xyrena, who, with their Reefer Madness collection, offers nostalgic fragrances that come in a collectible VHS-inspired box. Here are three extraordinary perfumes from Xyrena to check out.

Blue Dream – Extrait de Parfum

This is one dream you won't want to wake up from. Blue Dream is a massively popular cannabis strain that boasts blueberry aromas with a little skunk for good measure. This perfume seeks to replicate this sought-after strain by harnessing pinene, linalool, and caryophyllene to deliver an experience that's smooth, sweet, and balanced.

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Blue Dream (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

(117)

Parents: Blueberry x Haze

Genetics: 20% Indica / 80% Sativa

Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks

THC: 19%

CBD: 0-1%

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

Space Cake – Extrait de Parfum

Second is Space Cake. This fragrance attempts to reproduce the awesomeness of its namesake strain. Xyrena created this perfume with a sweet-smelling aroma that boasts vanilla and buttercream notes, perfect for all sweet-toothed stoners. Though it doesn't contain any THC, a spritz of Space Cake will have your head pleasantly above the clouds.

OG Kush – Extrait de Parfum

Last up is OG Kush. The original OG Kush strain is massively popular and showcases a signature earthy and spicy aroma with some diesel notes. Xyrena has replicated the notes of this cultivar by combining some of the finest cedar aromas with some pine and lemon. So, if you've been looking for a way to rep OG Kush without smoking it, this is just the thing.

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OG Kush (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

(97)

Parents: Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush

Genetics: 75% Indica / 25% Sativa

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

THC: 19%

CBD: 3%

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

The future of cannabis in perfumery

So there you have it—the influence of cannabis on the perfume industry is undeniable. What started as a niche product has become a fully fledged and sought-after sector of the industry. With more and more strains becoming popular in the cannabis world, it's only a matter of time before the perfume industry delivers an even more diverse range of aroma profiles, allowing cannabis fragrances to reach new heights!

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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