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Is privacy and isolation a necessary part of your relationship to cannabis? This question doesn’t have to be answered, but for many stoners and cultivators the notion of discretion is of paramount importance. While some puff-puff-pass with friends right on the steps of their busy downtown apartment, others prefer to roll one only when they’re shut in the comforts of their home for the night.
It’s a well known fact that there are certain types of cannabis users, but generally speaking there are two major personalities: those who are loud, proud and willing to share their love of weed, and those who have a private, medically-conscious relationship to cannabis.
There is no right or wrong way to consume your cannabis – unless of course you’re trying to do a dab hit while submerged under water. Some folks don’t mind letting the world know that they’re a cannabis lover, whereas others prefer to keep it personal.
There are also considerations to be made for how to manage weed smells, with reference to smoking vs growing. A lot of cultivators require odor-free exhaust to either remain undetected, or to not aggravate the neighbors at least. On the flip side, anyone who rents or shares public space with others in a communal setting has to be very cognizant of their second-hand smoke & odors.
Suffice it to say, what we put into the air – and into others’ noses – is unfortunately our responsibility. Instead of investing in weed that doesn’t smell like weed, weed with no smell or a variety of incense, candles and aerosols, we’ve put together a list of low odor strains that are full of flavor with manageable aromas. If you’re looking for some high-quality weed that doesn’t smell overpowering to smoke or to grow, then this is the guide for you.
Is There Weed With No Smell?!
Cannabis is a plant family that thrives in its scents, aromas and odors. What would weed be without those satisfying, pungent smells of citrus, fuel, spice and berries?! Most stoners and growers alike adore the wafts of weed aromas – in fact, many purchases of the best buds are made based on how they smell. Looks can be deceiving, but odors bring to mind a colorful spectrum of terpene qualities that can’t be faked.
Even though we may love the smells of cannabis, it can cause us some trouble to always be reeking of weed. Whether you’re at the doctor’s office, being checked at a roadstop, or dining with friends & family, not everyone around you is as enthusiastic about the bodacious buds you just enjoyed. A popular term ‘secondhand smell’ has started to circulate in reference to tobacco and cannabis smokers – it’s not just the smoke that’s the problem for many people, it’s the odors.
What about those of us who refrain from public displays of marijuana affection? Since there’s no such thing as weed that doesn’t smell, many people who focus on consideration of others stick to low odor strains consumed at home, or only growing weed with no smell for their personal crops. This notion of what you’re smoking vs what you’re growing provides the perfect comparison to how stoners manage their cannabis habits in the most discreet ways possible.
Here’s some of the ways in which people try to mitigate the stench of their skunky, chunky nugs:
Spray & Pray: Incense, air fresheners, deodorizers
Circulate It: Air purifiers, filtration systems, fans
Nature’s Way: Aerating plants, absorbing minerals, fruits
Stealth Devices: Sploofs, vaporizers, hookahs
Growers and smokers have to invest in a lot of equipment, accessories or know-how to mask the scents of their marijuana from prying noses. If it seems annoying, that’s because it is – people should stop sticking their noses into what you do for recreation or health reasons. Nevertheless, many townhomes, apartments, neighborhoods and municipalities have strict guidelines for ‘keeping air clean and unadulterated’ from substances like tobacco, cannabis and vaping products.
There are a number of types of weed that doesn’t smell you can focus on if you’re a usual smoker: edibles, topicals, concentrates, etc. However, for growers of the dankest dro on the block, the top-of-the-line purifiers and air filtration systems can make a giant hole in an already cash-strapped wallet – cultivating cannabis is no cheap affair.
Nobody should have to limit their crop choices because they’re too worried the magnificent odors of a certain strain will cause stress for their neighbors or tenants. There’s no weed that doesn’t smell like weed, but some hybrids and hemp strains offer a tamer aromatic profile than your average buds.
We’ll discuss low odor strains shortly, but first let’s go over what makes cannabis so pungent vs weed with no smells:
Terpenes & VSC’s
There’s no such thing as weed with NO smell, but there are variations of cannabis whose terpene properties make them more pungent than others. Linalool, pinene, limonene and caryophyllene can create complex odors of lavender, trees, citrus fruits and cinnamon, respectively. Terpenes are the primary indicators of a strain’s flavor profile and aromatic characteristics, but it’s not the whole story.
VSC’s, or Volatile Sulfur Compounds, are similar phytocompounds like terpenes that are also found in other plantborne foods, herbs or spices. Garlic is one such example that shares similar VSC’s with both hops and cannabis – both of which are from the same Cannabacea family. Like terpenes, VSC’s are organic compounds, but where they differ is that plants might be used to ward off would-be animals or people whereas terpenes are meant to entice pollinators.
VSC’s and terpenes can be impacted by cultivation techniques, especially harvesting, drying and curing processes. VSC’s are more volatile – hence the name – than terpenes which can last long after they’ve been cured. VSC3 is the particular organic compound that seems to be closely linked with that iconic – and demonized – cannabis “skunk” smell. Others that could contribute to the skunk-factor of weed are VSC4, VSC5, VSC6 and VSC7.
What do terpenes and VSC’s say about a particular strain? Whether you’re going to light it up in a joint or bong, or you’re considering growing a strain that is high in these volatile sulfur compounds, you’ll be surrounded by a powerful odor of cannabis long after it’s gone, either way.
Terpenes typically have a pleasing aroma for the majority of people, so too much terpene content is kind of a moot point. Nevertheless, the high in terpene or VSC potencies, the more smell-factor will be present for that type of cannabis. VSC’s aren’t usually reported in cannabis strains – we’ve only ever seen it at cannabis trade shows – so it’s not a great metric to live by. Think of the terpenes AND cannabinoids you’re after when choosing a strain – if you grow/smoke/eat what you find pleasurable, you’ll be happy, your plants will be happy, and your neighbors should be happy for YOU.
Top 5 Low Odor Strains:
Weed that doesn’t smell like weed isn’t really weed at all – or at least, that’s what we’ve tried to communicate to you. You can’t have your buds without smelling them too if you’re a smoker or grower. Edibles, extracts, topicals and other cannabis products can avoid the smell factor, but they’re also potentially missing out on the benefits that come from terpenes. That’s why live resins, full-spectrum concentrates and naturally derived cannabis offer superior tastes & effects – it’s all linked to the smells, aka the terpenes.
If you’re still set on growing some low odor strains, or smoking weed with little-to-no smells, then here’s some of the strains of cannabis that are known to produce diminished odors:
WHITE RHINO
Like most good indicas, White Rhino is a bushy beauty that provides a balanced profile of smells to match its stalwart, voluminous appearance. With a relaxing high topped with notes of fruitiness and subtle sweetness that would make even a rhino surrender, WR proves that a good cannabis strain doesn’t have to be overpowering in its flavors & effects. Aroma-wise, White Rhino gives ground to fresh air, as it doesn’t cloy at your nostrils like many other indicas do.
Growers love White Rhino because it’s short, bushy, and it doesn’t mess around the growroom. A lot of SCROG cultivators adore this strain because it’s canopy is extremely consistent and steady throughout its life cycles. The smells of WR are noticeable, but they don’t permeate the air like somebody just gas-bombed the place. When you think of rhinos, don’t fret about the smell – picture a room full of White Rhinos and breathe deep of the sensual indica-charged air.
JACK HERER
What do you get when you combine the good looks & charm of Mr. Jack Herer with some tall sativa genetics? You get his namesake buds. Jack Herer strain is a favorite sativa-hybrid for many westcoast growers. Unlike its namesake, this legendary cultivar doesn’t protest to being rolled, smoked, and shared in public because it has a distinctively “quiet smell”. Aromas aren’t usually loud or quiet, but this one is exactly that – quiet, calm and confident.
Growing JH is enjoyable due to its subtly sweet aromas and lanky stalks, making your grow room light, airy and easy to manage. Some have described Jack Herer as the sweetest incense in the cannabis kingdom – it’s got a very light smell to it that is tough to describe, but easy to enjoy.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Ah, the beauty of the Northern Lights… the strain is on par with the magnificence of the phenomenon of the night sky. Vibrant colors and pretty arrangements of flowers & leaves make NL a sight to behold, but it’s your nose that will be dancing to the smells of this popular cultivar. Northern Lights has powerful sedative effects, which probably accounts for why everyone is in such a great mood whenever it’s around.
Because it was hybridized for both indoor and outdoor growing, NL is a grower’s dream. This crop is consistent, boasts a strong natural immunity to pests, and produces yields as hearty as it is tough in all environments. Nothing about this strain is overbearing, except maybe how amazing it is at just about everything.
GREEN CRACK
Mangoes, pineapples, tropical breezes and toasty vanilla… no that’s not a candle fragrance, that’s Green Crack! The name says it all how popular this strain has become. From its earliest days running ramshod over California, to its prominence today as a staple for all hybrid buds, GC is one of the top tier low odor strains only because it is so versatile. Some God strains can fill a room with funk faster than you can say “Mary J”, but because it responds so well to cultivation techniques, it can be customized in flavor, aroma and quality intensity.
Green Crack boasts a short growing period and kicks into flower at the drop of a hat – or light switch. It’s strong against environmental changes, and it yields a ton – sometimes literally. What you might not have known about GC is that its terpenes change a lot from grower to grower. This might seem like it can cause confusion in the smells department, but it’s actually the opposite – every experience with Green Crack is fresh, fragrant and full of new experiences.
DURBAN POISON
Durban Poison is a great strain for growers looking to cultivate a relatively smell-free strain of weed at their home or rental. DP emits a low incense of citrus, spice and pine towards flowering, but even after harvest the intensity of its odors is far reduced compared to many other landrace sativas.
Durban Poison smokes much like it is grown – less skunk, more funk. Citrus energy is coiled within every smoke cloud, and uplifting waves of spice wash over your mind & body – and yet, it’s not an overwhelming sensory experience. Poison was an overambitious choice of name for this invigorating, pleasing ancient sativa strain.
Now it’s time to wake up and smell the cannabis coffee!
