Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation: Unveiling the Rich Terpene Diversity

The increasing recognition of cannabis as a therapeutic tool has ignited a fascination with the active, healing compounds within the plant, primarily focusing on cannabinoids and terpenes. Consequently, the factors influencing the cannabinoid and terpene composition of a cannabis strain have gained immense importance. A recent study has emphasized that the quality of cannabis is intricately linked to its cultivation environment, indicating that its potency fluctuates based on environmental variables. This reaffirms the timeless notion that nurture, rather than just nature, plays a pivotal role in shaping the characteristics of a living organism.

Traditionally, cannabis was cultivated outdoors by local communities and seasoned growers. However, as cannabis gained mainstream acceptance, the demand for it has surged, prompting cultivators to explore indoor cultivation methods that enable year-round production. Unbeknownst to many, as revealed by the study presented in this article, the chemical composition of cannabis has undergone significant alterations in this transition.

Study Details

A team of researchers from Columbia University in New York, in collaboration with three cannabis companies – Huckleberry Hill Farms, Moon Made Farms, and Cosmic View in Novato – conducted a study comparing the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of cannabis cultivated in natural outdoor environments and artificial indoor settings. The findings of this study were published in the journal Molecules in January 2023.

The researchers cultivated six cannabis plants, consisting of two genetically identical cultivars: Red Velvet and Cheetah Piss. Three of these plants were grown outdoors in soil exposed to natural sunlight, often referred to as “living soil,” while the remaining three were cultivated indoors using artificial lighting and a controlled growth medium. At the point of harvest, researchers selected buds of similar size and appearance from the upper third of each plant. Terpene analysis was carried out using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while cannabinoids were examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-MS).

Outdoor-Grown Cannabis Exhibits Higher Terpene Levels

The study revealed that cannabis cultivated outdoors displayed a greater diversity of terpenes, with higher concentrations of several beneficial terpenes, such as Limonene, Β-myrcene, Β-caryophyllene, Α-humulene, Α-bergamotene, Α-guaiene, and Germacrene B. Additionally, the research underscored a higher prevalence of sesquiterpenes in outdoor-grown cannabis. Interestingly, there was only a slight disparity in the cannabinoid profiles between indoor and outdoor cannabis. Indoor cultivation resulted in elevated levels of oxidized and degraded cannabinoids, which the researchers attributed to lower terpene levels in the indoor samples. Terpenes serve as antioxidants. The levels of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) were nearly identical between the two groups, while cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) was slightly higher in outdoor plants and tetrahydrocannabutolic acid (THCBA) was more abundant in indoor plants.

Deeper Examination of Outdoor Cultivation is Warranted

Most commercial cannabis producers opt for indoor cultivation environments that provide better control and optimization of production. However, this approach may result in a less robust terpene profile. With research now emphasizing the pivotal role of terpenes in the characteristics of a cannabis strain, it becomes imperative to reimagine and reinvigorate outdoor cultivation as the next frontier in commercial cannabis production.