A plain-language guide to what terpene chews are, whether they get you high, and the five things worth checking before you buy one.

What is a terpene chew?

A terpene chew is a chewable candy, usually a taffy or gummy, infused with terpenes: the natural aromatic compounds that give cannabis strains, citrus, lavender, and pine their distinct smells and flavors. A well-made terpene chew captures a specific strain's terpene profile in an edible form. MONDAYS calls its version The Original Terp Chew, a hand-pulled taffy built around strain-specific terpene blends with no THC and no CBD in the final product.

Do terpene chews get you high?

No. Terpenes on their own are not intoxicating. A terpene chew that contains zero THC and zero CBD, like every MONDAYS chew, will not cause a high or impairment. Terpenes are the same class of compound found in everyday plants such as lemon peels and lavender. What you get is the flavor and aroma of a strain without the cannabinoids. Some people also enjoy a terpene chew alongside their own cannabis to lean the experience toward a particular strain's character, an approach MONDAYS describes as the steering wheel effect.

The five things to check before you buy

1. Public third-party lab results (COA)

This is the single most important thing to check. A trustworthy brand posts a Certificate of Analysis for every flavor, from an independent lab, with no email gate. Look for a DEA-registered lab and a full panel: cannabinoids, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, microbials, and mycotoxins. If a brand cannot show you a COA, treat that as a red flag. MONDAYS publishes a COA for every flavor on its Lab Results page, tested by a DEA-registered lab.

2. Actual THC and CBD content

Read the COA, not just the marketing. Many products marketed around cannabis still contain measurable THC. If your goal is flavor and terpenes without any high, confirm the cannabinoid results read as non-detectable or below the federal limit. MONDAYS chews are formulated for zero THC and zero CBD, verified batch by batch.

3. How the terpenes are sourced

Terpene chews generally fall into two camps. Hemp-derived terpene chews use terpenes extracted from the hemp plant itself, so they carry authentic strain character and follow hemp shipping rules. Botanical terpene chews recreate strain flavor profiles using plant-based terpenes from non-cannabis sources, contain no hemp or cannabis ingredient at all, and can ship anywhere candy is legal. Neither is better; they suit different needs. MONDAYS offers both a Hemp line and a Botanical line for exactly this reason.

4. Ingredient quality and where it is made

Check for a clean ingredient list, a named manufacturer, and domestic production. Candy is still candy, so the base matters as much as the terpenes. MONDAYS taffy is made in the USA.

5. Batch-level transparency

The best brands tie each product to a specific batch and recipe, so the COA you read actually matches the bag in your hand. Vague, undated lab documents that could apply to anything are a warning sign. Every MONDAYS COA lists its batch number and lab methodology.

Are terpene chews legal?

A terpene chew with no controlled substances in it is legal to buy and enjoy. Botanical terpene chews, which contain no hemp or cannabis ingredient, are legal in all 50 states wherever candy is sold. Hemp-derived terpene chews follow federal hemp rules. One thing worth knowing: a federal hemp redefinition took effect in November 2025 (P.L. 119-37) that tightened the standard for hemp-derived products. MONDAYS already complies with the new definition. A large share of the hemp-derived edible market does not yet, so checking a brand's compliance is worth the minute it takes.

Terpene chews vs gummies vs capsules

Format changes the experience. A chewed taffy lets the terpene profile unfold slowly alongside the flavor, rather than being swallowed in one bite like a capsule. It also makes the product a genuinely enjoyable candy first, which is the point. If you want something to savor rather than simply dose, a taffy-style chew has an edge over a fast-swallow format.

The short version

Before you buy any terpene chew, ask four questions: Can I see a lab result for this exact flavor? What are the actual THC and CBD numbers? Where do the terpenes come from? Is the brand compliant with current hemp rules? A brand that answers all four in the open has earned your trust. If you want to see what that looks like in practice, browse all MONDAYS strains, read up on what terpenes actually do, or take the strain quiz to find a starting flavor.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.