Terpenes and THC are both found in cannabis, but they are completely different kinds of compounds that do completely different things. Understanding the difference is the key to understanding MONDAYS, and it clears up one of the most common points of confusion about our chews.

THC is the cannabinoid

THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the intoxicating high associated with cannabis. It is psychoactive, it is federally regulated, and it is the reason cannabis is treated the way it is legally. When people talk about getting high, they are talking about THC.

Terpenes are the aroma compounds

Terpenes are a separate class of compound that carry aroma and flavor. They are found not just in cannabis but in citrus, lavender, pine, and countless other plants, and many are used as everyday food flavorings. On their own, terpenes do not get you high.

Side by side

THC is a cannabinoid; terpenes are aroma compounds. THC is intoxicating; terpenes are not. THC is heavily regulated; food-grade terpenes are common flavor ingredients. THC is found essentially only in cannabis; terpenes are found throughout the plant world. They are genuinely different categories that happen to share a plant.

The steering wheel and the gas pedal

Our favorite way to put it: if THC is the gas pedal, terpenes are the steering wheel. THC provides the intensity, while terpenes give a strain its unique aroma, flavor, and character. This is a framework for thinking about strain culture, not a health claim. The idea that they might work together has a name, the entourage effect, which is still being researched.

Why this matters for MONDAYS

MONDAYS chews are built entirely on terpenes, with zero THC and zero CBD. That means we can capture the flavor and character of strains like Sour Diesel and Gelato #33 in a candy, without any high and without the legal baggage of THC.

Frequently asked questions

Do terpenes get you high like THC?

No. Only THC produces the high. Terpenes carry aroma and flavor and are not intoxicating. See do terpenes get you high.

Can you have terpenes without THC?

Yes, easily. Terpenes exist throughout the plant world independent of THC. MONDAYS chews are a good example: full of terpenes, zero THC.

Are terpenes legal?

Common food-grade terpenes are widely used as flavor ingredients and are not controlled the way THC is. That is a big part of why MONDAYS can exist as ordinary candy.

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.