What Is A Chemovar? A Terpene-First Way To Choose Medical Cannabis

A chemovar (short for chemical variety) is a more science-forward way to talk about cannabis—based on what’s in the plant (and product), not just what it’s called. Instead of relying on old-school categories, chemovars focus on the combination of:

• Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, and more)

• Terpenes (aroma compounds like limonene, myrcene, pinene, linalool, etc.)

• Sometimes minor compounds (like minor cannabinoids and flavonoids)

This shift matters because research has long suggested that popular naming and broad “indica vs. sativa” sorting doesn’t consistently map to chemical composition—especially in today’s world of extensive crossbreeding and branding.