News Chemistry

Here’s the chemistry behind marijuana’s skunky scent

Newly identified sulfur compounds in cannabis flowers give the plant its telltale funky odor

image of a cannabis flower

A new study reveals the sulfur compounds that give cannabis flowers that unmistakable skunky aroma.

Martin Deja/Moment/Getty Images

By Ariana Remmel

- More than 2 years ago

Scientists have finally sniffed out the molecules behind marijuana’s skunky aroma.

The heady bouquet that wafts off of fresh weed is actually a cocktail of hundreds of fragrant compounds.