Terpenes are what give cannabis different scents and benefits/effects. But the longer version is truly scientific, which is why terpene knowledge is particularly useful when treating medical conditions with cannabis, on becoming a cannabis consumer.
Terpenes are organic hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants, including cannabis. Terpenes are made in the trichomes of the plant, which typically present themselves in cannabis as sticky, mushroom-shaped fibers. In a natural state, these terpenes can repel predators - much like naturally occurring thorns on roses or cacti.