Introducing the Categories
Finding your favorite products through color-coded categories.
Science Made Simple.
The Strain Compass is a tool designed to simplify a complex process of discovering and comparing cannabis strains based on their chemical composition.
Through the development of a clustering algorithm, SDP found cannabis products CLUSTER into six distinct categories based on their chemical profile, defined primarily by the most dominant terpene or combination of terpenes.
The categories organize the vast diversity of strains into an accessible format, helping users identify strains that align with their preferences for flavor, aroma, or effects. Making the Compass not just a navigation tool but a comprehensive guide for exploring the world of cannabis.
EXPLORE BELOW
How To Use The Strain Compass
A Step-by-step explanation of how to use the color categories and radar charts to find the ideal cannabis product.
Start looking for the strain compass on the products you purchase. This can either be found on the store's menu (if they use POSaBIT), or on the product's lab report. Pay attention to the color of the icon. Did you like the product? What kind of effect did you experience? Was it what you were looking for? If yes, move on to step 2. If no, keep exploring each category to find the one(s) you like best.
Once you’ve identified your preferred category (or categories), take a closer look at each product’s Strain Compass. Compare the product's unique expression (the dark outline) to the category average (the shaded area). While products within the same category share similarities, each has distinct characteristics that set it apart.
Do you find that you prefer certain products within a category more than others? The Strain Compass can help you understand why. For example, in the first chart below, the product has higher levels of α-Pinene and Humulene and slightly less Myrcene compared to the category average.
In the second example, the Blue Category product contains more Limonene and Caryophyllene, offering a different experience. While both products clearly belong in the Blue Category, these variations make each product unique.
Recognizing these subtle differences allows you to refine your choices and better tailor your cannabis experience.
-
The RED Category RED
The RED Category is defined by the terpenes Myrcene, Limonene, and Caryophyllene being represented in roughly equal amounts, and is usually low in Pinene and Humulene.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the RED category.
RED
-
The ORANGE Category ORANGE
The ORANGE Category is defined by the dominance of Terpinolene, making this a very distinct category. There are also notable amounts of Myrcene and b-Ocimene.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the ORANGE category.
ORANGE
-
The YELLOW Category YELLOW
The YELLOW Category is defined by the dominance of Limonene. This category also features notable amounts of Caryophyllene and Linalool, with appreciable amounts of Pinene.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the YELLOW category.
YELLOW
-
The GREEN Category GREEN
The GREEN Category is defined by the dominance of Pinene. This category is a very rare and diverse category, with notable amounts of a-Pinene, Myrcene and Caryophyllene.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the GREEN category.
GREEN
-
The BLUE Category BLUE
The BLUE Category is dominated by the presence of Myrcene. While this category can have variable amounts of other terpenes, Myrcene by far plays the dominant role.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the BLUE category.
BLUE
-
The PURPLE Category PURPLE
The PURPLE Category is dominant in Caryophyllene. This category also features notable amounts of Limonene, Humulene, and Myrcene, and is typically low in Pinene.
----------
Hover over the icon to see the AVERAGE compass expression for the PURPLE category.
PURPLE
Start Your Journey Today
Find a Retailer Near You