Does Delta-11 Smell Like Weed?

by Kat Austin June 19, 2023 4 min read

Does Delta-11 Smell Like Weed? - Vida Optima™

Delta-11 products are starting to pop up everywhere, and plenty of consumers are excited to try this highly potent THC isomer. Delta-11 is definitely legal by federal standards (and is legal in most states), but some people still want to keep their hemp use low-key. So, is it discreet or does Delta-11 smell like weed?

Answers are pretty mixed, but it really just depends on what kind of Delta-11 product you choose. Delta-11-THC in its purest form doesn't have much of a smell at all. Different types of Delta-11-THC products, however, have different smells that range from fruity fragrances to oily aromas and yes, to the herbal scent of weed.

Whether you’re looking for a product that’s entirely discreet or you want something to mimic the sweet fragrance of cannabis flowers, here’s what you need to know:

Key Takeaways

  • Delta-11 products containing raw plant material or terpenes may smell like cannabis.
  • Other products, like edibles or tinctures, may have no weed smell at all and a great option for discreet dosing.
  • Make sure that any Delta-11 product you choose is made according to federal hemp guidelines.

What is Delta-11?

Delta-11-THC is a hemp isomer that's made similarly to other hemp THC isomers via an isomerization process that starts with natural CBD extract. Because it's derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC, it falls under the umbrella of federally legal hemp products.

A jar of hemp flower, which can be used to make aromatic delta-11 hemp flower products.

It does, however, have potent psychoactive effects that are thought to be nearly three times stronger than traditional THC products, but the effects are usually described as similar. The extent of the intense euphoric high is dose-dependent, but some possible effects include:

  • Increased relaxation
  • Body euphoria
  • Boosted mood
  • Intense cerebral experienced
  • Increased sensitivity to light and color
  • Reduced stress

Delta-11 can be naturally found in hemp, but it's usually only found in low concentrations. This is why it needs to be converted from CBD in order to make Delta-11 extract in usable amounts. Thankfully, this results in a wide array of Delta-11 products, each with their own flavors, aromas, dosing styles, and more.

What Does Delta-11 Smell Like?

Delta-11 doesn’t really have a scent on its own. A pure Delta-11 extract is scentless. Most of the “weed smell” that you associate with cannabis products come from terpenes, and the rest of the aroma comes from plant compounds like chlorophyll. The different extraction methods and formulations used all affect how much plant material makes it into the final product.

The scent of a particular product just depends on how it’s made since some products do contain terpenes, as well as flavoring and other ingredients that add to the fragrance.

So, as we mentioned earlier, it really depends on what type of Delta-11-THC product you choose and on the actual ingredients used in the product.

Keeping Discreet: Delta-11-THC Products That Don’t Smell Like Weed

If you’re looking for Delta-11-THC products that don’t smell like weed you’ll probably want to opt for an edible or tincture.

In general, edibles don’t smell like cannabis or contain much leftover plant material, and instead will smell like whatever flavoring, sweetener, or other food ingredients are used. Edibles, including candies, gummies, or baked goods, are easily the most discreet dosing option.

Delta-11 tinctures generally don’t smell like cannabis either, although some contain terpenes that give them an herbal aroma. Some tinctures contain flavoring and sweeteners and smell more like an edible, but tinctures are distinctly different from standard edible products. Still, tinctures can be pretty discreet since they don’t leave behind any weed smell.

Delta-11-THC Products That May Smell Like Weed

Some Delta-11-THC products mimic the smell of cannabis a bit more intensely, and for obvious reasons. These products are much less discreet, but often contain hemp-derived terpenes, which may enhance the therapeutic benefits of the formula. Some Delta-11-THC products, like in the form of Hemp THC flower, are made from real hemp flower. These products obviously smell and look alot like traditional cannabis products.


Hemp THC vaporizers are kind of on the fence. Some have added ingredients that make them taste sweet, and those vaporizers may not really smell like weed. Some Hemp THC vapes take a more natural approach and include only hemp oil, THC distillate, and terpenes. Those vaporizers may have an herbal smell that mimics the smell of cannabis, although not as intensely.

The smell from a vaporizer usually dissipates more quickly than hemp flower when it is smoked, too, so vaporizers are sometimes still useful as a discreet dosing option.

Where to Buy Discreet Delta-11-THC

Because hemp-derived THC products are legal, you can easily buy Delta-11-THC products online. Still, you want to be wary of cheaply made, untested products.

Our Elev8 Collection is third-party lab tested and 100% Farm Bill compliant. We ship discreetly and offer many different discreet dosing options, like our unique sublingual-style Delta-8 Candies and potent Hemp THC Flower.

Vida Optima Cloud9 THC Gummies


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