// Definition
Organelles found inside trichome gland heads that produce phenolic compounds — the chemical precursors to cannabinoids. Located in the upper layer of the trichome head, plastids are where UVB-driven cannabinoid synthesis begins. They are one of the two key organelle types inside trichome heads, alongside vacuoles.
// From the Episode
Episode 3 featured a deep dive into trichome anatomy. The panel described how a trichome head is not a simple blob of resin but a structured micro-organ with distinct layers. The upper layer contains plastids, which produce phenols in response to UVB light — these phenols are the building blocks of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Below the plastids sit vacuoles, which produce terpenes. This layered structure explains why different extraction methods capture different compound profiles, and why preserving trichome integrity during harvest and processing is so critical to final product quality.
// Source
Ep. 003 Hash Church Episode III →