Cannabis cannabinoids list: short answer
Cannabis sativa produces more than 100 cannabinoids. Delta-9 THC and CBD reach the highest levels in most cultivars. CBG, CBC, CBN, THCV, and CBDV appear at lower levels. Acid forms such as THCA and CBDA turn into their neutral forms when heated. Humans also make endocannabinoids, and labs make synthetic versions.
What a cannabinoid is
Cannabinoids are compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors. Two receptors are known. CB1 sits in the brain and nervous system. CB2 sits in immune cells. Plant cannabinoids are called phytocannabinoids. The body makes its own, called endocannabinoids.
Main phytocannabinoids
- Delta-9 THC: Psychoactive. Binds CB1. Most abundant cannabinoid in drug-type cannabis.
- CBD: Not intoxicating. The second most studied cannabinoid.
- CBG: Non-intoxicating. Levels in most flower stay under 1 percent.
- CBC: Non-intoxicating. Binds CB2 and binds CB1 with low affinity.
- CBN: Forms as THC degrades with heat, light, and time.
- THCV: Shares the THC structure. Found in some cultivars from Africa and Asia.
- CBDV: Related to CBD. Studied in epilepsy research.
- Delta-8 THC: A THC isomer. Occurs in small amounts in the plant.
- CBL, CBT, CBCV: Minor compounds. Human data is thin.
Acid forms in raw cannabis
Raw cannabis holds cannabinoids with a carboxyl group. These are CBGA, THCA, CBDA, CBCA, THCVA, CBDVA, and CBGVA. CBGA is the first one formed. Enzymes convert CBGA into the others.
Heat removes the carboxyl group. That step is decarboxylation. THCA turns into THC. CBDA turns into CBD. THCA does not bind CB1 receptors in a strong way and is not intoxicating at common doses.
Cannabis Cannabinoids List: THC, CBD, CBG, CBN and More
Endocannabinoids
The body makes two main endocannabinoids: anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). They bind CB1 and CB2. Enzymes called FAAH and MAGL break them down.
US law
The 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as cannabis with delta-9 THC at or below 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. Hemp-derived cannabinoids sit in a patchwork of state rules. The FDA has approved one CBD drug, Epidiolex, for seizures. The FDA has not approved CBD as a food additive or a dietary supplement. Two THC-related drugs, dronabinol and nabilone, are approved for nausea and appetite.
What is unknown
Research on minor cannabinoids rests on lab work and animal studies. Human trials are few. Dosing is not established for CBG, CBC, CBN, THCV, or CBDV. Labels on retail products do not always match lab results. Third-party lab tests are the way to check potency and purity.