A clear overview of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis, their origins and how they appear in an analysis.
CANNABINOIDS
Cannabis is more than CBD and THC. The plant produces a much larger family of molecules called cannabinoids, some abundant and others present only in traces. CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV and their acidic forms together describe part of a strain’s chemical identity.
Understanding these names helps customers read laboratory analyses without reducing a flower to one percentage.
Cannabinoids are cannabis compounds. The plant mainly produces acidic forms such as CBDA and THCA, which can change with time or heat. This explains CBDA becoming CBD during decarboxylation.
Cannabidiol has become the main commercial reference for low-THC hemp products. It is not associated with THC’s characteristic psychotropic effect and appears in flowers, extracts, oils, cosmetics and specialist products within permitted categories.
A flower’s stated percentage must relate to the tested batch. Strains vary between harvests, making the certificate more informative than a fixed number in the product name.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is known for psychotropic effects. In Switzerland, the threshold of 1% THC is a major reference in narcotics law. This is why CBD flower analyses pay close attention to batch THC percentages and content.
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is a precursor in several biosynthetic pathways. Much is converted into other cannabinoids during maturation, explaining CBG’s lower abundance in conventional strains.
Specific strains are selected to retain more CBG. Their aromas can differ greatly from traditional CBD flowers.
Cannabinol notably emerges as THC oxidises and degrades. Its presence relates to plant chemistry, time and storage. It attracts researchers and brands, especially in the sleep field.
Cannabichromene is naturally produced by cannabis. Levels are usually lower than CBD or THC, but it contributes to the full profile.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin has a different side chain from THC, changing its pharmacological behaviour and attracting research interest. It remains much less common in hemp markets than CBD, CBG or CBN.
Certificates may distinguish CBD/CBDA, THC/THCA and CBG/CBGA as different chemical forms. Some laboratories also calculate total CBD or THC from acidic and neutral forms.
A flower with 24% CBD is not automatically better than one with 18%. Cultivation, freshness, terpenes, trimming, size and batch consistency also shape perceived quality.
Cannabinoids describe part of the composition; terpenes mainly describe aroma. They complement one another but should not be confused.
They do not produce THC’s characteristic psychotropic effect. Their pharmacology remains actively researched.
Flowers are complex plant products. A laboratory can measure different molecules in the same batch.
Not necessarily. Presence and amount depend on genetics, maturity, storage and analytical sensitivity.
Consult our Cannabinoid Guide and our guide to understanding a CBD/THC analysis.
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