Most Common Cannabinoids in Hemp: CBDA, CBGA, CBD, CBG

Most Common Cannabinoids in Hemp

Hemp is Cannabis sativa L. with 0.3% or less delta-9 THC by dry weight. The plant makes more than 100 cannabinoids. In hemp, the ones found at the highest levels are CBDA, CBD, CBGA, CBG, CBCA, CBC, plus small amounts of THCA and delta-9 THC.

Cannabinoids vs Terpenes: What's the Difference?

CBGA sits at the start of the pathway. Enzymes in the plant convert CBGA into CBDA, CBCA, and THCA. Heat removes a carboxyl group from each acid form and yields CBD, CBC, and THC.

major cannabinoids thc cbd cbg and more

CBDA and CBD

CBDA is the acid form of CBD. Fresh hemp flower holds more CBDA than CBD. Decarboxylation, or heating, converts CBDA into CBD. High-CBD hemp cultivars test between 5% and 15% CBD in dried flower after decarboxylation. CBD shows low direct affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, so its pharmacology differs from THC.

cannabis cannabinoids chart and their effects

CBGA and CBG

CBGA is the first cannabinoid built in the plant. CBG comes from CBGA after heat. Most hemp flower tests under 1% CBG. Some CBG-dominant breeding lines test above 10% CBG in dried flower.

CBC and CBCA

CBC starts as CBCA. Levels in hemp flower run from 0.1% to 1%. CBC binds CB1 and CB2 with low potency and acts at several TRP channels.

CBDV, THCV, and CBN

CBDV and THCV carry a shorter side chain than CBD and THC. Both appear at low levels in hemp. CBDV reaches higher numbers in some feral and landrace cultivars. THCV stays under 1% in most hemp. CBN is not built in the plant. It forms when THC oxidizes during storage, and it rises with heat, light, and time.

THCA and delta-9 THC

Hemp carries THCA and small amounts of delta-9 THC. USDA rules count total THC as delta-9 THC plus 0.877 times THCA. The 0.3% limit applies to that total on a dry weight basis. Samples are taken within 30 days before harvest.

Decarboxylation changes the numbers

Heat at 220 to 240 degrees F for 30 to 60 minutes converts most acid cannabinoids to their neutral forms. Raw hemp juice and tinctures from unheated plant material contain CBDA, CBGA, and CBCA. Labels that list just CBD or CBG skip the acid forms.

What to check on a label

• Total THC, not delta-9 THC alone.
• Separate values for CBDA and CBD.
• Harvest date and lab name.
• Limit of quantification when a value reads ND.