CBG

CBG, or cannabigerol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa. It is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids identified in cannabis and is studied for its potential therapeutic properties, though robust clinical evidence is limited.

Biochemistry and plant biology

CBG is closely linked to the plant’s biosynthetic chemistry. In cannabis, the precursor molecule CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is formed from olivetolic acid and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. Enzymes then convert CBGA into the major cannabinoids THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. When these acids are decarboxylated by heat or aging, CBGA yields CBG. In most cannabis varieties, CBG occurs at low levels (roughly a fraction of a percent of dry weight), but breeders have developed strains with higher CBG content.

Occurrence and production

CBG is typically present in trace amounts in mature plants, though some cultivars are bred to accumulate higher CBG levels. In production, CBG is often obtained by extracting biomass rich in CBGA and then decarboxylating to CBG, or by selecting high-CBG strains and employing purification methods such as solvent extraction or supercritical CO2 extraction to isolate CBG.

Pharmacology and potential uses

CBG has relatively weak activity at the classical endocannabinoid receptors, with interest focusing on other molecular targets such as TRP channels and PPARs. Preclinical studies have explored anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties, but clinical evidence remains limited. CBG is generally considered non-psychoactive compared with THC.

Legal and regulatory context

Regulation of CBG follows broader cannabinoid rules and often aligns with the status of cannabis or hemp in a given jurisdiction. In jurisdictions permitting hemp products, CBG products are typically allowed if total delta-9 THC remains below defined limits, though rules vary by country and region.