The difference between synthetic vs natural cannabinoids is where they come from: natural cannabinoids are made by the cannabis plant, while synthetic ones are made by chemical synthesis. Some synthetic cannabinoids are exact copies of plant compounds, such as dronabinol (synthetic THC). Others, sold as "Spice" or "K2", are new molecules that bind cannabinoid receptors far more strongly than THC and cause more severe harm.
Key facts
- Natural cannabinoids
- Made by Cannabis sativa, for example CBD, THC, CBG and CBN
- Synthetic copies
- Lab-made molecules identical to plant ones, such as dronabinol (THC)
- Synthetic receptor agonists
- New molecules ("Spice", "K2"); most bind the CB1 receptor more strongly than THC
- Potency in studies
- Synthetic cannabinoids showed effects 2–100 times more potent than THC in lab and animal studies
- UK legal status
- THC and many synthetic cannabinoid groups are Class B drugs; pure CBD is not controlled (Home Office, as of October 2026)
Prefer watching? This video covers the main points.
What are natural cannabinoids?
Natural cannabinoids, also called phytocannabinoids, are the compounds the cannabis plant makes in its resin glands. The best known are THC, which is intoxicating, and CBD, which is not. The plant makes many more, including CBG, CBC and the acid forms such as CBDA.
In a plant extract they come together with terpenes and other compounds. Their amounts vary with the variety, the growing conditions and the extraction method.
What are synthetic cannabinoids?
"Synthetic cannabinoid" covers two very different groups.
The first group are lab-made copies of plant molecules. Dronabinol is synthetic THC, with the same structure as the THC in cannabis. Nabilone is a related synthetic cannabinoid. In the UK, NICE lists both among cannabis-based medicinal products (NICE, NG144).
The second group are synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, sold as "Spice", "K2" or "legal highs". Scientists first made them to study the endocannabinoid system. Clandestine labs then used the published data to make designer drugs, and kept changing the structures to avoid drug laws and standard drug tests (Castaneto et al., 2014).
Synthetic vs natural cannabinoids: how do they compare?
| Feature | Natural (plant) cannabinoids | Synthetic receptor agonists ("Spice") |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Made by the cannabis plant | Made by chemical synthesis |
| Action at CB1 | THC is a partial agonist; CBD does not activate it | Usually full agonists with higher affinity than THC |
| Potency | Depends on the compound | 2–100 times more potent than THC in lab and animal studies |
| CBD present | Often, depending on the plant | No |
| Predictability | Well-studied compounds | Structures change often; content of a product is unknown |
| UK status | THC: Class B. Pure CBD: not controlled | Many are Class B under generic definitions |
Sources for the table: Castaneto et al., 2014; van Amsterdam et al., 2015; Home Office, 2024; Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2.
Why are synthetic cannabinoids more dangerous than cannabis?
Mainly because of potency. THC only partly activates the CB1 receptor. Most synthetic receptor agonists activate it fully and bind it more strongly, so a small amount has a large effect (van Amsterdam et al., 2015).
Reviews list the reported harms: racing heart, high blood pressure, chest pain, vomiting, kidney injury, agitation, psychosis and, in some cases, death (Castaneto et al., 2014; Cohen and Weinstein, 2018). Products also contain no CBD, and the authors of one review suggest this may add to the risk of psychosis (van Amsterdam et al., 2015).
Users usually cannot know which compound, or how much, a packet contains. That unpredictability is a large part of the danger.
Is synthetic CBD the same as natural CBD?
As a molecule, yes. CBD made by synthesis has the same structure as CBD from hemp. What differs is everything around it. A hemp extract carries other cannabinoids and terpenes, while synthetic CBD is a single pure compound, like a CBD isolate. Our guide to full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate explains why that matters to some buyers.
Semi-synthetic cannabinoids sit in between. HHC, for example, is made from hemp-derived CBD: the CBD is first converted into a THC mixture, which is then hydrogenated (Ujváry, 2024). Read more in What is HHC? Another example is THC-O acetate, which is made by reacting THC with acetic anhydride.
Are synthetic cannabinoids legal in the UK?
Mostly not. Cannabinol and its derivatives, including THC, are Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Home Office, 2024). The Act also uses generic definitions that cover whole families of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, so new variants of a known structure are controlled too (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2). Pure CBD, as an isolated substance, is not controlled.
From our production
We don't sell HHC or any other cannabinoid that intoxicates, and we don't sell THCA products that turn into THC when heated.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between synthetic vs natural cannabinoids?
Natural cannabinoids are made by the cannabis plant. Synthetic cannabinoids are made by chemical synthesis. Some are exact copies of plant compounds, such as dronabinol (THC); others are new molecules, sold as "Spice", that act much more strongly on cannabinoid receptors.
Are synthetic cannabinoids stronger than THC?
Most street synthetic cannabinoids are. They usually activate the CB1 receptor fully and bind it more strongly than THC, and lab and animal studies found effects 2 to 100 times more potent.
What is Spice?
Spice and K2 are names for plant material sprayed with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists. The compounds change often, so users cannot know what they are taking. Many are Class B drugs in the UK.
Is synthetic CBD the same as CBD from hemp?
The molecule is the same. Synthetic CBD is a single pure compound, while a hemp extract also contains other cannabinoids and terpenes.
Is HHC natural or synthetic?
HHC is semi-synthetic. Large-scale HHC is made from hemp-derived CBD in two chemical steps, not extracted directly from the plant.
Related guides
This article summarises published research. It is not medical advice. Formula Swiss CBD oils are sold as cosmetics for use on the skin. They are not food supplements or medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- Castaneto MS, Gorelick DA, Desrosiers NA, Hartman RL, Pirard S, Huestis MA. Synthetic cannabinoids: epidemiology, pharmacodynamics, and clinical implications. Drug Alcohol Depend 2014;144:12–41. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.08.005
- van Amsterdam J, Brunt T, van den Brink W. The adverse health effects of synthetic cannabinoids with emphasis on psychosis-like effects. J Psychopharmacol 2015;29(3):254–263. doi:10.1177/0269881114565142
- Cohen K, Weinstein AM. Synthetic and non-synthetic cannabinoid drugs and their adverse effects: a review from public health prospective. Front Public Health 2018;6:162. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00162
- Ujváry I. Hexahydrocannabinol and closely related semi-synthetic cannabinoids: a comprehensive review. Drug Test Anal 2024;16(2):127–161. doi:10.1002/dta.3519
- NICE. Cannabis-based medicinal products (NG144): recommendations and terms used. nice.org.uk
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids (updated 3 October 2024). gov.uk
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2. legislation.gov.uk
