What are minor cannabinoids?

Minor cannabinoids are the more than 120 cannabinoids that cannabis makes in smaller amounts than THC and CBD, such as CBG, CBC, CBN and THCV. Most come from the same parent compound, CBGA. They are less studied than THC and CBD: research so far is mostly in cells and animals, and evidence for effects in people is limited.

What are minor cannabinoids?

Cannabis makes a family of compounds called cannabinoids. Two of them, THC and CBD, usually dominate. The rest are called minor or rare cannabinoids. A 2021 review counts "over 120 other cannabinoids that are referred to as minor and/or rare cannabinoids", produced in smaller amounts and derived, like THC and CBD, from cannabigerolic acid (Walsh et al., 2021). In total, more than 560 constituents have been identified in cannabis (ElSohly et al., 2017).

"Minor" describes the amount in the plant, not how interesting a compound is. Some minor cannabinoids, such as CBG, can be bred up to much higher levels in specific varieties. Others, such as CBL (cannabicyclol), are breakdown products that form as cannabis ages.

Which minor cannabinoids are best known?

The acid forms, such as CBGA, CBDA and CBCA, are often counted as minor cannabinoids too. They turn into their neutral forms when heated; see how heat affects cannabinoids.

How do minor cannabinoids work in the body?

Our knowledge is incomplete. According to the 2021 review, studies show that minor cannabinoids "act as agonists and antagonists at multiple targets including CB1 and CB2 receptors, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), serotonin 5-HT1a receptors and others" (Walsh et al., 2021). CB1 and CB2 are the two main receptors of the endocannabinoid system; CB1 is found mainly in the brain and CB2 mainly in the immune system (Zou and Kumar, 2018).

Some minor cannabinoids are broken down by the body into further active compounds. In one laboratory study, human liver enzymes turned CBG into metabolites that were themselves biologically active (Roy et al., 2022).

What does research say about minor cannabinoids?

Most of it is early. A 2025 systematic review of minor cannabinoids in mental health found 22 preclinical studies and only one clinical study. The authors described the results as heterogeneous, with a moderate to high risk of bias in several articles, though some compounds were judged worth further study (Cammà et al., 2025). The 2021 review notes that "initial clinical reports suggest" potential in several areas, but that knowledge of how these compounds act "is incomplete" (Walsh et al., 2021).

Minor cannabinoids are being studied, not proven. For an overview of research we follow, see our scientific research page.

Why are minor cannabinoids hard to study?

• Small amounts: most occur at low levels in the plant, so isolating enough pure material is costly.
• Similar structures: closely related molecules are hard to separate and measure.
• Instability: acid forms turn into neutral forms with heat and time, and THC slowly becomes CBN. THCA can also oxidise into CBNA (cannabinolic acid).
• Legal status: some minor cannabinoids are controlled drugs, which limits research and sale.

Are minor cannabinoids legal in the UK?

It depends on the compound. The Home Office states that "Cannabinol is a Class B drug under Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the MDA 1971", and it expects producers of CBD products to show compliant levels of Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC and CBN (Home Office, 2024). For CBD products in general, read is CBD legal in the UK?

Are minor cannabinoids in CBD oil?

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils keep small amounts of other cannabinoids from the plant, while isolate products contain CBD alone. See full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs isolate and the debated entourage effect. A certificate of analysis shows which cannabinoids were measured in a batch; our guide to reading a certificate of analysis explains how to check. For a CBG product, see our CBG oils.