What is CBGA (cannabigerolic acid)?

CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) is the first cannabinoid the cannabis plant makes, and the starting point for THCA, CBDA and CBCA. That is why it is often called the "mother cannabinoid". Enzymes in the plant turn most CBGA into those other acids; heat turns what is left into CBG. CBGA is not intoxicating, and research on it is mostly in cells and animals.

What is CBGA?

CBGA is cannabigerolic acid, the acid form of CBG (cannabigerol). In the plant, an enzyme joins two building blocks, olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate, into CBGA. A 2021 review calls CBGA the "core intermediate" that "diverges to provide the cannabinolic acids (THCA, CBDA, and CBCA)" (Tahir et al., 2021).

Which acid a plant makes depends on its enzymes. In fibre hemp, CBDA synthase turns CBGA into CBDA, the dominant cannabinoid; in drug-type cannabis, THCA synthase makes THCA instead (Taura et al., 2007). Some hemp varieties with missing enzymes produce mainly CBGA (Suzuki et al., 2024).

What is the difference between CBDA and CBGA?

CBGA comes first; CBDA is made from it. CBDA synthase cyclises CBGA into CBDA, the acid form of CBD and the main cannabinoid in hemp (Taura et al., 2007). Both are acids that turn into their neutral forms, CBG and CBD, when heated. In a heating study, CBGA and CBDA converted about half as fast as THCA, and both showed some unexplained loss of material along the way (Wang et al., 2016).

For more on the other two, read what is CBDA? and CBD vs CBG.

Why is CBGA called the mother cannabinoid?

Because THCA, CBDA and CBCA are all made from it. Once those acids are heated, they become THC, CBD and CBC. So CBGA sits at the top of the family tree for most of the well-known cannabinoids. Read more in what are minor cannabinoids?

What does research say about CBGA?

CBGA research is at an early stage. The main lines so far:

• Ion channels: in cell studies, CBGA was the strongest inhibitor of the TRPM7 ion channel among the cannabinoids tested. The same group earlier reported effects in a mouse kidney-damage model (Suzuki et al., 2024).
• Seizure models: in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, CBGA had anticonvulsant effects in some tests but was proconvulsant in another, and a high dose increased spontaneous seizures (Anderson et al., 2021). The results were mixed.
• Virus entry in cells: in a 2022 cell-culture study, CBGA and CBDA bound the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and blocked the virus from entering cells (van Breemen et al., 2022). This was a laboratory study. It does not show that any hemp product prevents or treats COVID-19.
• Dogs: in a 90-day study, researchers gave eight beagles soft gels of a hemp extract containing mainly CBDA and CBGA. Both acids were absorbed, and physical exams and blood work stayed unremarkable (Koll et al., 2026).

None of these studies show effects in people. For an overview, see our scientific research page.

Is CBGA in CBD or CBG oil?

Usually only in small amounts. Most CBGA in the plant has already been converted into other acids, and extracts are normally heated (decarboxylated), which turns the remaining CBGA into CBG. Products made from less-heated "raw" extract keep more of the acids. A certificate of analysis made by gas chromatography counts CBGA as CBG, because the test heats the sample; see how to read a certificate of analysis. For a CBG product, see our CBG oils.