The CBG FAQ — Your Guide To Cannabigerol
- Cannabigerol (CBG) is a cannabinoid found in a handful of cannabis strains.
- CBG is a precursor to other cannabinoids.
- CBG is thought to have similar effects to CBD.
- Any product that can be made with CBD can also be made with CBG.
- Anyone can buy CBG online without a medical marijuana card.
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG) is slowly gaining recognition among cannabis aficionados. Many are claiming that CBG surpasses both THC and CBD in providing relief from certain medical conditions.
At present, most people are well aware of both the intoxicating and medicinal properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidiol (CBD), the potent non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound is also valued for its medical benefits. Both CBD and CBG produced from hemp (low-THC cannabis) gained nationwide legal status a few years ago.
THC and CBD have been clinically researched for decades. However, cannabigerol has yet to be researched in a meaningful way. Thus far CBG’s medical efficacy is mostly backed up by anecdotal evidence.
In this article, we’ll discuss all things CBG — where it’s found, its effects, medicinal benefits, and where to procure CBG products.
What is CBG? (cannabigerol)?
More than 120 known cannabinoids are found in the resinous, aromatic flower clusters of the cannabis plant. Cannabigerol is a minor cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant. CBG has similar properties to CBD.
CBG is actually the non-acidic form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) which is found in raw cannabis flower. CBGA is the parent molecule from which other cannabinoids are synthesized as the flower clusters mature. So CBGA is a precursor to major cannabinoids such as CBDA and THCA.
Is CBG Intoxicating?
CBG is non-intoxicating. It produces no psychotropic effects.
What products contain CBG?
Several products are now available that contain CBG.
- CBG flower (for smoking, vaping, and cooking)
- CBG oil
- CBG edibles
- CBG isolates
- CBG concentrates
- CBG tablets and capsules
- CBG tinctures
- CBG-infused topicals
Any product that can be infused with CBD can also be made using CBG.
Can I buy pure CBG?
Yes. The purest form of CBG is CBG isolate powder. CBG isolate is 99 percent pure.
CBG isolate is made using the same purification process used to isolate CBD and THC. This product can be mixed into any liquid or food, as well as consumed with a dabbing rig.
Is CBG legal?
CBG products produced from hemp are legal in most U.S. states under the 2018 Farm Bill. CBG can also be legally extracted from the hemp plant.
Unlike CBD, CBG has not received approval as a dietary supplement or pharmaceutical product by the FDA.
Can CBG make you fail a drug test?
It’s unlikely that CBG use will cause a user to fail a marijuana drug test. However, not all product labels are accurate. Cannabinoids derived from both hemp and marijuana might contain small amounts of THC that could possibly be detected in a drug test. It may also show up in a roadside sobriety test.
What are the physical effects of CBG?
The human body is capable of producing cannabinoids known as endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids produced in plants are known as phytocannabinoids.
Phytocannabinoids mimic the human body’s natural cannabinoids to varying degrees. Phytocannabinoids interact with endocannabinoid receptors found on the surface of cells.
This complex system of receptors and naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds is known as the human endocannabinoid system, or ECS.
The main function of the ECS is to effectively maintain homeostasis — meaning “balanced health.” Many aspects of the human body are regulated by the ECS, including appetite, sleep cycles, neural activity, inflammatory response, immune response, and pain response.
Here are some of the ways in which CBGA and CBG are known to affect the body:
- Pain reliever
- Antianxiety
- Antidepressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immunoregulatory
- Neuroprotectant
- Antitumor
- Antibacterial
- Appetite stimulant
- Muscle relaxant
Many of these effects are similar to those provided by CBD. However, in some cases, CBG is reported to exceed the benefits of CBD.
Does CBG produce any unwanted side effects?
There has not been enough substantive clinical evidence to fully understand CBG’s effects. Anecdotally, CBG may cause drowsiness but has no apparent long-term side effects.
Do any strains of cannabis contain CBG?
CBG is a relative newcomer in the cannabis industry and cultivators are only in the early stages of developing strains with a high CBGA content. In recent years, strains of cannabinoid-rich hemp have been bred to produce high levels of CBG.
Researchers have successfully produced cannabis strains with high levels of naturally occurring CBGA. This is a result of genetic manipulation to reduce the production of enzymes involved in converting CBGA into other cannabinoids as the flower clusters mature.
There are a few popular strains containing high levels of CBGA.
- Super Glue CBG – 22 percent CBG
- Lemon Cream Diesel CBG – 20 percent CBG
- White CBG – 20 percent CBG
- Jack Frost CBG – 13.5 percent CBG
Can you buy CBG online?
Anyone can buy CBG online or at some local shops without a medical marijuana card. In states with medical and recreational marijuana programs, CNG can also be obtained in marijuana dispensaries. However, some of these CBG products may also contain THC.
How much does CBG cost?
Prices for CBG products vary widely. On average customers pay anywhere from $50 to $110 for 500 mg of CBG oil depending on the formulation.