Cannabinoids are the compounds behind the best-known effects of cannabis, and many of them act on receptors in your body's endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD get most of the attention, but researchers have identified more than 100 types of cannabinoids in the plant, most of them in tiny amounts. This guide explains what cannabinoids are, how many there are, how the common ones compare, how they act in the body and how to use cannabinoid information when you shop.
What cannabinoids are
Cannabinoids come in three families:
- Phytocannabinoids are made by the cannabis plant, such as THC, CBD and CBG.
- Endocannabinoids are made by your own body. The two best studied are anandamide and 2-AG.
- Synthetic cannabinoids are made in a lab.
In the plant, cannabinoids form in the trichomes, the tiny resin glands on the flowers, alongside terpenes. The plant makes them in acid form first. A parent compound called CBGA is converted into THCA, CBDA or CBCA, and heat later turns those acids into THC, CBD and CBC. Some cannabinoids act directly on the body's cannabinoid receptors, while others, like CBD, work in different ways.
How many cannabinoids there are
Estimates keep growing as lab methods improve. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says the plant contains at least 125 different cannabinoids. A widely cited 2011 review counted more than 100, while noting that many are artefacts of lab analysis or occur only in trace amounts.
In practice, only a handful show up in meaningful amounts. Most dispensary flower is dominated by THCA, with CBD-rich strains as the main exception, and the rest usually make up a small share.
Common types of cannabinoids at a glance
| Cannabinoid | What it is | Intoxicating? | What research says so far |
|---|---|---|---|
| THC (delta-9) | The main active form, created when THCA is heated | Yes | The best-studied cannabinoid; effects depend on the dose |
| THCA | The acid form of THC in raw cannabis | Not on its own; heat turns it into THC | Mostly lab and animal research |
| CBD | The other major cannabinoid, dominant in hemp | No | Can cause side effects such as drowsiness |
| CBDA | The acid form of CBD | Not shown in human studies | Early research |
| CBG | Forms from CBGA, the parent of the major acids | Not shown in human studies | Weak activity at CB1 and CB2 in lab tests |
| CBN | Forms as THC breaks down with age | Less potent than THC at CB1 | Often marketed for nighttime use; little evidence it aids sleep |
| CBC | Forms from CBCA | Not shown in human studies | Early research |
| THCV | A close relative of THC with a shorter side chain | Not clearly; lab findings are mixed | Can block or activate cannabinoid receptors, depending on the study |
Others, such as CBDV, appear only in small amounts, and research on them is just as early.
Because heat converts the acids, labels for raw flower often list THCA and CBDA alongside THC and CBD. To estimate what you'll get after heating, labs combine those figures into total THC and total CBD, so those are the numbers to compare.
THC vs. CBD
You'll see THC and CBD on nearly every label, and they behave very differently.
| THC | CBD | |
|---|---|---|
| Intoxicating? | Yes | No |
| How it works | Activates the CB1 receptor in the brain | Works in other ways; doesn't produce a high |
| Possible side effects | Anxiety or panic, especially at high doses | Drowsiness, decreased appetite, stomach upset |
| Where it dominates | Most dispensary flower | Hemp and CBD-rich strains |
| On a Michigan label | Listed | Listed |
- THC has intoxicating effects. It can temporarily alter your mood, thoughts and perceptions. Anxiety, fear and panic are more likely after a large amount or a strong product, especially for people with little experience. Learn more in our guide to THC.
- CBD is not intoxicating like THC. It isn't free of effects, though: it can cause drowsiness, decreased appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.
Cannabis products of either kind can interact with other drugs, which is one more reason to talk with your clinician if you take medications. Testing has also found CBD products with different amounts than their labels show, and some sold as CBD have contained THC. Labels on licensed Michigan products list both THC and CBD content, along with a statement that actual values may vary by 10%.
Minor cannabinoids: CBG, CBN, CBC, THCV and others
"Minor" simply means a cannabinoid usually present in small amounts. A 2021 research review found that none has yet been shown in clinical studies to act as a psychotropic drug, and that our knowledge of how they work is still incomplete. Here's a short guide to each.
CBG
CBG comes from CBGA, the parent compound the plant converts into the major cannabinoid acids. Because most of it gets converted, mature flower rarely holds much CBGA, and lab data show CBG usually makes up around 1% or less. In lab tests, it shows weak activity at both CB1 and CB2. Read more in our CBG guide.
CBN
CBN isn't made directly by the plant. It forms as THC breaks down with age, heat and light, which is why older flower can contain more of it. It acts on the same CB1 receptor as THC, but less potently. CBN is often sold for evening use, though a research review found little evidence that it promotes sleep. See our CBN explainer.
CBC
CBC forms from CBCA, a sibling of THCA and CBDA. It's present in small amounts and hasn't been shown to be intoxicating in human studies. Research on its effects is early, as our CBC guide explains.
THCV
THCV is a close relative of THC with a shorter side chain. Some lab studies show it blocking cannabinoid receptors, while animal studies show it activating them, so how it acts in people is still unclear. It usually appears only in small amounts.
Others
CBDV, acid forms such as CBDA and dozens of trace compounds round out the list. Most have been studied only in the lab.
How cannabinoids act in the body: the endocannabinoid system
Your body has its own cannabinoid system, called the endocannabinoid system. It's made up of cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoids your body produces, and the enzymes that build and break them down. Our endocannabinoid system explainer covers it in full.
The two best-known receptors are:
- CB1, the main cannabinoid receptor in the central nervous system. Most of the body's CB1 receptors are in the brain, which is why THC changes mood and perception.
- CB2, found mainly on immune cells, with smaller amounts in other tissues.
THC activates CB1, much as the body's own anandamide does, and that's the source of its high. CBD works differently and doesn't produce intoxication. Researchers are still mapping how the minor cannabinoids interact with these receptors and with other targets.
The system's jobs are still being worked out. Researchers have found it involved in processes such as pain signaling, and they're still charting its other roles. That's one reason claims about what a given cannabinoid "does" should be read with care: knowing that a compound touches a receptor in a lab dish isn't the same as knowing what it does in a person.
Cannabinoids vs. terpenes
Cannabinoids and terpenes are made side by side in the trichomes, but they do different jobs. Terpenes, not cannabinoids, are responsible for the aroma of cannabis, and more than 200 have been reported in the plant. Many are common in foods and fragrances, from citrus to pepper to pine.
| Cannabinoids | Terpenes | |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Compounds linked to the endocannabinoid system | Aromatic compounds made by many plants |
| Where you notice them | Effects, such as the high from THC | Smell and flavor |
| How many in cannabis | More than 100 | More than 200 |
| Found elsewhere? | Mostly unique to cannabis | Common in foods and fragrances |
| On a Michigan label | THC and CBD content are required | Not among the required items |
Some researchers think terpenes may shape how cannabinoids feel, an idea called the entourage effect. The evidence so far is mixed. Our cannabis terpenes guide explains what's known.
Using cannabinoid info when you shop
- Read both numbers. Michigan labels list THC and CBD content. On flower, look for total THC, which counts THCA after heating.
- Mind the ratio. Comparing the THC and CBD figures shows whether a product is THC-dominant, CBD-dominant or balanced.
- Match the format to your goal. Swallowed products start later and last longer than inhaled ones.
- Approach minor-cannabinoid claims with care. Products featuring CBN, CBG or THCV can be interesting to try, but their effects are still being studied.
- Ask questions. Our budtenders can explain what's on a label and how products compare, though they can't give medical advice.
Here's how that looks in practice. A flower label showing 22% total THC, under 1% CBD and 1% CBG describes a THC-dominant strain with a little CBG. A tincture listing 10 mg of CBD and 1 mg of THC per serving is CBD-dominant, with a small amount of THC. Comparing those numbers, rather than the product name, tells you what you're buying.
Flower, pre-rolls, vape pens, concentrates and edibles are all on High Society's menu, and selection varies by store. Shopping is for adults 21 and older, or 18 and older with a valid medical marijuana card.
