is cbg legal in all states?

Did you know that 12% of Americans regularly smoke cannabis? While this number is increasing, many people are still hesitant to try cannabis products with THC in them.

That’s why cannabinoid products like CBD have spiked in recent years. But, CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid out there. There are hundreds. One of the popular ones is CBG. But, exactly what is CBG?

And are CBG strains legal to produce and consume? If you want to know the answer to these questions, and more, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn everything about this rising cannabinoid.

CBG is a type of cannabinoid known as cannabigerol. Many people refer to CBG as the mother of all cannabinoids. That’s because before any cannabinoid ever forms, it starts as a precursor molecule.

Specifically, this molecule is known as cannabigerolic acid (or CBGa), which is CBG in its rawest form. So, before popular cannabinoids like CBD and THC come into being, they’re CBGa.

But don’t worry. Unlike THC, CBG won’t get you high. It’s hard to find CBG in mature plants because it’s usually already converted into CBD or THC. But, you can find it in high concentrations in young plants.

And growers are learning to produce specific CBG flower strains that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids. That has led to the development of a whole line of CBG products.

Since CBG doesn’t contain any THC, it doesn’t provide any psychoactive effects. This is interesting because CBG binds to the CB1 receptor that’s typically responsible for intoxication.

Different people report different things with CBG mental effects. Some note that it produces calming effects within them without any sedation. Other people say that it can improve their focus and mental clarity.

Unlike CBD, there are very few studies on CBG to confirm these findings. But, that should change in the coming years. For now, it seems that CBG acts quite similarly to CBD. This makes sense since CBD comes from CBG.

Yes, CBD is legal in the United States. This is thanks to the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill. This federal law made hemp plants, and all the cannabinoids they contain, legal.

You can both produce them and consume them. The caveat here is that hemp plants must contain .03% or less THC.

So, while cannabis with high psychoactive THC content remains illegal federally, all other cannabinoid products are legal. That means you can enjoy CBD, CBN, and of course, CBG without breaking the law.

For the time being, there is no upcoming federal legislation to challenge the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill. So, we can expect all of these products to remain legal for the foreseeable future.

You should make sure to check local laws wherever you travel. But, under international law, CBG should be legal.

This is because it’s not listed in either the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 or the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. So, as long as it has less than .03% THC, you should be fine.

Unfortunately, the FDA is still quite strict about any cannabis-derived products. That’s why CBD, CBG, and all other cannabinoids haven’t been approved as official drugs.

This is important because, according to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act’s section 201(ff)(3)(B), it can’t be marketed or sold as a dietary supplement.

What’s more, it’s also not allowed to be used in animal feed, food, and drinks. However, the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act may change that. A committee is currently reviewing the law.

But, if it goes through, it would allow hemp products in food, drinks, animal feed, and dietary supplements.

Like CBD, you can find CBG in many different products. One of the popular forms is the hemp flower which contains high concentrations of cannabinoids.

You can smoke this, and the CBG will be absorbed in your lungs. Or, you can purchase pre-rolls if you don’t have anything to smoke with. If you don’t prefer smoking, don’t panic.

There are lots of other products out there. One popular one is oil tinctures. You can place an eyedropper of it under your tongue. Or you can put it in your food and drinks.

This is one of the best options if you’re worried about dosing. You can also find CBG in many types of edibles. Gummies are typically one of the more popular forms. If you want a good value, consider purchasing CBG distillate.

This is a highly refined extract of the version. You can find CBG in tiny capsules as well. This is a good option if you travel a lot but still want access to CBG products.

Cannabis sativa (C. Sativa), or Indian hemp, is a herbaceous plant native to central and western Asia. Many people refer to C. Sativa as cannabis. Individuals cultivate this plant for medical purposes and for hemp, a natural textile fiber.

According to a 2022 article, C. Sativa contains over 400 chemical compounds, and around 80 of them are biologically active. The most significant compounds in cannabis are cannabinoids.

The most important psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other identified cannabinoids present in cannabis include CBD and CBG.

CBD is a cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. It is psychoactive, but unlike THC, it does not cause the “high” sensation that many people associate with using cannabis.

Imaging studies show that CBD can cause significant alterations in brain activity and connectivity patterns.

Research also suggests that CBD may offer benefits to people with certain medical problems, such as:

Learn more about the benefits of CBD oil.

CBG is another cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. The substance works similarly to CBD by binding to the same receptors in the brain.

Although there is more research into CBD’s effects on people, research on CBG is growing.

Some studies suggest that CBG may provide therapeutic potential in treating:

Cannabigerol is considered a federally legal compound as long as it comes from Farm Bill compliant hemp crops.

This compound is controlled by the same regulations that manage CBD, so as long as the CBG extract comes from hemp strains that contain no more than 0.3% THC, it's legal. However, some states may have other regulations regarding the compound.

In this article, we'll get into everything you need to know about shopping for high-quality, legal CBG products.

CBG or cannabigerol is sometimes called the "mother of all cannabinoids." That's because its raw form, cannabigerolic acid (CBGa), is the precursor molecule to many other cannabinoids including, THC and CBD [2].

You won't find high concentrations of CBGa in mature plants as they would have transformed into THC and CBD, so they're most abundant in young cannabis plants. Because of this, CBG oil can be difficult to source, but as more interest surrounding CBG's potential benefits grow, manufacturers are breeding high CBG strains and refining their extraction methods to yield higher concentrations of CBG naturally.

Researchers have not focused on CBG half as much as CBD, which makes sense as it's not as abundant in the mature cannabis plant.

From our current understanding, the main difference between CBG and CBD is their molecular structure which affects how they interact (pharmacology).

The molecular structure refers to the atomic arrangement.

CBD's shape does not allow it to interact with endocannabinoid receptors very well, so it tends to have an indirect effect. Instead, it works by inhibiting the release of enzymes that break down internally produced cannabinoids.

CBG has the potential to bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors to elicit its effects, similar to THC [3].

The main reason that THC is illegal and CBD is not is because of its intoxicating effects.

THC molecules can bind to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, inducing a sense of euphoria and altering our perception [4, 5].

While CBG can bind to these receptors, it doesn't produce the same effects. Rather, its ability to bind to the CB1 receptor without intoxication has led some researchers to speculate that it may reduce the intoxicating effects of THC by binding to these same receptors.

There's still not enough research on CBG To prove it would make an effective compound in medical treatments. However, in animal pre-clinical studies, it's found to have potential towards supporting brain health and a healthy inflammation response.

The legal aspect of cannabis products is a bit complicated. The state laws and federal laws are not always on the same page.

Previously, hemp-derived products were prohibited in the United States. But in 2018, Congress passed the Farm Bill and consequently legalized the production and sale of hemp crops and its derivatives.

The legal distinction between hemp and marijuana crops lies in their delta-9 THC content. Farm Bill compliant hemp crops cannot contain more than 0.3% THC by dried weight. This minor amount of THC isn't enough to produce intoxication in most people, which is why it's legal.

The cannabinoid industry is still new, and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is doing its best to protect the safety of consumers by placing standards for manufacturing, processing, and advertising standards. However, some products made with synthetic cannabinoids—which are illegal— or marijuana plants still make it into the market.

It's your job as a responsible consumer to ensure you're getting effective and safe CBD and CBG products to avoid legal trouble.

It can be hard to differentiate between good CBG products and bad ones.

If you were to look for CBG oil 5 or 6 years ago, you probably wouldn't have much luck. Today, it seems like there's a new CBG-based product launching every week. Here are some tips to help you navigate the market for safe, effective, and legal CBG.

Like CBD, CBG is found in both marijuana and hemp plants, and its legal status is regulated by the 2018 Farm Bill, which means for your CBG product to be legal, it must come from hemp.

Marijuana and its derivatives are still on the list of controlled substances.

Always check to see that the hemp source is listed on the product.

Unfortunately, we can't always trust the packaging on our cannabis products, which is why you must shop with brands that get their extracts tested by a third-party lab for a Certificate of Analysis (CoA).

The CoA tells you exactly what's in the extract from the cannabinoid profile and potency, terpenes, and potential contaminants.

Just like CBD, you can find CBG extracts in full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolates. These refer to the cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

It's much easier for manufacturers to isolate CBG and sell it in bulk, so they tend to be much cheaper, but it's difficult to source a high CBG strain of young hemp plants and maintain a powerful phytochemical profile, but this will deliver the strongest and well-balanced health benefits that CBG may offer.

CBG that comes from the hemp plant is legal in the United States.

Those on the pulse of the cannabis industry have had minor cannabinoids like CBG on their radar for quite some time, but research surrounding its potential health benefits is still relatively new.

Still, many people are turning to CBG to support their lifestyle, especially when improving productivity or comforting tired muscles and joints.

For more resources like this on cannabinoids, you can browse our blog or sign up to our Insider Scoop for updates, and exclusive Neruogan offers straight to your inbox.

CBG, also known as cannabigerol, is known as the “mother of all cannabinoids” because its raw form, cannabigerolic acid (CBGa), is the precursor molecule to many other cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.

CBG and CBD differ primarily in their molecular structure, which influences how they interact (pharmacology). But CBG has received half the attention from researchers as CBD, which makes sense given that it is not as abundant in mature cannabis plants.

Cannabigerol is a federally legal compound as long as it is derived from hemp crops that comply with the Farm Bill. However, some states may have additional restrictions on the compound.

Minor cannabinoids like CBG have been on the radar of cannabis industry watchers for quite some time, but research into their potential health benefits is still in its early stages. Nonetheless, many people are turning to CBG to supplement their lifestyle, particularly when it comes to increasing productivity or relieving tired muscles and joints.

Here comes another cannabinoid boom market. If you haven’t seen it yet, just look around: CBG (or cannabigerol) is suddenly everywhere, packaged in oils, tinctures, capsules, gum, and in whole-plant flower.

Does it live up to its promise? It depends on who you’re asking. Most conventional wisdom around marijuana is dead wrong, a knowledge problem created by prohibition but sustained—and, in many ways, encouraged—by the modern-day cannabis industry.

D.A.R.E. class told you cannabis had one active ingredient, THC. Then you find out it has several hundred. Then came wellness influencers, from Gwyneth Paltrow and GOOP to the corner bodega, telling you all about the magic of CBD—and packaging that touted “healthy” cannabinoids in food and beauty products. “THC bad! CBD good!” was the very incorrect shorthand framing many confused Americans were left with, despite very little evidence of CBD’s power and THC’s demonstrated potential in pain relief, appetite stimulation, and even fighting cancer.

CBG is more untested. Unlike THC, which is banned by federal law and heavily regulated by states, and unlike CBD, which is increasingly policed by the Food and Drug Administration, there are no rules around CBG yet.

As a result, “there is growing interest in the commercial use of this unregulated phytocannabinoid,” as Kent Vrana, an eminent pharmacologist at Penn State College of Medicine and expert in cannabinoids put it in a recent article.

So what is CBG, what does it do—and how do we know any of this? More to the point: should you buy some and try some, while the researchers and medical experts try to figure all this out? And what should you make of the cannabis industry’s marketing efforts in the meantime?

Though still relatively unknown, CBG isn’t “new” to science, but the new market hype underscores the scientific ignorance.

As Vrana notes, “Cannabigerol (CBG) is currently being marketed as a dietary supplement and, as with cannabidiol (CBD) before, many claims are being made about its benefits.”

But, “[u]nlike CBD, however, little research has been performed on this unregulated molecule.”

It’s hardly abundant, with harvested cannabis plants generally made up of about 1 percent CBG content by weight, which begs questions as to how cannabis companies are harvesting enough of it or breeding plants differently to market products boasting of 20 percent CBG.

The knowledge gap and scarcity haven’t stopped entrepreneurs from “searching for the next economic market, and it appears CBG oil may prove to be that market,” Vrana wrote—and this is despite both a knowledge gap and some not insignificant risks.

“There is simply insufficient experience with this relatively rare phytocannabinoid and the potential for adverse effects is high,” Vrana wrote.

To be clear, CBG does seem to have legitimate medical potential, both based on very recent studies and scientific principles.

A recent study suggested the cannabinoid has real potential as an antibiotic. It has also been pushed as the “thin” cannabinoid, with potential in weight-loss therapies and metabolic diseases. And indeed, a recent review of CBG’s pharmacological effects touted its potential as a treatment for metabolic syndrome.

You may see CBG marketed as the “mother of all cannabinoids.” This is because the first identifiable cannabinoid the cannabis plant produces is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is then converted into the biosynthetic precursors to THC and CBD. However, notably, there is little CBG in the final plant.

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD “work” by binding to specific receptors in the human nervous system. Activity at these receptors helps regulate key body functions like mood, appetite, and sleep. Importantly, though CBG appears to behave more like THC than CBD at some receptors, CBG also appears to work on different receptors than the ones activated by THC and CBD.

Most importantly, CBG seems to a very powerful agonist of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor. From a medical standpoint, this is the most “potentially important” discovery.

Drugs or therapies targeting that receptor have been used in the treatment of a host of maladies, ranging from opiate withdrawal and cigarette cravings to hypertension, anxiety, pain, and ADHD.

But none of this is to say that CBG mixtures available on the market can mimic pharmaceutical drugs that target that receptor. In fact, like CBD, CBG might be problematic when combined with pharmaceutical drugs.

“From the potency of CBG at this adrenergic receptor, ingestion may unpredictably change blood pressure, induce sedation, and interact with other cardiovascular medications,” Vrana wrote.

And though it appears the alpha-2 activity is sign enough the cannabinoid will have significant medical potential, “there are reasons to monitor high dose CBG for untoward side effects beyond drug-drug interactions.” The opposite of hypertension is hypotension, or low blood pressure. The feeling of lightheadedness or “blacking out” called orthostatic hypotension has been documented among cannabis users—might CBG play a role here?

It might, yes. CBG may also interact with other drugs and create unanticipated complications or undesired results. And there is the additional question of what effect CBG will have on its own or when combined with other cannabinoids.

All this is to say that there is more we don’t know than we do know about CBG. How much do you need, and for what purpose? These are all questions that only more time and more research will answer. In the meantime, plenty of CBG products are available.