Understanding CBD and CBN: Cannabinoids Beyond THC

THC gets most of the attention, but cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids. Here's the factual science on two of the most discussed: CBD and CBN.

The cannabis plant produces more than 100 known cannabinoids. THC is the most familiar because it is the one responsible for intoxication, but two others come up constantly in questions at our counters: CBD and CBN. Here is the factual science on both — what they are, where they come from, and what remains unknown.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in most cannabis varieties and the most studied after THC. The key facts:

• CBD is non-intoxicating. It does not produce the impairment associated with THC.
• CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors found throughout the body, though it binds differently than THC does.
• Research into CBD is ongoing and much of it is still early. We do not make health claims about CBD, and consumers should be skeptical of anyone who does. CBD products sold in licensed cannabis stores are not approved health products.

CBD appears in a wide range of regulated formats: oils, capsules, edibles, beverages, topicals, and CBD-rich dried flower. Products are often described by their CBD-to-THC ratio — a 20:1 product is predominantly CBD, while a 1:1 product contains equal parts.

CBN (Cannabinol)

CBN is a cannabinoid with an interesting origin: it is primarily formed by the degradation of THC. As cannabis ages and is exposed to oxygen, heat, and light, THC gradually converts to CBN. Fresh flower contains very little CBN; older flower contains more.

The key facts:

• CBN is only mildly intoxicating relative to THC.
• It appears in regulated products — typically oils, capsules, and edibles — usually in small amounts (2 to 10 mg) and often combined with THC, CBD, or both.
• Research on CBN in humans is limited. Claims about its effects outrun the evidence, and we do not repeat them.

Reading the Label

Cannabinoid content is printed on every regulated product label. For products containing CBD or CBN, the label lists milligrams per unit and per package (for edibles and extracts) or percentage content (for flower). This labelled, lab-tested content is the reliable way to know what a product contains — a significant difference from the unregulated market.

What Science Still Doesn't Know

The endocannabinoid system was only characterized in the 1990s, and rigorous human research on individual cannabinoids remains limited. Anyone with questions about cannabis and their health should speak with a healthcare provider — retail staff, including ours, are not qualified to give medical advice and are prohibited from doing so.

Cannabis products are for adults 19 and over in British Columbia. Staff at any Hive Cannabis location can show you the labelled cannabinoid content of any product we carry.