CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid)
Definition
The universal biosynthetic precursor to the major cannabinoids. Formed in cannabis trichomes by condensation of geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid; converted to THCA, CBDA, and CBCA by specific synthase enzymes.
- Role
- Universal biosynthetic precursor of major cannabinoids
- Formed from
- Geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid
- Location
- Cannabis trichomes
- Converts to
- THCA, CBDA, CBCA via specific synthase enzymes
Common questions
Why is CBGA relevant to identifying a cannabis plant's chemotype?+
The particular synthase enzymes a plant expresses determine which acidic cannabinoids CBGA is converted into, so measuring the ratio of downstream products such as THCA and CBDA reveals the plant's genetic chemotype and expected potency profile.
Does a mature cannabis sample still contain much CBGA itself?+
Generally very little, since CBGA is efficiently converted to THCA, CBDA or CBCA during plant growth, so most CBGA measured in a finished product reflects residual, unconverted precursor rather than a major constituent.
Related terms
- Δ9-THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, formed by decarboxylation of THCA. Molecular formula C21H30O2, MW 314.46 g/mol. The 0.3% dry-weight threshold under...
- AMB-FUBINACA (ADB-FUBINACA)
- A third-wave synthetic cannabinoid of the fluorobenzyl indazole carboxamide scaffold identified in the 2016 New York mass-poisoning event; associated with intense, prolonged...
- CBD (Cannabidiol)
- A non-psychoactive cannabinoid and regioisomer of THC with the same molecular formula but a different double bond position. Dominant in hemp varieties....
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- An oxidation product of THC that accumulates as cannabis ages. High CBN:THC ratio is a qualitative marker of old or degraded cannabis...
- Charas
- Under the NDPS Act 1985, the separated resin from cannabis including concentrated preparations and hashish; distinct from ganja (flowering tops) and from...
- Duquenois-Levine Test
- A three-reagent presumptive test for cannabinoids: vanillin + acetaldehyde in ethanol (Reagent 1), concentrated hydrochloric acid (Reagent 2), and chloroform partition (Reagent...
- HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol)
- A hydrogenated form of THC produced by catalytic reduction of the 9-10 double bond, existing as (9R)-HHC (active) and (9S)-HHC (less active)...
- JWH-018
- 1-Pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole; the prototypical first-wave synthetic cannabinoid developed by John W. Huffman at Clemson University and identified in K2/Spice products from 2008. Scheduled...
- Total THC Calculation
- The formula (THCA x 0.877) + Δ9-THC that converts the THCA fraction to its decarboxylated THC equivalent, required by USDA ASTM methods...