CBN (Cannabinol)
Definition
An oxidation product of THC that accumulates as cannabis ages. High CBN:THC ratio is a qualitative marker of old or degraded cannabis material. Molecular formula C21H26O2.
- Origin
- Oxidation product of THC
- Molecular formula
- C21H26O2
- Marker use
- High CBN:THC ratio indicates aged or degraded material
- Psychoactivity
- Much weaker than THC
Common questions
Why would a forensic chemist care about the CBN:THC ratio in a seized sample?+
A high CBN:THC ratio suggests the material has been stored for a long time or exposed to heat, light or air, which can help corroborate or challenge claims about when a sample was produced or how long it has been in someone's possession.
Does a high CBN level mean the sample is less potent for intoxication purposes?+
Generally yes, because CBN forms as THC degrades and is considerably less psychoactive, so cannabis with elevated CBN and reduced THC will typically produce weaker intoxicating effects than fresher material with the same original THC content.
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....
- CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid)
- The universal biosynthetic precursor to the major cannabinoids. Formed in cannabis trichomes by condensation of geranyl pyrophosphate and olivetolic acid; converted to...
- 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...