SHEET /vs/cannabidiol-vs-cannabigerol · COMPARISON
Cannabidiol vs Cannabigerol: what is the difference?
How they differ
Cannabigerol is the precursor that the cannabis plant builds most of its other cannabinoids from, including cannabidiol, which is why mature plants contain very little of it. Both are non-intoxicating and neither activates the CB1 receptor the way THC does. Their structures are close: CBG keeps a straight, open chain where CBD has closed a ring, and CBG carries two more hydrogens, 316.5 against 314.5. Because CBG is consumed by the plant's own synthesis, extracting it commercially means harvesting early or using selectively bred low-conversion strains, which is why CBG products cost more. The research base behind CBG is far thinner than CBD's.
Side by side
| Cannabidiol | Cannabigerol | |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | C21H30O2 | C21H32O2 |
| Molecular weight | 314.5 g/mol | 316.5 g/mol |
| Family | Terpenoids | Terpenoids |
| Everyday group | Plant | Plant |
| Functional groups | Aromatics, Phenols | Aromatics, Phenols |
| GHS signal wordThe supplier-filed hazard label, not a statement about ordinary use. | Warning | Warning |
| CAS number | 13956-29-1 | 25654-31-3 |
| PubChem CID | 644019 | 5315659 |
Common questions
- What is the difference between Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol?
- Cannabigerol is the precursor that the cannabis plant builds most of its other cannabinoids from, including cannabidiol, which is why mature plants contain very little of it. Both are non-intoxicating and neither activates the CB1 receptor the way THC does. Their structures are close: CBG keeps a straight, open chain where CBD has closed a ring, and CBG carries two more hydrogens, 316.5 against 314.5.
- Is Cannabidiol bigger than Cannabigerol?
- Cannabigerol is the heavier molecule, 316.5 g/mol against 314.5 g/mol for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is C21H30O2 and Cannabigerol is C21H32O2.
Read the full records: Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol.