Cannabis contains a diverse family of naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids. Although THC and CBD receive the most attention, they represent only a small part of the plant’s chemistry.
This Mandi Cruz Media collection introduces 10 important cannabinoids through visual flash cards covering their basic characteristics, primary biological targets, current evidence, intoxicating potential, plant forms, and molecular structures.
Use these cards to strengthen cannabis-science vocabulary, understand the difference between acidic and neutral cannabinoids, and approach product labels and certificates of analysis with greater confidence.
Explore the Cannabinoid Galaxy
Delta-9-THC
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly called THC, is the primary intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis. Its effects can vary considerably depending on dose, route of administration, tolerance, formulation, and individual biology.
THCA
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is the acidic precursor to THC found in fresh cannabis. THCA is not typically intoxicating in its native form, but heat can remove carbon dioxide through decarboxylation and convert it into THC.
CBD
Cannabidiol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp. Unlike THC, CBD has low direct affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors and influences the endocannabinoid system through several indirect pathways.
CBDA
Cannabidiolic acid is the acidic precursor to CBD. It is abundant in fresh, raw CBD-dominant cannabis and converts into CBD through decarboxylation caused by heat, light, or time.
CBG
Cannabigerol is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid. Its acidic precursor, CBGA, contributes to the formation of several major cannabinoid families within the cannabis plant.
CBGA
Cannabigerolic acid is sometimes called the “mother cannabinoid” because specialized plant enzymes convert it into acidic cannabinoids such as THCA, CBDA, and CBCA.
CBN
Cannabinol is a minor cannabinoid that forms primarily as THC oxidizes and degrades. It is often associated with older cannabis or products exposed to oxygen, light, heat, and time.
CBC
Cannabichromene is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid produced when its acidic precursor, CBCA, loses carbon dioxide through heat or time. Much of the research surrounding CBC remains preclinical.
THCV
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is a naturally occurring relative of THC with a shorter propyl side chain and complex, dose-dependent activity. Its effects and intoxicating potential should not be assumed to match those of THC.
CBDV
Cannabidivarin is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid related to CBD but distinguished by a shorter propyl side chain. Research has examined CBDV’s interactions with several transient receptor potential channels and other biological targets.
Understanding Acidic and Neutral Cannabinoids
Fresh cannabis contains many cannabinoids primarily in their acidic forms. THCA, CBDA, CBGA, and other cannabinoid acids can change when exposed to heat, light, and time.
During decarboxylation, an acidic cannabinoid loses carbon dioxide and becomes its corresponding neutral cannabinoid:
THCA becomes THC.
CBDA becomes CBD.
CBGA becomes CBG.
CBCA becomes CBC.
THCVA becomes THCV.
CBDVA becomes CBDV.
This is one reason raw cannabis, heated cannabis, and finished cannabis products can have very different chemical profiles.
From Memorization to Cannabis Literacy
Cannabis literacy is not about memorizing a list of promised effects. It is about learning how cannabinoid chemistry, dose, route, formulation, terpene content, personal biology, tolerance, and context can work together to shape an experience.
These flash cards provide a starting point for comparing cannabinoids and recognizing them on product labels and certificates of analysis. They should be used as educational references—not as guarantees that a particular compound or product will create a specific outcome.
Save this visual guide and return to it whenever a new cannabinoid appears on a label or laboratory report.
The more you know, the more you glow.
Mandi Cruz Media
Science Meets Stardust™
Educational Notice
This article and its flash cards are provided for general educational purposes only. They are not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Research quality varies substantially among cannabinoids, and many proposed effects remain based on laboratory, animal, preclinical, or limited human evidence. Individual responses can vary.
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