The Complete List of Cannabinoids in Cannabis

You’ve probably heard of THC and CBD by now. But they’re only two pieces of a much bigger picture. The cannabis sativa plant contains a wide range of cannabinoid compounds, each with its own unique characteristics. Some appear in large amounts, while others show up in trace levels.

To make sense of it all, this guide breaks down the full list of cannabinoids found in cannabis. Plus, we give some additional information on the cannabinoids you should explore a bit more. Keep reading to learn more.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are natural chemical compounds found in cannabis, and they also exist inside your body. The cannabinoids your body produces are called endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids for short. They play a role in the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps keep things like mood, behavior, and overall balance running smoothly. This is why scientists often describe it as the body’s internal balancing system.

Cannabis produces its own set of cannabinoids, known as phytocannabinoids. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the most familiar. These plant-based cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors and influence how the body responds to internal and external changes. Once you look beyond THC and CBD, you’ll find a surprisingly diverse group of natural cannabinoids, each with its own chemical structure and purpose within the plant.

List of Cannabinoids - How Many are There in Cannabis?

The difference between major and minor cannabinoids comes down to concentration. Major or primary cannabinoids appear in relatively high amounts in most cannabis plants. THC and CBD fall into this category. They often make up a large percentage of the plant’s cannabinoid profile.

Minor cannabinoids exist in much smaller quantities, sometimes only in trace amounts. Even though they appear less frequently, they still contribute to the plant’s overall complexity. As testing methods improve and cannabinoid research expands, many of these natural compounds once considered “minor” continue to gain interest.

List of Cannabinoids - How Many are There in Cannabis?

Some researchers estimate around 60 identified cannabinoids. Others place that number well over 100. This wide range exists because many cannabinoids appear in extremely small amounts. This makes them difficult to detect and study with consistency.

Scientists also continue to discover new cannabinoids as testing methods improve. In late 2019, researchers identified compounds like THCP and CBDP. This sparked renewed interest due to their unique structures and strong receptor activity.

While debate continues, many trusted sources currently agree that cannabis contains around 113 known cannabinoids (some current reports claim as high as 150). As research evolves, that number will likely keep growing.

Complete List of Cannabinoids in Cannabis

Below is a comprehensive list of cannabinoids that researchers have identified and categorized so far. While not all of them appear in every strain—or in meaningful amounts—they each play a role in expanding our understanding of how complex the cannabis plant really is.

Cannabicyclols

• Cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA)
• Cannabicyclol (CBL)
• Cannabicyclovarin (CBLV)

Cannabichromenes

• Cannabichromene (CBC)
• Cannabichromevarinic acid (CBCVA)
• Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA)
• Cannabichromevarin (CBCV)

Cannabielsoins

• Cannabielsoin (CBE)
• Cannabielsoin acid A (CBEA-A)
• Cannabielsoic acid B (CBEA-B)

Cannabitriols

• 10-Ethoxy-9-hydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol
• 8,9-Dihydroxy-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol
• Cannabitriol (CBT)
• Cannabitriolvarin (CBTV)

Cannabidiols

• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM)
• Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
• Cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA)
• Cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1)
• Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
• Cannabidiphorol (CBDP)

Cannabigerols

• Cannabigerol (CBG)
• Cannabigerovarin (CBGV)
• Cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA)
• Cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM)
• Cannabigerolic acid monomethylether (CBGAM)
• Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA)

Cannabinols and Cannabinodiols

• Cannabinolic acid (CBNA)
• Cannabinodiol (CBND)
• Cannabinodivarin (CBVD)
• Cannabinol (CBN)
• Cannabiorcool (CBN-C1)
• Cannabivarin (CBV)
• Cannabinol methylether (CBNM)
• Cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2)
• Cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4)

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinols

• Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC)
• Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ8-THCA)

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinols

• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4 (THC-C4)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THC-C1)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiorcolic acid (THCA-C1)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid B (THCA-B)
• Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP)

Other Cannabinoids

• 10-Oxo-delta-6a-tetrahydrocannabinol (OTHC)
• Cannabichromanon (CBCF)
• Cannabifuran (CBF)
• Cannabiglendol
• Delta-9-cis-tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC)
• Cannbicitran (CBT)
• Dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF)
• Tryhydroxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC)
• Cannabiripsol (CBR)

What are the Most Popular? List of Cannabinoids

Every cannabinoid contributes to the cannabis plant’s overall makeup. However, a smaller group stands out due to how often they appear and how much research surrounds them. These cannabinoids tend to show up more consistently in products and discussions. Below are some of the most well-known and widely studied cannabinoids and their effects.

THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol

THC is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis, responsible for the classic “high” that people associate with marijuana. Researchers discovered THC in the 1960s and found that it interacts mainly with CB1 receptors in the brain. This influences mood, perception, and sensory awareness.

Many cannabis users gravitate toward THC for how it can affect appetite, relaxation, creativity, and overall comfort. Because THC produces noticeable psychoactive effects, it can also bring temporary downsides like red eyes, short-term memory issues, or feeling sluggish if taken in higher amounts.

CBD – Cannabidiol

Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It doesn’t create an intoxicating experience, which is why many people like to explore CBD. Even though CBD and THC share a similar chemical structure, they interact with the human body in distinct ways.

Researchers believe CBD influences the endocannabinoid system indirectly. This helps explain why it appears in so many CBD-exclusive wellness products. CBD derived from hemp is federally legal in the U.S., thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as it meets THC limits.

CBG – Cannabigerol

CBG often gets called the “parent cannabinoid” because the plant uses it to create other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Early in the cannabis growth cycle, the plant produces CBG in higher amounts. Those levels usually drop as it converts into other compounds.

CBG may also have its own potential therapeutic benefits, particularly neuroprotective properties. Thanks to modern growing practices, some strains today have over 20% CBG. Fun fact: Our select CBG strain at Cheef Botanicals offers 21.8% Cannabigerol.

CBDV – Cannabidivarin

CBDV is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that researchers first identified in 1969. It appears most often in cannabis varieties that contain higher levels of CBD. Structurally, CBDV closely resembles CBD, but it interacts with the body in its own distinct way.

Interest in CBDV continues to grow as scientists explore how it engages with the central nervous system. As testing improves, CBDV continues to move out of obscurity and into wider discussion.

THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin

THCV looks similar to THC but features a slightly different structure. It appears in much smaller amounts in most cannabis plants, though certain strains naturally produce higher levels. Many say this cannabinoid produces effects that are lighter and shorter-lived than traditional THC.

You’ll often find THCV mentioned in strain descriptions that highlight clarity or a more upbeat feel. As interest grows, breeders and researchers continue to explore where it fits within the broader cannabinoid lineup.

CBC – Cannabichromene

CBC ranks as one of the more common cannabinoids found in cannabis, right behind THC and CBD. Unlike THC, CBC doesn’t produce intoxicating effects.

Researchers have studied CBC for decades. Dating back to the 1970s, it appeared prominently in landrace strains from India. Today, researchers continue to study CBC because of how it engages with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. It also interacts with other pathways in the body, which helps explain why it frequently appears in discussions about the “entourage effect.”

Want to learn more about the “entourage effect? Read this next: Should I Take CBD With THC or Without it? 

THCA – Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

THCA is a naturally occurring, non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in raw cannabis plants. Unlike THC, THCA doesn’t produce a “high” in its original form. But once THCA heats up through smoking, vaping, or cooking, it converts into THC through a process called decarboxylation.

THCA often makes up a large portion of fresh plant resin. It sometimes accounts for 50–90% of the cannabinoid content in certain concentrates before heat exposure. This unique behavior makes THCA especially interesting to consumers and researchers alike.

CBGA – Cannabigerolic Acid

CBDA, the acidic precursor to CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It has the nickname “the mother cannabinoid” because most cannabinoids start here. Inside the cannabis plant, enzymes convert CBGA into THCA, CBDA, and CBCA, which later become THC, CBD, and CBC once heat enters the process.

Most cannabis strains contain CBGA during early growth. Levels drop as the plant matures and converts it into other compounds. While research on this compound remains limited, scientists recognize its foundational role in cannabinoid development.

CBDA – Cannabidiolic Acid

CBDA is the acidic precursor to CBD and appears naturally in raw hemp and cannabis plants. In its original form, CBDA doesn’t cause intoxication. But heat through smoking, vaping, or cooking, CBDA converts into CBD, similar to how THCA turns into THC.

Studies suggest CBDA engages with 5-HT1A serotonin receptors, which play a role in mood, sleep, and emotional balance. Because of this interaction, CBDA continues to attract interest from both researchers and consumers.

Related Article: CBDa vs CBD

CBN – Cannabinol

CBN forms when THC breaks down over time due to exposure to light, heat, or air. Because of this, people often associate CBN with older or improperly stored cannabis. This explains why it shows up more frequently in aged flower.

Interest in CBN dates back decades. Archaeologists even discovered cannabis with high CBN content in a 2,700-year-old grave in China. Today, CBN continues to draw attention for how it differs from THC while remaining closely connected to it.

Delta-8 THC

Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in very small amounts in cannabis and hemp. It shares a nearly identical structure with Delta-9 THC. However, a small variation changes how Delta-8 interacts with cannabinoid receptors.

Because cannabis produces Delta-8 at such low levels, manufacturers typically create it by converting hemp-derived cannabinoids. Many describe Delta-8 as offering a more subtle, clear-headed experience compared to Delta-9 THC.

THCP

THCP, short for tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is one of the most recently discovered cannabinoids. An Italian research team identified it in 2019. What makes THCP stand out is its chemical structure, which allows it to bind strongly to cannabinoid receptors even in very small amounts.

THCP occurs naturally in cannabis, but only in trace levels. Early findings suggest it may affect endocannabinoid signaling and binding more efficiently than THC. As testing methods improve, THCP continues to spark interest.

Other Elements in Cannabis

Cannabinoids affect how cannabis looks, smells, and feels. But other natural elements in the plant also influence its overall character and complexity. Two of the most talked-about are terpenes and flavonoids. These compounds help explain why two cannabis strains with similar cannabinoid profiles can still feel very different.

Terpenes

Terpenes give cannabis strains their distinct aromas and flavors. The plant produces these aromatic compounds to protect itself from predators and attract pollinators. But they also shape how each strain feels. Cannabis contains over 100 identifiable terpenes, and each strain carries its own unique terpene profile.

Beyond smell and taste, terpenes may influence how cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system. Some terpenes tend to feel calming, while others feel more uplifting or focusing.

Related: CBD and Terpenes 

A few commonly found terpenes include:

• Pinene. Fresh, pine-like aroma often associated with a clear, calming feel. Commonly found in strains like Blue Dream and Bubba Kush.
• Terpinolene. Fruity and herbal with an energizing reputation. Frequently appears in strains such as Golden Pineapple, Chernobyl, and Jack Herer.
• Limonene. Bright citrus aroma that many people associate with an upbeat, lively experience. Found in strains like White Fire OG, Do-Si-Dos, and Wedding Cake.
• Myrcene. Earthy and herbal with a grounding presence. Common in strains such as Harlequin, OG Kush, and Cannatonic.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids don’t get as much attention as cannabinoids or terpenes, but they still play an important role in cannabis. These plant compounds appear throughout nature—over 6,000 flavonoids exist—and they give plants their color.

In cannabis, flavonoids help explain why some strains show deep purple, blue, or reddish hues. The plant produces around 20 known flavonoids, which make up roughly 10% of its compounds. The most highly active flavonoids in cannabis include:

• Cannaflavin A
• Cannaflavin B
• Cannaflavin C
• Orientin
• Quercetin
• Silymarin
• Kaempferol

While research remains early, scientists believe flavonoids may influence how cannabis interacts with the body, especially when combined with cannabinoids and terpenes. One compound in particular, Cannaflavin A, has drawn interest for its potential biological activity. Studies claim that this flavonoid may interact with the immune system.

List of Cannabinoids - Final Thoughts

Beyond CBD and THC lies a vast network of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. All these work together to influence various bodily functions, from neurotransmitter release to immune responses. Researchers continue to study these compounds, explaining the growing interest in cannabinoid benefits.

As cannabis use becomes more widely accepted, scientists continue to explore cannabinoids within experimental therapeutics. Even with ongoing studies, the story of cannabinoids remains one of discovery rather than final answers.

What’s clear is this: Cannabis isn’t powered by a single compound. It’s driven by synergy, chemistry, and complexity. And as cannabis research continues to evolve, the cannabinoid conversation is only just getting started.

Author Bio

Olivia Richman Writer

Olivia connects industry trends with practical advice to simplify your choices.