# CBG

> CBG (cannabigerol) is the neutral, decarboxylated form of CBGA, the cannabinoid precursor; most plants convert nearly all of it onward, but some cultivars are bred to accumulate it.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbg.html
- Also written: cannabigerol, neutral CBG
- Glossary category: Cannabinoids and terpenes · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

CBG, cannabigerol, is the neutral [cannabinoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md) formed when [CBGA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbga.md) decarboxylates. In most plants it is a minor compound, typically under 1% w/w, because the synthases convert CBGA into [THCA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thca.md), [CBDA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbda.md) or CBCA as fast as it is made. Plants that lack functional synthase activity can't do that conversion, so CBGA builds up instead.

## In practice

"CBG cultivars" are plants bred for non-functional THCA and CBDA synthases, which leaves CBGA as the dominant cannabinoid; COAs from such plants can show CBGA well into double figures with near-zero THCA. In ordinary THC-type flower, a modest CBGA reading is normal and is sometimes higher in earlier-harvested material, since conversion is still underway. GenetixBay makes no claims about CBG's effects.

## Units and formula

Total CBG ≈ CBG + 0.878 × CBGA (the factor differs slightly from [0.877](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/total-thc.md) because CBGA has a slightly higher molecular weight).

## Don't confuse with

- **CBGA**: the acid form and the actual biosynthetic precursor.
- **CBD**: a different neutral cannabinoid, from CBDA.
- **CBN**: a [THC](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thc.md) breakdown product.

## Related terms

[CBGA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbga.md), [THCA synthase](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thca-synthase.md), [CBDA synthase](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbda-synthase.md), [Chemotype ratio](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/chemotype-ratio.md), [Cannabinoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md)

## Read more

- [Chemotype inheritance: how THC and CBD synthase alleles pass on](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/breeding/chemotype-inheritance.md)

## Sources

1. Hanuš LO, Meyer SM, Muñoz E, Taglialatela-Scafati O, Appendino G. 2016. Phytocannabinoids: a unified critical inventory. Natural Product Reports 33(12):1357-1392.
2. Gülck T, Møller BL. 2020. Phytocannabinoids: origins and biosynthesis. Trends in Plant Science 25(10):985-1004.