CBG: Everything You Need To Know

By Jeff Eckenrode

Cannabis weed marijuana CBD THC CBG — Photo credit: Elsa Olofsson

Quick Answer: CBG (cannabigerol) is the "mother of all cannabinoids" — the first compound a cannabis plant produces, from which THC and CBD are later derived. Though present in only small amounts in mature plants, CBG is non-intoxicating, mood-lifting, and potentially beneficial for pain, nausea, and inflammation. Known affectionately as "CBGiggles" for its giddy uplifting effects!

By now, you’ve likely heard somebody you know talk about CBD and its uses for treating anxiety, sleeplessness, or physical discomfort.

You may have even tried it for yourself by buying a CBD pre-roll, vaporizing cartridge, edible, or topical.

And although CBD gets a lot of attention for its therapeutic benefits (and rightfully so, too), CBD is just one type of the dozens of stress-relieving and restorative molecules found naturally in marijuana.

If you’re looking to learn more about cannabis and how it can help improve your everyday life, then you’ve come to the right place!

Today, we’re going to take a deep dive and discover the extraordinary features and benefits of one of marijuana’s rarer cannabinoids called “CBG”.

What’s CBG?

CBG is short for “cannibigerol” and is the third most common, naturally-occurring compound found in cannabis.

Like other chemically-unique molecules found in cannabis (called “cannabinoids”), CBG has several remarkable properties that can evoke unique effects on the human body.

Why have I heard about CBD but not CBG before?

CBD, like THC, is considered a “major cannabinoid” by most cannabis researchers. That’s because it is one of the most common cannabinoids found in marijuana.

However, the cannabis plant produces over 100 other “minor cannabinoids”. And unlike THC or CBD, these minor cannabinoids are only found in very small amounts.

CBG is one of these naturally occurring and rare minor cannabinoids.

Like most minor cannabinoids, CBG wasn’t discovered until the 1960s. So cannabis researchers are only now beginning to understand its properties and potential benefits.

If CBG is so rare, then what’s the big deal about it?

Don’t be mistaken: CBG’s description as a “minor cannabinoid” refers only to its relative abundance in cannabis. Its power and effects, however, are anything but minor.

What are CBG’s effects?

Anecdotally, CBG is reported to have pain-relieving effects, much like CBD.

Recent research indicates that CBG can be effective in treating chronic illnesses in animals, including inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS/IBD).

CBG also has antiseptic and antibiotic properties, which can be effective in fighting difficult infections, including MRSA.

Why is CBG only produced in small amounts?

CBG is often referred to as “the mother of all cannabinoids” because it is the first cannabinoid the plant produces. Its acidic form, CBG-A, is the original compound from which many other cannabinoids are derived from, including CBD and THC.

As a cannabis plant grows, its CBG molecules change into different cannabinoids as a natural result of photosynthesis. You can think of cannabinoids like CBD and THC as the “children” of CBG.

CBG is most frequently found in strains of cannabis that have a low amount of THC and a high amount of CBD.

What are the benefits of CBG?

Often referred to as “CBGiggles” by budtenders, CBG is known for its tendency to uplift one’s mood. As a result, CBG often provides feelings of giddy, goofy elation.

In terms of its potential benefits, CBG may be effective in treating pain, nausea, and inflammation.

Many people utilize the power of CBG’s stress fighting and anxiety relieving properties.

Where can I find CBG Products?

Whether you’re shopping online or in Redmond, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes CBG Flower, pre-rolls, vapes and more!

Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.

shop CBG in Redmond

FAQ CBG

What is CBG and how is it different from CBD?

CBG stands for cannabigerol, and while it shares some similarities with CBD — both are non-intoxicating, both are found in cannabis, and both have attracted attention for potential wellness applications — they are distinct compounds with different effects and a different relationship to the plant. CBD is a major cannabinoid found in relatively high concentrations in many cultivars. CBG is a minor cannabinoid present in only small amounts in mature plants — but it's actually the precursor from which both CBD and THC are synthesized. Think of CBG as the parent and CBD and THC as its children. Despite being less abundant, CBG's effects are genuinely distinct from CBD rather than simply weaker.

Why is CBG called the "mother of all cannabinoids"?

The nickname comes from CBG's foundational role in the plant's biochemistry. Early in a cannabis plant's growth cycle, it produces CBGA (cannabigerolic acid) as its primary cannabinoid. As the plant matures, enzymes convert CBGA into the precursors for THC, CBD, and CBC. In other words, most of the cannabinoids you know — including the most famous ones — began their existence as CBG before being transformed by the plant's own chemistry. By the time a cannabis plant is mature enough to harvest, most of its CBG has already been converted, which is why it's only found in small residual amounts in finished flower.

What effects does CBG produce?

CBG is non-intoxicating — it won't produce the psychoactive effects associated with THC — but its effects are genuinely distinctive from CBD. Budtenders at Hashtag affectionately call it "CBGiggles" because CBG is notably associated with uplifted, giddy, goofy elation rather than the calm, grounding quality more typical of CBD. Many consumers describe CBG as producing a clear-headed, focused, mood-brightening experience. It also has reported benefits for pain, nausea, and inflammation, and research has shown promising results for its antibiotic properties including potential effectiveness against difficult infections like MRSA.

Why is CBG so hard to find in cannabis products?

Because it's present in only trace amounts in most mature cannabis plants. The plant converts nearly all of its CBG into other cannabinoids as it grows, leaving only a small percentage behind. This makes CBG-rich cultivars relatively rare — they require either early harvesting before full conversion, or selective breeding specifically to produce and retain higher CBG levels. As the cannabis industry has developed more sophisticated breeding programs and lab testing capabilities, CBG-focused cultivars have become more available, but they're still significantly less common than high-THC or high-CBD options.

Where does CBG appear most commonly in cannabis products?

CBG is most commonly found in strains with naturally lower THC content and higher CBD content — the biochemistry of the plant tends to preserve more CBG when less is being converted into THC. It shows up most reliably in full-spectrum products, which preserve the complete cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant rather than isolating a single compound. Dedicated CBG flower, vapes, and tinctures are increasingly available as breeders develop cultivars optimized for CBG content. At Hashtag, our budtenders can help you identify products with measurable CBG content from our current menu.

How does CBG work alongside other cannabinoids?

CBG is a strong contributor to the entourage effect — the principle that cannabinoids work better together than in isolation. When present alongside CBD and THC in full-spectrum products, CBG may enhance the mood-lifting and focus-supporting qualities of the overall experience. Research suggests CBG and CBD may have complementary mechanisms of action, with CBG potentially amplifying some of CBD's effects while adding its own distinct mood-elevating character. For consumers building a cannabis wellness routine around specific effects, understanding how CBG interacts with other cannabinoids is increasingly valuable as product transparency improves.