LightLab 3 Tests the Potency of Seven Major Cannabinoids

Major Cannabinoids Analyzed by LightLab 3

Δ9-THC Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Δ9-THC is the “active” or “neutral” form of THC. This is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid seen in cannabis plants. Plants do not directly produce Δ9THC. Instead, THCA is converted into Δ9THC through a process called decarboxylation. Decarboxylation occurs when the plant is smoked, otherwise heated, or exposed to light. Typically, plants have 0-5% Δ9THC. High levels of Δ9THC in plant material indicate the plant may not have been stored or cured well or may be old.

Total Δ9THC indicates the total quantity of Δ9THC if the sample was completely decarboxylated. Decarboxylation is the conversion of THCA to Δ9THC in the presence of heat or light. During the decarboxylation process, a CO2 molecule is released, so a THCA molecule will weigh less once it is converted to Δ9THC. For that reason, the total “potency”, or how much psychoactive Δ9THC a user would be dosed with requires a conversion factor. The “total Δ9THC” factors in the loss of weight of THCA when converting to Δ9THC. The equation used is as follows: Total Δ9THC= 0.877xTHCA + Δ9THC; This number is an indication of the overall “potency” of the sample.

THC-A Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

THC-A is the “acidic” form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis plants naturally produce THCA and is the primary cannabinoid that will be present in most cannabis strains. Typically, plants have 10-20% THCA. A higher THCA number means a more potent plant.

CBD Cannabidiol

CBD is the neutral form of CBDA. Cannabis plants do not create CBD directly; however, this cannabinoid can be formed through the same decarboxylation process described above.

Total CBD: This number indicates the total quantity of CBD if the sample was completely decarboxylated. Decarboxylation is the conversion of CBDA to CBD in the presence of heat or light. During the decarboxylation process, a CO2 molecule is released, so a CBDA molecule will weigh less once it is converted to CBD. For that reason, the total CBD potential, or how much CBD a product will contain once fully decarboxylated requires a conversion factor. The “total CBD” factors in the loss of weight of CBDA when converting to CBD. The equation used is as follows: Total CBD= 0.877xCBDA + CBD

CBD-A Cannabidiolic Acid

CBDA is the CBD analog to THCA. It is the acidic form of CBD that plants produce. Typical non-CBD specific strains will have 0-2% CBDA. CBD Specific plants typically contain 5-20% CBDA. CBDA is not psychoactive.

CBN Cannabinol

CBN is a breakdown component of Δ9THC. It is mildly psychoactive and sedative. Fresh cannabis plants typically show no CBN. Very old plants may contain 0-5% CBN. CBN can also be generated during extraction or distillation, and commonly occurs at 0-5% levels in extracted samples. More CBN is typically undesirable and is an indication of too much heat or exposure to environmental factors.

CBG Cannabigerol

CBG is the neutral form of CBGA, akin to CBD vs CBDA. CBG is often found in concentrates at low levels since plants that are harvested earlier contain CBGA, which is then decarboxylated during the extraction process. Note CBG is a calculated value in LightLab since CBG and CBD have nearly identical chromatographic retention times.

CBG-A Cannabigerolic Acid

CBG-A is a precursor molecule to THCA and CBDA. When a plant produces cannabinoids, it always produces CBGA first, then an enzymatic process converts CBGA to THCA and/or CBDA. CBGA can be used as an indicator of harvest readiness. If >1% CBGA is present in a sample, it typically means the plant can continue to produce active cannabinoids. A CBGA value of <1% is typically desirable. Plants commonly contain between 0-4% CBGA.