Glossary · Cannabinoid
Cannabinoid
Cannabinoid is the family name for the active chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with your body's endocannabinoid system. The plant makes over 100 of them. THC and CBD are the two most abundant. Each one shapes the look, feel, and labeling of what you buy.
Also known as: cannabinoids, phytocannabinoid, phytocannabinoids
- Type
- Active cannabis compounds
- Number in cannabis
- Over 100 identified
- Most common
- THC and CBD
- Acts on
- Endocannabinoid system
What a cannabinoid is
Cannabinoids are the active compounds the cannabis plant produces. They are the reason cannabis does what it does. Scientists have identified well over 100 of them, though most products lead with just a few. The ones made by the plant are called phytocannabinoids. Your own body also makes its own versions, called endocannabinoids, and labs can produce synthetic ones too.
Why it matters when you shop
When a budtender talks about THC, CBD, CBN, or CBG, all of those are cannabinoids. They are the dials that change how a product behaves. THC is the one most associated with the classic high. CBD is non-intoxicating and is often paired with THC. The mix and amounts of cannabinoids in a product help set the experience people report. Effects may vary. Please consume responsibly.
- ·THC: the most abundant intoxicating cannabinoid, often linked to euphoria
- ·CBD: non-intoxicating, frequently blended with THC
- ·CBN, CBG, CBC, THCV: minor cannabinoids found in smaller amounts
- ·All of these are 21+ products in New York
How cannabinoids work in the body
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors found throughout the body and brain. THC, for example, binds to a receptor called CB1, which is concentrated in the nervous system. This interaction is the general mechanism behind reported effects. Sensitivity differs a lot from person to person, so the same product can feel different to two people.
Cannabinoids on a New York label
In New York, OCM rules require product labels to list cannabinoid content. You will typically see Total THC and Total CBD shown in milligrams per serving and per package, plus a percentage. A scannable QR code links to the Certificate of Analysis, the lab document that verifies what is actually inside. Reading the cannabinoid numbers is the fastest way to compare two products.
What is a cannabinoid in simple terms?
A cannabinoid is one of the active chemical compounds in cannabis. The plant makes over 100 of them, and they interact with your body's endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD are the two best known. Their amounts, listed on every New York label, shape what a product is like.
FAQ · Cannabinoid
How many cannabinoids are in cannabis?
Researchers have identified well over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, with some counts going past 150. Most products feature only a handful, like THC and CBD, because those occur in the largest amounts and are the most studied.
Are THC and CBD both cannabinoids?
Yes. THC and CBD are the two most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis. THC is the main intoxicating one, while CBD is non-intoxicating. Minor cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, and CBC appear in smaller amounts and may show up on your product label too.
Where do I find cannabinoid info on a product?
On any New York adult-use product, the label lists cannabinoid content, usually Total THC and Total CBD in milligrams and as a percentage. Scan the QR code to pull up the Certificate of Analysis, the lab report confirming exactly what is inside.
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