Last updated: October 2026
Cannabinoids are compounds that act on the body’s cannabinoid system. Hemp and cannabis contain over 100, but only two are well studied: THC, which is intoxicating and controlled in the UK, and CBD, which isn’t. “Minor” cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, CBN and THCV appear in small amounts, have little human research, and some are illegal in the UK.
Below: a table of the main cannabinoids, their UK legal status and evidence, how they act on the body, and what to look for in a product.
The main cannabinoids at a glance
| Cannabinoid | Intoxicating? | UK status | Human evidence | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBD | No | Legal in compliant food supplements | Many trials; licensed medicine for some epilepsies | CBD benefits |
| THC | Yes | Controlled (Class B) | Many trials; some licensed medicines | CBD vs THC |
| CBG | No | Not controlled; novel food rules apply | A few small studies | CBG vs CBD |
| CBGA | No | Not controlled; novel food rules apply | Lab studies only | What is CBGA? |
| CBC | No | Not named as controlled; novel food rules apply | Lab studies only | What is CBC? |
| CBDV | No | Not controlled; novel food rules apply | Small trials, mixed | What is CBDV? |
| CBN | Mildly | Controlled (Class B) | A few small sleep trials | CBD vs CBN |
| THCV | At high doses | Controlled | A few small trials | What is THCV? |
| Delta-8 THC | Yes | Controlled (Class B) | Very little | What is delta-8? |
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View productWhat are cannabinoids?
| Type | Where they come from | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Endocannabinoids | Made by your body | Anandamide, 2-AG |
| Phytocannabinoids | Made by plants, mainly cannabis and hemp | CBD, THC, CBG |
| Synthetic cannabinoids | Made in a lab | Some medicines, and dangerous illegal “spice” drugs |
The plant first makes CBGA, which enzymes turn into the acid forms of THC, CBD and CBC. Heat converts these into their active forms. See the endocannabinoid system.
What are minor cannabinoids?
Minor cannabinoids are the ones present in small amounts in most hemp. They’re attracting interest, and some brands market blends for sleep or focus. But human research is limited to a handful of small studies, there’s no proof that combining them works better, and several are controlled drugs in the UK. See the entourage effect.
Which cannabinoids are legal in the UK?
THC, CBN, THCV and delta-8 THC are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. CBD products may contain only tiny traces of controlled cannabinoids. CBD, CBG, CBC and CBDV aren’t controlled, but extracts sold as food are novel foods, so they need to go through the FSA’s process. A product sold as “CBN gummies” or “THCV oil” is very unlikely to be legal here. See is CBD legal in the UK?
What this means when you buy CBD
- Broad spectrum contains CBD plus small amounts of other legal cannabinoids, with THC removed. See full vs broad spectrum.
- Check the lab report lists cannabinoids, with THC and CBN at non-detectable levels. See how to read a lab report.
- Be sceptical of products promising specific effects from tiny amounts of minor cannabinoids.
Our oils are broad spectrum and on the FSA public list. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Related guides
- Terpenes are a separate family of plant compounds. See terpenes vs cannabinoids.
- How CBD distillate keeps minor cannabinoids.
- Hemp and marijuana are the same species bred for different cannabinoid profiles; see hemp vs marijuana.
- For quick definitions of these and other CBD terms, see our CBD glossary.
- Minor cannabinoids are kept or lost during refining; our guide to CBD extraction walks through each step.
Sources 4
- legislation.gov.uk. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2.
- Home Office. Drug licensing factsheet: cannabis, CBD and other cannabinoids.
- FSA. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance.
- Lu HC, Mackie K. An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biol Psychiatry, 2016.
