Cannabinoids 101

What is a cannabinoid, in plain terms?

A cannabinoid is a chemical compound produced by the cannabis plant, mostly in its resin glands, alongside terpenes. Cannabis produces dozens of cannabinoids, but THC and CBD are by far the most abundant and the two Ohio labs report most prominently on every certificate of analysis.

Cannabinoids are chemically distinct from terpenes, which is why they are reported as separate percentages on lab results even though both come from the same resin glands. Ohio testing rules require licensed labs to screen for a defined panel of cannabinoids and contaminants before a batch can be released to a dispensary.

The plant produces most cannabinoids first as an acidic form, such as THCA or CBDA, which converts toward THC or CBD when heated, a process called decarboxylation. That is part of why raw flower and a lit flower behave differently chemically, even before anything else changes.

What is THC, chemically?

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid primarily responsible for the intoxicating effect associated with cannabis. It is the compound Ohio law regulates by percentage on dispensary labels and the one measured against the state’s adult-use possession limits.

THC percentage is printed on every flower, pre-roll, vape, and concentrate label sold at The Garden, since Ohio testing rules require it. See what THC percentage actually tells you for why that single number is a limited predictor of effect on its own.

Fresh flower mostly contains THCA, the acidic precursor, rather than active THC. Heat converts THCA to THC, which is why lab reports sometimes list both a THCA percentage and a calculated total THC percentage side by side.

What is CBD, and how is it different from THC?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, meaning it does not produce the high associated with THC. It is chemically related to THC but binds differently in the body, and Ohio dispensaries carry CBD-forward flower, tinctures, and topicals alongside standard THC products.

CBD and THC share the same molecular formula but a different structure, which explains why they interact with the body so differently despite both coming from the same plant. Many products at The Garden are formulated with a specific THC-to-CBD ratio printed on the label.

CBD-forward products are common in the tinctures and topicals category, where shoppers often want a non-intoxicating or low-intoxication option. See tinctures explained and topicals explained for how those formats use CBD specifically.

What are CBN and CBG, and where do they come from?

CBN, or cannabinol, forms as THC degrades over time or with heat exposure, making it more common in aged flower. CBG, or cannabigerol, is the chemical precursor that other cannabinoids are synthesized from earlier in the plant’s growth, which is why it is sometimes called the parent cannabinoid.

CBN is not produced directly by the plant in large amounts. It accumulates as THC oxidizes, so products marketed specifically for CBN content are typically formulated or aged to produce it deliberately, rather than relying on natural degradation alone.

CBG appears early in the plant’s flowering cycle and converts into THCA or CBDA as the plant matures, depending on its genetics. Because most CBG converts before harvest, dispensary products with meaningful CBG content usually come from strains bred specifically to retain it.

Where does cannabinoid information show up when I shop at The Garden?

Every product label lists total THC and CBD percentage as required by Ohio testing rules, and select products list CBN, CBG, and other minor cannabinoids when present in meaningful amounts. Ask a budtender at either store to walk through a specific label if anything is unclear.

Ohio’s testing requirements are covered in more detail in our guide to Ohio cannabis testing, and label formatting specifically in how to read a cannabis label.

Both Garden locations carry a range of products across the cannabinoid spectrum, from standard THC flower to CBD-forward tinctures. Check the live menu for Camp Washington or Sycamore Township to compare current options.

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