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CBG (cannabigerol) is the next CBD!
There has recently been a huge boom in the cannabis market, with new cannabinoids popping up left and right. Ranging from Delta 8 to CBG and everything in between, they’re all competing for the spotlight.
But CBG products are making headway in popularity, easily pushing to the front of the pack and into people’s daily routines.
As a cannabis or cannabinoid consumer, it’s important to know about the different cannabinoids out there and be as well-informed as possible.
But is CBG legal? How is it produced? How do you use it? And where do you get it?
We’ll cover all of theses questions- and more- in this article, so read on! Buckle up, because there’s a lot to learn.
Is CBG legal to use?
The legality of CBG is not as straightforward as one might hope.
Hemp-derived CBG (as defined by the 2018 Farm Bill) is federally legal, but CBG derived from cannabis is federally illegal.
To ellaborate, the 2018 Farm Bill defines hemp as containing .3% THC or less. This law has opened the door to a whole new market of cannabinoid products, as researchers and producers rush to find the next big thing.
Now let’s talk a bit about cannabis legality in general.
Although many states have legalized, decriminalized, and developed expungement laws, there are still people in prison and with criminal records due to cannabis possession.
70% of federal cannabis-possession charges landed people in jail for an average of five months.
Cannabis arrests add up to the majority of drug arrests in the US.
How is CBG produced?
The first step to producing CBG is getting your hands on a strain that has a high CBG content. This optimizes extraction results.
CBG is the most abundant in plants roughly between 6 and 8 weeks old. This is because the CBG hasn’t had time to convert into another cannabinoid as a precursor.
CBG is known as a minor cannabinoid because it’s found in such trace amounts- lower than 1% in most strains. Due to this, you need more biomass for CBG extraction compared to CBD or THC extraction.
This is a large reason why CBG has a higher price point- more plants go into producing it!
Now, onto the nitty gritty of extraction!
The second step to producing CBG- after finding the right strain- is soaking it in a solvent. Two popular choices include CO2 andd ethanol.
Next, the solution undergoes steps post-filtration and is ultimately evaporated to remove residue.
Now you have CBG crude extract on your hands. You have to distill it even further if you want a pure CBG distillate.
CBG vs CBD: What’s the difference?
CBG and CBD are both nonpsychoactive cannabis- or hemp-derived products.
CBG is what is known as a “precursor” of various cannabinoids, meaning it can transform into other molecules- such as when CBGa is exposed to heat and turns into CBD or THC.
On the other hand, CBD is not a precursor to any other cannabinoids.
CBD is much more well-researched than CBG, even though CBD is still severely under-studied.
CBG and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system differently.
The endocannabinoid system is comparable to the nervous system in its breadth and importance. CB1 and CB2 receptors are activated by CBG, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are made within the body, while phytocannabinoids are made within plants.
CBD interact less directly with the endocannabinoid system compared to CBG, which interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain.
How to use CBG
The best way to use CBG is sublingually. This means putting a couple drops of CBG beneath your tongue and holding it for half a minute prior to swallowing.
Sublingual usage allows for fast, maximum absorption. The mucous membranes in your mouth are quite permeable and happily interact with CBG.
What is the recommended dosage of CBG?
CBG dosage isn’t universal. Some things that affect the dosage of CBG include:
- Cannabis experience
- Health
- Age
- Desired effects
Always start out with a lower CBG dose and slowly increase it. Different products will have different recommended doses as well as percentages listing the different cannabinoids in the product. Start with the minimum suggested dose and increase from there.
How long does CBG remain in your system?
It’s unknown how long CBG levels remain in your system because there hasn’t been enough research or testing in order to have a good answer.
That being said, we do know roughly how long THC stays in your system.
THC can be found in saliva or blood for up to a day after consumption. Meanwhie, hair and urine tests can detect THC for up to three months.
A lot of jobs test for cannabis, even if you live in a legal or decriminalized state. It’s important to know if your place of work ever does random testing so you can plan your consumption accordingly.
Where can you find CBG products?
Before we get to where to find CBG products, let’s talk a little bit about the products themselves!
CBG crystals are the most pure form of CBG you can find. Producers utilize CO2 extraction methods to create such a pure product.
CBG crystals are similar in appearance to powdered sugar, and you can melt them underneath your tongue. You can also sprinkle them in flower or mix them in oils.
It’s not uncommon to even mix CBG crystals into smoothies!
You can also vape CBG oil, consume it by smoking high-CBG flower, as a CBG edible, or used under the tongue in tincture form.
Just keep in mind that CBG can lose potency if over-heated.
Similar to all of this, you need to make sure your CBG product is safe! Always check for third-party lab testing on the brand’s website to ensure that your CBG product is well-regulated and purified.
Here at The Health Center, we only carry the most effective and reputable CBG products on the market.
Check us out in Denver, Boulder, or online! We’re here to help match you with the product(s) of your dreams- so don’t be shy!
