Cannabinoids
How cannabinoids form and change
Cannabinoids form along branching pathways, rather than one straight chain.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-14
The basics
CBGA is a precursor used to form several cannabinoid acids, including THCA and CBDA. Those branches should not be drawn as a sequence in which THC simply turns into CBD.
What the evidence means
Heat and storage involve different processes. Decarboxylation removes a carboxyl group; storage can also change a product’s chemical profile. A chemistry diagram alone cannot predict an experience.
A useful question
Is the explanation describing plant biosynthesis, heating, or storage? These are different questions.
Sources and further reading
Use the sources to check the scope of each claim. A chemical measurement, a laboratory experiment and a study in people answer different questions.