What comes after CBD? CBN, terpenes and new trends at a glance

When I first heard about CBD, I honestly thought: “Okay, just another trend that will soon disappear.” But a few years later, I’m sitting at the table with friends, and almost everyone has already smoked CBD flowers, tried a salve, or at least talked about it. It’s no longer a secret tip, but part of everyday life for many.

Maybe you feel the same way: you’ve tested CBD, you’re convinced by the effect – and now you’re wondering if there’s more out there. That’s exactly where many of us are today. Suddenly we stumble across terms like CBN, CBG or terpenes. Sounds exciting, but also a bit confusing.

A friend recently said to me: “CBD is great, but somehow I feel like getting even more out of the plant.” That’s exactly the feeling we want to address here. In this blog we’ll take a closer look at what comes after CBD – which new cannabinoids and trends are currently making waves, what they can do, and what you should pay attention to. 🌱

What Is CBN and How Is It Different from CBD?

CBN, short for cannabinol, is formed by the breakdown of THC. When flowers get older or are exposed to a lot of light, THC slowly converts into CBN. The exciting part: CBN is not intoxicating, so like CBD it’s a cannabinoid that won’t get you high.

I still clearly remember a situation in the Green Passion warehouse: we found an older batch of flowers that smelled surprisingly earthy. Testing showed a higher CBN content. Suddenly it was obvious to everyone why some customers found exactly these flowers particularly relaxing.

Many describe CBN as “deeper” – especially in the evening or when winding down. Even though research is still in its infancy, it shows that CBN in combination with CBD can be interesting (Russo, 2019).

CBN and Sleep – Hype or Real Help?

The topic of sleep runs like a thread through conversations with our customers. A friend recently told me that after stressful days she calms down better with CBN drops. Another friend, however, noticed hardly any difference.

Studies suggest that CBN may have sedative properties, especially in combination with myrcene, a well-known terpene (Steep Hill Labs, 2017). But there is still no solid evidence. For you this means: CBN might be worth a try, but keep your expectations realistic.

The cool thing is that there are now the first CBN flowers and oils in Switzerland. They are usually more expensive than CBD products, which is due to the complex production, but anyone open to something new could gain some exciting experiences.

Terpenes – the Underrated All-Rounders

If you’ve ever held a particularly fruity flower in your hand, you know the difference: the smell makes half the experience. Responsible for this are terpenes – aromatic compounds that are also found in oranges, pines or lavender.

Recently I showed a colleague two CBD strains with the same cannabinoid content. He smelled them and immediately said: “One already makes me feel more awake just by smelling it, the other almost sleepy.” And that is exactly the magic of terpenes.

Limonene (citrus) often uplifting
Myrcene (earthy) more calming
Pinene (pine-like) clear-headed
Linalool (floral) relaxing

Scientists suspect that terpenes contribute to the so-called entourage effect – the interaction of all plant compounds (Booth & Bohlmann, 2019). For you this means: don’t just look at the CBD content, but also at the terpene profile.

New Cannabinoids in Trend – From CBG to HHC

In addition to CBN, CBG is also increasingly coming into focus. It’s called the “mother of all cannabinoids” because THC and CBD are formed from it. Many report a clearer head – a kind of focus without heaviness.

Then there’s HHC. In Germany and Austria it’s already a hype, but in Switzerland its legal status is unclear. On top of that, HHC is often synthetically produced. For some a no-go, for others a legal alternative. Personally, I view it critically because transparency and studies are lacking.

The market is developing rapidly. Today it’s CBN, tomorrow maybe CBC or THCV. Not everything will remain, but it’s worth keeping your eyes open.

Safety and Legal Situation in Switzerland

Many ask: “Are CBN products even legal in Switzerland?” The answer is: Yes, as long as the THC content is below 1%. This applies to CBD, CBN and also CBG. In Germany and Austria the limits are stricter – the allowed THC content there is 0.2%.

With newer substances like HHC, things are more complicated. There is uncertainty here, and laws can change quickly (EMCDDA, 2023). So: always check carefully whether a product is tested, and better rely on shops that provide lab analyses.

I always say: “If I don’t know what’s in it, it doesn’t come into my house.” Transparency is the key.

Price and Quality – Is the Switch Worth It?

One topic that is often overlooked: CBN is more expensive than CBD. No wonder – the production is complex, and there are fewer suppliers. Many therefore ask themselves whether the extra cost is worth it.

My experience: if you just want to try some chill flowers, CBD is perfectly fine. But if you’re curious to see how the plant can unfold further, it’s worth taking a look at CBN or CBG. Start small, try it out – that way you’ll notice whether it’s worth the price for you.

And when it comes to terpenes: you don’t necessarily pay more, but you often get a completely different experience.

Conclusion: Your Next Step After CBD

CBD remains an integral part of the cannabis world. But the future also belongs to CBN, terpenes and other cannabinoids. Whether for the evening, for a new aroma experience or simply out of curiosity – there’s a lot to discover.

The most important thing: stay informed, stay critical and listen to your own feeling. Because what works for one person may hardly be noticeable for another.

👉 If you feel like trying the next steps yourself, take a look at the Green Passion Shop. We offer you tested products, honest information and new trends that you can try safely. 🌱

References (APA 7)

Booth, J. K., & Bohlmann, J. (2019). Terpenes in Cannabis sativa – From plant genome to humans. Plant Science, 284, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.022

Russo, E. B. (2019). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: No “strain,” no gain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1969. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01969

Steep Hill Labs. (2017). CBN: A cannabinoid with sedative potential. Retrieved from https://www.steephill.com

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). (2023). Synthetic cannabinoids and new psychoactive substances. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu

Ferber, S. G., Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Koltai, H., Shoval, G., Shbiro, L., & Weller, A. (2020). The "entourage effect": Terpenes coupled with cannabinoids for the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 18(2), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X17666191011143518