What is CBG?

Introduction

Cannabigerol, also known as CBG, is a cannabinoid of the hemp plant. The plant forms it as a precursor and converts most of it into other cannabinoids during flowering. That is why ripe flowers of most varieties contain only little CBG.

CBG and the THC limit in Switzerland

There is no separate limit for CBG in Switzerland, cannabigerol is not on the list of narcotics. What matters is the THC content: hemp plants and preparations with a total THC content of at least 1.0 percent count as narcotics. This is governed by the FDHA Ordinance on the Narcotics Lists (BetmVV-EDI, SR 812.121.11) in Annex 5, list d, as of 13 March 2026.

CBG explained chemically

Cannabigerol belongs to the organic compounds in the cannabis plant called cannabinoids. It is considered a minor cannabinoid, as the harvested plant generally contains only up to 1% CBG (rarely up to 2%). Because CBG-rich genetics are rare, there are only a few varieties. With us you can buy CBG flowers, the Freedom Flower from Swiss indoor cultivation. But how does CBG come about?

The cannabis plant produces CBGA. The «A» stands for acid, indicating that CBGA is the acidic form of cannabigerol. Cannabigerolic acid is the brain of the operation here, because it is the precursor of the three most important cannabinoids: THC, CBD and CBC. Put simply: without CBGA there would be neither THC nor CBD.

During the life of the plant, natural enzymes (called synthases) convert CBGA into THCA, CBDA and CBCA. These are converted into THC, CBD and CBC by decarboxylation, that is, the removal of a carboxyl group by heat.

The limited amounts of CBGA that remain in the plant after the other cannabinoids have been produced are decarboxylated and converted into CBG.