CBN That Other Cannabinoid

Since the isolation and identification of THC in 1963, it has become the most well-known, if not the most notorious, cannabinoid in cannabis. Another of the cannabinoids that has received some recent attention in the press is CBD. Like THC, CBD has demonstrated medicinal qualities that are just now being discovered. However, there is a third cannabinoid that has not been garnering as much attention. This is CBN. CBN is the third most commonly found cannabinoid in MMJ. There is plenty of information and disinformation in the literature about THC. CBD is well represented in the literature. CBN, however, seems to be lost in the shuffle. This article will detail CBN strictly. CBN is a natural cannabinoid that is produced by the cannabis plant. Of the three mentioned cannabinoids, the cannabis plant produces CBN only in trace quantities. The interesting thing about CBN is that it is also the natural decomposition byproduct of THC. MMJ that is exposed to light and air over a prolonged period of time will have its THC slowly decompose into CBN. Eventually, all of the THC will decompose to CBN. With this in mind, CBN can be used as a qualitative measure of the age of Medical Marijuana (MMJ). A good rule of thumb is, the more CBN in the MMJ, the older the MMJ medicine is. In order to know the THC, CBD and CBN values in a batch of MMJ, the MMJ center must test their product. This is the only way that the center, or the patient, will know these values and be able to best use this information to discern the age and potency of their medicine. Without testing, the center and user do not possess full information regarding their medicine. It may be hard to believe, but CBN was the first cannabinoid that was isolated, in 1899. Its chemical formula was also postulated around that time. It was believed that this scientist had an old batch of cannabis and that most of the THC had decomposed to CBN; that is why it was the first chemical isolated from cannabis. Strangely, researchers did not do any medical testing with this compound until the 1930s. And, of the three major cannabinoids, CBN is the least studied. Since the 1930s, particularly with the discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the late 1980s, more medical testing involving CBN has been performed. Recent studies have demonstrated a breadth of medicinal purposes for CBN. One study has show that CBN may be effective against psoriasis. It has been known for some time that some of the other cannabinoids demonstrate antibacterial properties. CBN has been shown to have this property. More importantly, CBN has been show to be equally as effective as THC and CBD in this capacity. Compared to THC, CBN has been shown to be far less psychoactive. This further lends credence to the medical possibilities of CBN. Adding CBN to medicinal preparations with THC have been shown to be equally effective as THC alone. The bonus is that the preparation is

less psychoactive due to the presence of CBN. The most important revelation proven by medical studies on CBN is the refutation of a condition called cannabinol psychosis. As many journal articles state, this pharmacological reaction no longer seem[s] to elicit much interest. The reason is that this drug reaction simply does not exist. As with all of the cannabinoids, CBN demands further medical study. Additionally, rather than testing with solely CBN, tests should be conducted with cannabis of known cannabinoid concentration. This way the synergistic effects of all of the cannabinoids can be better studied. This document is for informational purposes only. CannLabs has researched the chemical and medical literature in order to provide you with the latest and most accurate information regarding Medical Marijuana (MMJ). CannLabs has attempted to condense and communicate this information as precisely and concisely as possible. However, there may be errors. For further information and specific information, CannLabs recommends that the reader become versed in the chemical and medical literature pertaining to MMJ. Allan Bumgartner Chemist, CannLabs