CBD (cannabidiol) isn’t the only non-intoxicating cannabinoid on the block anymore. Over the last few years, hemp producers have been hard at work producing strains that are high in CBG (cannabigerol) instead while still staying low in THC.

As one of the biggest states in hemp production at the time of our nation’s founding, North Carolina has a long history of using and enjoying hemp to the absolute fullest. People all over Charlotte are embracing this latest development in our great state’s hemp story, so it’s time to learn all about the benefits of this cannabinoid and find out which CBG products are worth your money.

What is CBG?

CBG is short for cannabigerol, one of the eight main cannabinoids found in cannabis. There are dozens of different cannabinoids, but most of them are analogues (copies) of these main eight:

• THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
• CBD (cannabidiol)
• CBG (cannabigerol
• CBC (cannabichromene)
• CBN (cannabinol)
• THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin)
• THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
• CBDA (cannabidiolic acid)

All these cannabinoids and their analogues stem from a single cannabis constituent: cannabigerolic acid, the precursor to CBG. Just as humans have stem cells, cannabis has a “stem cell cannabinoid,” and scientists are very curious about the role CBG will play in the future of cannabis research.

How is CBG different than CBD?

CBG and CBD flower have more similarities than differences. Both cannabinoids are, for instance, non-psychoactive, and they both appear to have potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

There are a few unique attributes of CBG, however, that have drawn significant attention in recent years. This cannabinoid appears to be antibacterial, for instance, which means it might be useful in treating infectious disease.

CBG also appears to have profound digestive benefits, which might make it a useful treatment for Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Most intriguingly, however, CBG also appears to treat cancer where even CBD might not.

What kinds of CBG products are there?

Right now, you might not find as much variety among CBG products as you find with CBD. The CBG industry just hasn’t been around long enough to diversify, but at the same time, a few reputable CBD manufacturers are starting to expand into other cannabinoids. Here’s a brief list of the different kinds of CBG products that are currently available for sale in all 50 states:

CBG pre-rolls

CBG pre-rolls offer a nutty terpene profile and help you focus. These convenient CBG products fit in your pocket or wait in your medicine cabinet for when you need them. No grinding, no mess—simply light up your CBG pre-roll and enjoy!

CBG flower

Before it can be rolled into pre-rolls, CBG flower exists in its original, bud form. While you need to do your own grinding when you choose loose CBG flower, this product type might be preferable when you’re at home and have space to stretch out.

CBG vape

Some companies offer CBG vape cartridges in addition to the usual CBD. Vape cartridges can be just as convenient as pre-rolls, and as long as the ingredients going into your cartridge are safe, you have nothing to fear from vaping.

CBG tinctures

Tinctures are one of the most popular CBD product categories, and some brands are starting to expand into CBG tinctures as well. Hemp products you take orally, however, have decreased bioavailability.

CBG topicals

Just like CBD, CBG might be useful when applied topically. In particular, CBG topicals could be useful for wound healing, but it would be necessary to make a product formulation that won’t do more harm than good.

What are the benefits of CBG?

Let’s cover some of the most impressive benefits of CBG:

Antibacterial

Animal studies have shown CBG to be just as effective as mainline antibacterial treatments. This cannabinoid may even be effective in fighting MRSA, a common bacterial infection in hospital environments.

Digestive

CBG appears to help with digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. This helps your gut’s natural mucosal defense barrier support healthy, natural digestion.

Anti-cancer

Cannabigerol has been investigated as a treatment for colorectal, stomach, and other gastrointestinal cancers. This cannabinoid may even be useful for breast cancer, and it appears that CBG mainly fights cancer by reducing tumor size.

How does CBG make you feel?

CBG feels almost the same as CBD when you smoke or vape it. While CBD-rich cannabis can hurt your throat slightly on the way down, however, CBG usually hits smoother, making it more like THC in that way (and that way alone).

Like CBD, cannabigerol doesn’t make you high, and in terms of perceived effects, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to distinguish between these two non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Under the surface, however, CBG operates very differently within your body.

While CBD mainly operates at the 5-HT1A and TRPV1 receptors, CBG affects other bodily systems. It’s possible that using these cannabinoids together might provide enhanced effects, and there’s evidence that adding CBC, CBN, and the other non-intoxicating cannabinoids into the mix may provide even further benefits.

How do you find the best CBG products?

You’re ready to be the first person to bring CBG to your Charlotte neighborhood. How do you tell the good CBG products from the bad, however?

Potency

A few years ago, it was only possible to get CBG from CBD-rich hemp in concentrations under 1% per dry weight. As a result, most CBG products were extremely low-quality and filled with processing toxins.

If you find a CBG flower product with more than 10-15% CBG, it was bred to be high in this cannabinoid, which proves that your flower is just as high-quality as hemp with any other dominant cannabinoid. As the CBG industry continues to evolve, even higher CBG concentrations will be available in hemp flower products.

Lab testing

Independent lab testing is just as essential in the CBG industry as it is for CBD products. Hemp tends to accumulate toxins as it grows, which makes it necessary to follow strict safety protocols.

If a company doesn’t take the time to grow good hemp and extract CBG from it properly, this lack of rigor will be obvious. Either the hemp company won’t provide lab reports at all or the reports provided will be from the company’s own lab.

Customer reviews

Good products speak for themselves, and they end up spreading by word of mouth. The modern equivalent of word of mouth, customer reviews speak volumes regarding the popularity of a hemp company and the quality of its products. As they say—you can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.

Is CBG safe?

Like CBD, cannabigerol does not appear to have any serious side effects. This cannabinoid is also non-intoxicating, and it does not have any addictive properties. It’s possible that, like CBD, CBG may interact with certain prescription drugs, but other than that, this antibacterial, anticancer, pro-digestion plant substance appears to be entirely safe for you to use.

Once you’ve tried CBG, make sure to share with your friends and loved ones. Grab a CBG pre-roll, head out, and enjoy everything that Charlotte has to offer with your new favorite non-intoxicating cannabinoid.

If you are leaving school and considering going to university, it’s wise to weigh up the pros and cons first. Whilst there are many reasons that university might be the best option for you, there are other factors that might sway you in a different direction. To make your decision a bit easier, we’ve compiled just some of the pros and cons of going to university. 

THE PROS

Career – Depending on your chosen subject, going to university may be the only way to pursue the career you want. Many professions such as a doctor or a lawyer, for example, require a degree so, if you are looking to pursue a career in a similar area, attending university is a step in the right direction. If you are unsure which university might suit, the QS world university rankings are a good source of information and might help to narrow your options. 

Independence – Whilst it can be a bit daunting, moving away from home can be a very exciting time. Going to university allows you to meet new people and teaches you to become more independent. You will also learn some important life skills such as budgeting, paying bills, and, depending on your financial situation, holding down a part-time job whilst studying.

Earning potential – Whilst it’s not always the case, graduates are likely to earn more than those who are employed straight out of school. It does, of course, depend on the degree you choose, but it’s highly likely that your earning potential will increase due to attending university.  

THE CONS

Leaving home – For some, the idea of leaving the safety net of their family home can be daunting. All of a sudden, you are faced with the reality of the real world without your parents to fall back on. If you are torn between the two, you can, of course, find a university closer to home which will allow you to study without relocating.

Debt – Going to university is expensive. Tuition fees, student loans, and living expenses can mount. This could result in you spending the first 5 to 10 years of your career paying back the debt you have accrued. For this reason, going to university isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. Establish how much it’s going to cost and whether it’s going to be a viable choice. If you have parents that can help then it will make your decision far easier, but not everyone has that luxury.

Securing a job – Don’t be fooled into thinking that a degree will guarantee you a job. That, sadly, isn’t the case at all. If you want to be a lawyer, accountant, or doctor, you are more likely to find a job. If, however, your chosen subjects are less specific, it’s a good idea to research the percentage of graduates who do secure the jobs they want at the end of their studies. You may find that an apprenticeship or on the job training can lead to even better career prospects.