CBL (cannabicyclol) is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid found in cannabis. Similar to cannabinoids like CBN (cannabinol), CBL is a cannabinoid that forms when CBC (cannabichromene) degrades through exposure to UV light and oxidation. Research on this minor cannabinoid has been slow to progress, and little is known about the properties and therapeutic qualities of CBL.

“Cannabicyclol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid because it lacks the necessary double bonds in its structure responsible for causing intoxication.”

What is CBL (cannabicyclol)?

Cannabicyclol, is a minor cannabinoid found in very low concentrations in cannabis. CBL is a photochemical product formed as a result of degradation—when CBC (cannabichromene) is exposed to light, oxidation, or acid conditions, CBL is created. Cannabicyclol therefore only occurs in trace amounts in live trichomes and is found in higher concentrations in a cannabis plant after harvesting.

CBL was first isolated by Korte and Sieper in 1964, but since then, research unfurling the properties of this minor cannabinoid has been slow to progress. Relatively little is known about the properties and therapeutic qualities of CBL.

At present, most of what is known about cannabicyclol is focused on its molecular structure. CBL does not contain any double bonds in its molecular composition; in both Δ9-THC and Δ8-THC, double bonds are responsible for the intoxicating psychoactive properties those cannabinoids are associated with. CBL is therefore most likely non-intoxicating because it lacks this double-bond structure.

What are the benefits of cannabicyclol?

Like many minor cannabinoids, scientists are still unpacking the properties and benefits of cannabicyclol. No pharmacological evaluation of CBL has yet been carried out. As the research on minor cannabinoids is growing, it’s likely the coming years will reveal a more comprehensive understanding of the unique qualities of cannabicyclol.