A UK-focused glossary covering CBD, CBG, hemp science, cannabinoid chemistry, the endocannabinoid system and controlled-cannabinoid terminology.
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UK review date: 23 July 2026. This glossary is educational. Cannabinoid and controlled-drug status is product-specific and depends on composition, testing, intended use and the applicable UK legal framework.
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Cannabinoids & Hemp Science
Core hemp, CBD, CBG, THC and endocannabinoid-system terms used across CBD and CBG products.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp. Pure isolated CBD is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but a finished CBD product may contain controlled cannabinoids and must also comply with the rules for its product category, such as food, cosmetics, vaping or medicines.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
CBG is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp. It is often described as a minor cannabinoid because it usually appears in smaller amounts than CBD.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
THC is a collective term commonly used for tetrahydrocannabinols associated with intoxicating effects. Several THC forms and related cannabinoids are controlled drugs in the UK. Product legality cannot be established by a single percentage claim and requires product-specific composition, testing and legal assessment.
CBDA (CBDa)
CBDA, or cannabidiolic acid, is the acidic precursor to CBD found naturally in raw hemp. Heat and time can convert CBDA into CBD through decarboxylation.
CBGA (CBGa)
CBGA, or cannabigerolic acid, is an acidic precursor from which several other cannabinoid pathways develop as the plant matures.
CBN
CBN, or cannabinol, is a minor cannabinoid that can form as THC-containing material ages or oxidises. Cannabinol is a Class B controlled drug in the UK, so its presence in consumer products requires careful legal and analytical assessment.
CBC
CBC is a minor cannabinoid found naturally in hemp and cannabis plants.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in hemp and cannabis plants. CBD, CBG and THC are examples.
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa is the botanical species that includes hemp and other cannabis varieties. UK law controls the cannabis plant and most plant parts, with limited exceptions such as mature stalk, fibre from the mature stalk and seed; licensed cultivation rules apply.
Industrial Hemp
Industrial hemp is Cannabis sativa cultivated under licence for permitted purposes such as fibre or seed. A low-THC variety or cultivation licence does not automatically make flowers, leaves, extracts or finished products lawful for unrestricted retail sale.
Hemp Flower
Hemp flower means the flowering tops of a cannabis plant. In UK controlled-drug law, flowers and leaves are controlled parts of cannabis and are not made lawful for general retail sale simply by being described as hemp or low-THC.
CBD Extract
CBD extract is a hemp-derived extract containing cannabidiol. Depending on how it is made, it may also contain other cannabinoids, terpenes and plant compounds.
Synthetic CBD
Synthetic CBD is cannabidiol made by chemical synthesis rather than extracted directly from hemp. It should still be considered carefully within applicable food, product-safety and compliance rules.
Controlled Cannabinoids
Controlled cannabinoids are compounds controlled under UK drugs legislation, including THC forms, cannabinol and certain derivatives. Pure CBD is not controlled, but a preparation containing a controlled cannabinoid is itself controlled unless a specific legal exemption applies.
Δ8-THC / Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC is a tetrahydrocannabinol isomer associated with intoxicating effects. It is treated as a controlled cannabinoid in the UK and is not a standard retail wellness ingredient.
THCP / HHC
THCP and HHC are cannabinoid terms increasingly encountered online. Their legal status, intoxicating potential, synthesis route and safety profile require specialist assessment; they should not be treated as ordinary CBD wellness ingredients.
Cannabinoid Potency
Cannabinoid potency describes the measured strength or concentration of cannabinoids in a product, extract or lab sample.
Cannabinoid Content
Cannabinoid content is the amount of each cannabinoid present in a product, usually shown in milligrams, percentages or lab-report units.
Cannabinoid Ratio
Cannabinoid ratio describes the balance between cannabinoids, such as the relationship between CBD and CBG in a formula.
Phytocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced by plants, including CBD, CBG, THC and related compounds found in hemp.
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are cannabinoid-like compounds produced naturally within the body.
Anandamide
Anandamide is one of the best-known endocannabinoids produced naturally by the body.
ECS (Endocannabinoid System)
The endocannabinoid system is a signalling network involving receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes. It is studied in human physiology, but mentioning the system does not by itself substantiate a health or medicinal claim for a consumer product.
CB1 Receptors
CB1 receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system and are commonly discussed in relation to cannabinoid signalling.
CB2 Receptors
CB2 receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system and are commonly discussed in relation to cannabinoid signalling.
Hemp
Hemp is a strain of Cannabis sativa grown for fibre, seed and cannabinoid extraction. It is the source plant used for many CBD products.
CBD Isolate (Cannabidiol Isolate)
CBD isolate is a highly purified cannabidiol ingredient with other cannabinoids and plant compounds removed to the specification of the material. Purity and the presence or absence of controlled cannabinoids should be confirmed using an appropriate laboratory method.
Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum describes an extract intended to retain a broad range of hemp compounds, which may include cannabinoids and terpenes. The term is not a legal status and does not remove the need to test every controlled cannabinoid against applicable requirements.
Broad-Spectrum
Broad-spectrum generally describes an extract containing multiple hemp compounds after THC has been reduced or removed. Any claim that THC is absent or non-detectable is method-specific and should be supported by the relevant batch test.
Minor Cannabinoid
Minor cannabinoid is a term used for cannabinoids that usually occur in smaller amounts than CBD or THC.
Non-Intoxicating
Non-intoxicating means an ingredient is not ordinarily associated with producing a high. It does not mean risk-free, medicine-free, interaction-free or automatically lawful in every product format.
Psychoactive
Psychoactive describes a substance that can affect mental processes. The term is broader than intoxicating: CBD is generally described as non-intoxicating, while THC is associated with intoxicating psychoactive effects.
Trace THC
Trace THC means a very small measured amount of THC is present. The phrase is not a legal threshold by itself: the actual amount, the container or component part, the test method and the product category all matter.
Non-Detectable THC
Non-detectable THC means THC was not detected at or above the stated reporting limit of the laboratory method used. It does not prove absolute molecular absence and should always be read with the COA and method sensitivity.
THC-Free
THC-free is a product claim that should be supported by batch-specific evidence showing THC was not detected at or above an appropriate reporting limit. It is not an absolute guarantee and does not guarantee a negative workplace or sports drug test.
CBDV (Cannabidivarin)
CBDV is a naturally occurring minor cannabinoid related to CBD. Its presence and concentration can be reported as part of a wider cannabinoid profile.
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)
THCV is a naturally occurring cannabinoid related to THC. The Home Office identifies THC-V among controlled cannabinoids, so any consumer-product presence requires product-specific legal and analytical assessment.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
THCA is an acidic precursor to THC. Pure isolated THCA is treated differently from THC in Home Office guidance, but it readily converts to controlled THC through heat or environmental change, so products containing it require careful legal assessment.
2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol)
2-AG is an endocannabinoid produced by the body and is one of the principal signalling molecules studied within the endocannabinoid system.
FAAH
FAAH, or fatty acid amide hydrolase, is an enzyme involved in breaking down certain endocannabinoids, including anandamide.
MAGL
MAGL, or monoacylglycerol lipase, is an enzyme involved in breaking down 2-AG.
Trichomes
Trichomes are small resin-producing structures found on cannabis flowers and leaves. They contain many of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes; the plant parts on which they occur remain subject to UK controlled-drug law.
Chemotype
Chemotype describes a plant or extract according to its characteristic chemical profile, such as the relative abundance of particular cannabinoids or terpenes.
Chemovar
Chemovar means a chemically defined variety or group. It is often more precise than informal indica or sativa labels when discussing cannabinoid and terpene profiles.
Cultivar
A cultivar is a cultivated plant variety selected for particular characteristics, such as growth habit, fibre yield or chemical profile.
Cannabinoid Biosynthesis
Cannabinoid biosynthesis is the sequence of biological processes by which a cannabis plant forms cannabinoid acids and related compounds.
Acidic Cannabinoid
An acidic cannabinoid contains a carboxyl group and is commonly identified by an “A” suffix, such as CBDA, CBGA or THCA. Heat can convert many acidic cannabinoids into neutral forms.
Neutral Cannabinoid
A neutral cannabinoid is the decarboxylated form of a cannabinoid acid, such as CBD from CBDA or THC from THCA.
Cannabinoid Isomer
A cannabinoid isomer has the same molecular formula as another cannabinoid but a different arrangement of atoms. Isomers can have different effects, analytical behaviour and legal status.
Decarboxylation Curve
A decarboxylation curve shows how time and temperature influence conversion of acidic cannabinoids into neutral forms. Actual conversion depends on the material, process and analytical method.
Total THC / Total Potential THC
A laboratory calculation estimating the THC that could be present after full conversion of THCA. A common calculation is Δ9-THC plus 0.877 × THCA, but the COA method and definition should always be checked.
Total CBD / Total Potential CBD
A laboratory calculation estimating CBD after conversion of CBDA. A common calculation is CBD plus 0.877 × CBDA, but the laboratory’s stated method and units control the interpretation.
Cannabinoid-Rich Extract
A cannabinoid-rich extract is an extract concentrated in one or more cannabinoids. The phrase does not identify its exact composition, legal status or contaminant profile, which must be established separately.
Native Extract
Native extract generally means an extract before carriers or excipients are added. The term is used differently by suppliers, so specifications should state whether ratios and percentages refer to the native extract or the finished ingredient.
Related Brands & Ranges
Brand and range names connected with this specialist glossary.
Peoples CBD
The core CBD product range, covering oils, crystals, vape, gummies, topicals, patches and bath products.
Peoples CBG
The CBG-focused range for customers looking for cannabinoid products beyond CBD.
Official UK Sources & Review Note
Last reviewed: 23 July 2026. This glossary is educational. Cannabinoid and controlled-drug status is product-specific and depends on composition, testing, intended use and the applicable UK legal framework.