Medical Cannabis Patients Are Widely Using Minor Cannabinoids Like CBG, CBN, and Delta-8 | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 1,721 medical cannabis patients found widespread use of minor cannabinoids including delta-8 THC, THCA, CBG, and CBN, with many patients substituting cannabis for prescription medications.

Medical cannabis patients; healthcare providers; cannabinoid researchers

Majority of 1,721 medical cannabis patients stopped at least one pharmaceutical after starting cannabis

What the researchers found

The most commonly used cannabinoids were CBD, delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and THCA. The majority reported stopping one or more pharmaceutical medications because of their medical cannabis use.

Why it matters

The cannabinoid marketplace has expanded dramatically, but research and regulation have not kept pace.

The numbers in context

1,721 medical cannabis patients surveyed. Most common methods: smoking flower, vape pen/cartridge, edibles. Majority stopped one or more pharmaceuticals.

How the study worked

Survey of 1,721 US medical cannabis patients assessing patterns of use and motivations across a wide variety of cannabinoid products.

What this study cannot tell us

Self-selected sample. Self-reported data. No verification of medications discontinued or clinical outcomes.

How to read the evidence

Large survey with broad cannabinoid coverage; moderate because of sample size despite self-selection.

When this study was published

2025 study capturing current cannabinoid market trends

The bigger picture

Patients are making treatment decisions about compounds like CBG, CBN, and delta-8 THC with very limited clinical data.

Questions still open

Are patients achieving better outcomes with minor cannabinoids? What are the safety profiles of daily CBG, CBN, or THCA use?

Common questions

What are minor cannabinoids?

Compounds found in cannabis in smaller quantities than THC and CBD. They include CBG, CBN, THCA, delta-8 THC, and others.

Is it safe to stop prescription medications and use cannabis instead?

This study did not evaluate whether it was medically appropriate. Stopping prescription medications without medical guidance can be dangerous.

Read the original research

Minor Cannabinoid Use Among Medical Cannabis Patients.

Journal of psychoactive drugs, 1-10

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Cuttler, Carrie; Boehnke, Kevin F; Doucette, Mitchell L; Wilson-Poe, Adrianne R; Kruger, Daniel J. (2025). Minor Cannabinoid Use Among Medical Cannabis Patients.. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2025.2607725