// Science · Glossary

Acidic Cannabinoids

⚗️ Science First mentioned: Ep. 216

The raw, unheated forms of cannabinoids found in living cannabis plants, such as THCA and CBDA. These precursor compounds have not undergone decarboxylation and possess distinct therapeutic properties from their neutral (activated) forms.

Harry Rose explained that during early cannabinoid medicine work with Lawrence Ringo, they discovered acidic cannabinoids were extremely powerful. At the time, most practitioners believed cannabinoids needed to be activated (decarboxylated) to be effective, but Rose's patient work showed that preparations containing both acidic and neutral forms yielded remarkable results.

Ep. 216 Medical Access, Terpene Science, and Humboldt Heritage