What Is CBN?
Cannabinol. Formed when THC degrades. Its presence is largely a function of age, heat and oxygen exposure.
Measured across 65 lab-tested products from 19 independent laboratories · updated September 3, 2026
Average 0.273% across 65 products that tested positive, from 243 tested in total.
The chemistry
CBN is not produced directly by the plant in meaningful quantity. It appears as THC oxidises over time, which is why older material tends to carry more of it. A rising CBN figure alongside a falling THC figure is a signature of age rather than of cultivar.
Why it matters when you are reading a label
Because CBN accumulates through degradation, it is a useful read on how fresh a batch is. Compare the CBN figure against the COA date rather than treating it as a headline number.
Products highest in CBN
Ranked by measured CBN content, not by price or popularity. The figure on each card is the one printed on that product’s certificate.
A product can appear high here and low elsewhere — these are single-cannabinoid rankings, not overall potency.
How to read a CBN figure
Percentage is content by weight. Milligrams per serving is the more useful number for edibles and beverages, because it tells you the dose rather than the concentration. Where both appear on a certificate they should reconcile: percentage multiplied by ten gives milligrams per gram.
If a label claims a CBN figure the certificate does not support, trust the certificate.
CBN compared
Common questions
What is CBN?
Cannabinol. Formed when THC degrades. Its presence is largely a function of age, heat and oxygen exposure.
How is CBN formed?
CBN is not produced directly by the plant in meaningful quantity. It appears as THC oxidises over time, which is why older material tends to carry more of it. A rising CBN figure alongside a falling THC figure is a signature of age rather than of cultivar.
How much CBN is in a typical hemp product?
Across 65 lab-tested products in this catalogue, CBN ranged from 0.001% to 2.96%, averaging 0.273%. Those results come from 19 independent laboratories. Product form drives most of that spread.
How do I verify the CBN content of a product?
Read the certificate of analysis and match its batch number to the packaging. A certificate that cannot be tied to the batch in your hand does not describe the product you bought.
Shop lab-tested hempChemistry and measured content only. No health outcome is claimed or implied, and nothing here is medical advice.
