The cannabis plant produces a family of active compounds known as phytocannabinoids, or simply cannabinoids. The resinous, aromatic flower clusters of the female cannabis plant can contain as much as 25 percent or more of a variety of cannabinoids. One of these cannabinoids is known as cannabigerol or CBG.

The two most commonly produced cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) which is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is the cannabinoid found in marijuana that is responsible for its intoxicating effects. 

Cannabis can also produce several other types of cannabinoids including CBG, CBN, CBC, and many more. Interestingly, CBG is a precursor to all known phytocannabinoids produced in cannabis. Immature hemp flowers only produce CBG. As the flower clusters mature, enzymes in the plant begin to convert CBG into other cannabinoids such as CBD or THC. 

To be exact, cannabis plants naturally produce acidic versions of cannabinoids such as CBGA, CBDA, and THCA. Exposing these acidic cannabinoids to heat via smoking or cooking converts them into the non-acidic forms, CBG, CBD, and THC. (Interestingly, while THC is intoxicating, THCA found in raw cannabis flowers is not.)

In order to produce CBG oil or CBG isolate, hemp flowers must be harvested before CBG is converted into CBD or other cannabinoids. There are today several strains of hemp, such as Jack Frost and White CBG, that produce very low quantities of the enzymes needed to convert CBG into CBD. Generally, CBG oil and CBG isolate are extracted and refined from these high-CBG strains.