Within the past few years, the rapid development of the legalization of both medical and recreational marajuia in the United States has caused an influx of questions for the potential uses for cannabis. Common components found in cannabis are cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG), Terpenes, Cannabinol (CBN), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These components of cannabis can also be found in hemp. Some studies have suggested that cannabis has the potential to be an effective antibiotic. With half of the antibiotics currently in use having been discovered in the 1940’s, along with the increased integration of antibiotics into daily life, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are being discovered with few antibiotics to fight against them. To determine the potential antimicrobial efficiency of cannabinoids, multiple cannabinoids at varying concentrations were analyzed against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria. A disk diffusion test was used along with a minimum inhibition concentration test using a 96 well plate to determine the efficiency of cannabinoids as viable antibiotics. To determine the type of inhibition cannabinoids have for various bacteria, a bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic test was performed along with hypotonic shock to assess the cell wall of the bacteria. Promising results were found when looking at CBD and CBG against various bacteria. The results of these studies with cannabinoids and bacteria will be presented.

Antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids

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ACS Spring 2023

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