It may have certain advantages over CBD, in that it is fully synthetic, inexpensive to produce, and it is not a scheduled drug (cannabis extracts are controlled substances in most parts of the world). In addition, there is no path to synthesize the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from H2CBD. CBD has been shown to convert to some extent to THC in the gastric tract,[4][5] and the deliberate laboratory conversion of CBD to THC is straightforward.[6][7] H2CBD has therefore been studied for its potential use as an alternative to CBD in terms of its lack of abuse liability and absence of psychotropic effects.[1][8][9]
It was shown to have anti-seizure activity essentially identical to that of CBD in tests with rats.[10]
In 2006 it was reported that 8,9-Dihydrocannabidiol binds very weakly to the CB1 receptor with a binding affinity higher than 1μM but was noted to have potential anti-inflammatory effects independent of its cannabinoid receptor action.[11]
^Li H, Liu Y, Tian D, Tian L, Ju X, Qi L, et al. (April 2020). "Overview of cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogues: Structures, biological activities, and neuroprotective mechanisms in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease". European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 192: 112163. doi:10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112163. PMID32109623. S2CID211564148.
^Jacob, A.; Todd, A. R. (1940). "119. Cannabis indica. Part II. Isolation of cannabidiol from Egyptian hashish. Observations on the structure of cannabinol". J. Chem. Soc. 119: 649–653. doi:10.1039/jr9400000649.
^Watanabe K, Itokawa Y, Yamaori S, Funahashi T, Kimura T, Kaji T, Usami N, Yamamoto I (2007). "Conversion of cannabidiol to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and related cannabinoids in artificial gastric juice, and their pharmacological effects in mice". Forensic Toxicology. 25: 16–21. doi:10.1007/s11419-007-0021-y. S2CID2890977.
^Adams R, Pease DC, Cain CK, Clark JH (1940). "Structure of Cannabidiol. VI. Isomerization of Cannabidiol to Tetrahydrocannabinol, a Physiologically Active Product. Conversion of Cannabidiol to Cannabinol". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 62 (9): 2402–2405. doi:10.1021/ja01866a040.
^Adams R, Cain CK, McPhee WD, Wearn RB (1941). "Structure of Cannabidiol. XII. Isomerization to Tetrahydrocannabinols1". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 63 (8): 2209–2213. doi:10.1021/ja01853a052.
^WO 2020/185661, Mascal M, Shevchenko N, "Use of 8,9-dihydrocannabidiol compounds.", assigned to University of California