Trema micranthum Shows Potential as a Cannabinoid Source
A Brazilian shrub once promoted as a THC-free source of cannabidiol (CBD) has produced a more complicated scientific picture. Researchers have detected CBD and other cannabinoids in Trema micranthum, but at extremely low concentrations, while a separate study found no convincing evidence that the plant produces cannabinoids at all.
The initial claim came from researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, who reported in June 2023 that they had identified CBD in the flowers and fruits of Trema micranthum, a plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The university described the finding as a possible way to obtain CBD without the legal and regulatory complications associated with cultivating Cannabis sativa.
The university’s announcement said the team had not detected THC in its initial chemical analysis. The researchers planned to refine extraction methods and test whether the compound behaved like CBD obtained from cannabis. At that stage, however, the work had not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, and no clinical testing had been conducted.
Subsequent research has provided evidence both for and against the claim. A 2024 study in Scientific Reports used high-resolution liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to examine leaves, fruits, flowers and stems. It reported detecting CBD, THC, cannabidiolic acid and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in leaves, fruits and inflorescences—but not stems.
The amounts were tiny. In leaf extracts, the researchers measured approximately 0.00443 micrograms of CBD and 0.00105 micrograms of THC per gram of extract. The study therefore supports the presence of these compounds in the tested material, but it does not show that T. micranthum is currently a practical replacement for hemp or cannabis. The authors noted that the cannabinoid levels were far below those typically found in medicinal cannabis and would require substantial improvements in cultivation and extraction before commercial use could be considered.
A separate 2024 study published in Plants reached a different conclusion. Although an initial color test produced results that can be associated with cannabinoids, more selective testing—including chromatography and mass spectrometry—did not confirm CBD, THC or other phytocannabinoids in the samples examined. The researchers cautioned that other phenolic compounds in the plant may have caused the initial positive reaction.
These conflicting results mean that Trema micranthum should be regarded as a subject for further chemical investigation, not as an established source of medical CBD. Differences in plant material, collection sites, extraction procedures and analytical sensitivity may help explain the disagreement, but confirmation by independent laboratories will be important.
The species belongs to the Cannabaceae family, which also includes cannabis and hops, and is a fast-growing ruderal plant commonly found in disturbed areas and urban landscapes. In its native habitats, its fruits are eaten by birds, helping support seed dispersal and local biodiversity. Its hardiness and widespread distribution could eventually make it interesting for agricultural research—but abundance alone does not guarantee useful cannabinoid yields.
CBD itself has demonstrated medical value in specific settings. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a purified CBD medicine for certain severe seizure disorders. That approval applies to a standardized prescription drug, not to untested extracts from Trema or other plants.
For now, the most defensible conclusion is that T. micranthum may contain trace cannabinoids under some conditions, but its medical effectiveness, safety, production economics and regulatory status remain unresolved. Further analytical studies and properly controlled biological testing will be needed before the shrub can be considered a viable source of CBD.
