This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends related to minor cannabinoids, providing insight into both the historical evolution and the current thematic structure of the field. It is important to note that the dataset reflects minor cannabinoid research embedded within the broader context of cannabinoid science. The presence of major cannabinoids (e.g., in keyword clusters) is a consequence of the inclusive search strategy employed to capture the full scope of minor cannabinoid investigations. The increasing volume and diversification of research over the past two decades highlight the growing scientific, medical, and regulatory interest in this previously underexplored class of bioactive compounds.

The sharp growth in publication output, particularly from 2017 onward, temporally aligns with an inflection point in cannabinoid science. This surge coincides with several converging factors, including the legal reclassification of cannabis and hemp in multiple jurisdictions, increased public demand for plant-based therapeutics, and growing interest from the pharmaceutical sector (Russo 2019; Ransing et al. 2022; Chaachouay and Zidane 2024). While bibliometric data cannot establish a direct causal link, the synchronicity between these legislative milestones and the surge in academic output suggests a strong association between regulatory openness and scientific productivity. Similarly, the rise in analytical publications parallels advancements in high-resolution mass spectrometry, suggesting that technological availability has been a key enabler of compound identifications (Omar et al. 2013; Hazekamp 2018; Olejar et al. 2022).

The analysis of publishing patterns reveals that the field is multidisciplinary by nature, drawing contributions from molecular sciences, pharmacology, plant biology, and analytical chemistry. Journals such as Molecules, the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, the British Journal of Pharmacology, and Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research have emerged as key platforms, reflecting a balance between fundamental chemical characterization and applied biomedical research. The presence of specialized outlets like Journal of Analytical Toxicology and Forensic Science International suggests a bibliometric maturation of the field, moving beyond botanical exploration toward rigorous detection and toxicological characterization.

Geographically, the research landscape is dominated by the United States, Italy, and Canada, consistent with earlier bibliometric findings that highlight these nations’ leadership in both natural product chemistry and translational cannabis research (Haboubi et al. 2024; Laaboudi et al. 2024). The prevalence of international collaborations, particularly among researchers in Europe and North America, signals a growing global network that fosters knowledge exchange and accelerates discovery. The high number of collaborations is also reflective of the need for constant beneficial exchange between high cannabis producing countries and scientifically advanced countries.

Keyword co-occurrence analysis further reinforces the interdisciplinary complexity of the field. The emergence of three major conceptual clusters, spanning Clinical Pharmacology (Cluster 1), Preclinical Models (Cluster 2), and Analytical Forensics (Cluster 3), reflects the multitude of approaches used to investigate minor cannabinoids. The prominence of “cannabinoid”, “CB2”, and “nonhuman” as central terms supports the observation that cannabinoid research operates at the intersection of molecular biology and preclinical pharmacology, with increasing translation into therapeutic applications.

The temporal evolution of research themes, captured through longitudinal keyword mapping, indicates a clear progression from foundational metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies (1970–1990 s) to more recent molecular, computational, and translational approaches. The early focus on “kinetics” and “microsomes” (Grotenhermen 2003) laid the groundwork for understanding bioavailability. In the modern era (2015–2024), the emergence of terms such as “molecular docking,” “CBG,” and “CBGA” suggests a paradigm shift toward bioinformatics and systems biology. This integration of in silico modeling with wet-lab pharmacology marks a new frontier in drug discovery, allowing researchers to screen minor cannabinoids against specific targets more efficiently (Bell et al. 2024; Abbou et al. 2025).

Furthermore, the Most Cited Documents analysis confirms that the field is anchored in rigorous pharmacology rather than just recent trends. The enduring influence of Pertwee (2008) on receptor profiles and Grotenhermen (2003) on pharmacokinetics serves as the intellectual cornerstone of the discipline. These works provide the essential mechanistic definitions, agonism, antagonism, and metabolic processing that currently guide the clinical investigation of minor cannabinoids.

In summary, the evolution of the research landscape, viewed through the lens of minor cannabinoids embedded within the broader field, highlights the need to invest in translational research linking preclinical findings to human studies, expand omics-based approaches to elucidate cannabinoid mechanisms, and refine therapeutic pipelines for non-psychotropic cannabinoids.