Abstract: Methods are provided for the synthesis of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidibutol (CBD-C4), dihydrocannabidiol (DCBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), analogs thereof, and precursors to the foregoing. One method employs phloroglucinol or a phloroglucinol analog as a starting material. The syntheses are stereospecific, efficient, selective, and cost-effective, with little or no potential for generation of THC ((?)-trans-?9-tetrahydro-cannabinol) or any other psychoactive side product. Telescoped syntheses are also provided, as are new cannabinoids, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.