JWH-196 is a synthetic cannabinoid receptor ligand from the naphthylmethylindole family. It is the indole 2-methyl derivative of related compound JWH-175, and the carbonyl reduced analog of JWH-007. The binding affinity of JWH-196 for the CB<sub>1</sub> receptor is reported as K<sub>i</sub> = 151 ñ 18 nM.
In the United States, all CB<sub>1</sub> receptor agonists of the 3-(1-naphthylmethane)indole class such as JWH-196 are Schedule I Controlled Substances.