Virginia Commonwealth University
SPEAKER
SAFETY
“Hemp-derived” Cannabis Products
Bellwether signs of the widespread negative implications of readily available high-concentration or nearly pure cannabinoid products have existed for approximately a decade. The adverse events were not well understood, and thus, not well characterized by medical personnel, creating unamplified public health concerns and a significant knowledge gap. Ramifications of the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act include the over-production of CBD which, subsequently, led to the manufacture of semi-synthetic cannabinoids. These tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analogs include structural alterations in the position and number of double bonds in the alicyclic ring, acetylation of the hydroxyl on the aromatic ring, and/or changing the number of carbons in the alkyl side chain. They are marketed as “legal” and “hemp-derived” and have largely unknown potency and efficacy. Products oftentimes contain unlabeled and mislabeled compounds. Consequently, consumers experience untoward or unexpected adverse events, which some refer to as “greening out”. Since the unregulated cannabis industry is continuously evolving to produce new semi-synthetic cannabinoids, new methods are needed to analyze cannabis products for quality assurance purposes.
Objective
To develop and validate a method for the separation and quantitation of thirty-two phytocannabinoids and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette formulations (e-liquids) and edible products, to include commonly available isobaric compounds and acetate esters.
Methods
Products were purchased as part of a surveillance program, submitted from consumers experiencing adverse events, or confiscated in schools across Virginia. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method using a Shimadzu LCMS 8050 with a Shim Pack Volex C18 column held at 40ºC and mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in 17:83 water:methanol was employed. The inter- and intra-precision and bias, carryover, linearity, limit of quantitation (LOQ), post-preparative stability, and dilution integrity were evaluated. A seven-point calibration curve from 2.5 - 250 mg/mL of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ8- THC, Δ10-THC, Δ6a,10a-THC, cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), CBD, cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA-A), hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabutol (THCB), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), Δ8-THCP, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabihexol (THCH), CBD-di-acetate, CBN-acetate, Δ9-THC-acetate, and HHC-acetate with deuterated internal standards of Δ9-THC-d3, CBD-d3, Δ9-THC-acetate-d3, and CBD-di-acetate-d3 was used.
Learning Objectives:
- Able to identify the common alterations to the THC molecule and associated issues of product quality
- Able to share and/or adapt the presented method to improve the analysis of cannabinoid products
- Able to advocate for science-based policy knowing ramifications of unregulated cannabinoids
Dr. Peace has provided testimony and opinions to develop scientifically relevant and robust policy and legislation at the state and federal levels, and she consults with companies and school systems as they re-develop smoking policies to include vaping. Her work has been highlighted in mainstream media, like the New York Times, CNN, Consumer Reports, and AARP, and described as impactful by Discover Magazine and the American Chemical Society’s Chemical & Engineering News. Dr. Peace is a Past President of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists and is a member of The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. She is a member of the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division. She was recognized by VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences for Distinguished Mentoring and nationally for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring by the Society of Forensic Toxicologists.
ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT.
