Headshot of Kristofer Marsh

Dr. Kristofer Marsh
Chief Scientific Officer
Smithers
SPEAKER
SAFETY & TESTING

Pyrocannabinoids: An investigation into smoked cannabinoid isolates
Smoking is the most common and historically enduring method of cannabis consumption, yet despite its popularity, the chemistry of what occurs when cannabinoids are combusted isn’t commonly discussed. While differences between the effects of smoked and ingested cannabis are often attributed to first-pass metabolism and pharmacokinetic variation, the transformation of phytocannabinoids into thermally derived compounds - known as 'pyrocannabinoids' - likely plays a major role. To explore these transformations, we examined the combustion products of three cannabinoid isolates - CBD, THCV, and THCA. Using patented selective capture technology from Real Isolates LLC, combusted isolate smoke was collected and analyzed alongside unsmoked isolates via UHPLC-PDA and GC-MS by Smithers. The results revealed noticeable differences before and after combustion: each pure isolate initially displayed a single dominant peak, while post-combustion samples exhibited multiple new peaks indicative of degradation and the formation of additional cannabinoids such as CBE, CBT, and CBND. These findings confirm that combustion and thermal degradation of cannabinoids results in transformations generating multiple reaction products with potential biological relevance. The results underscore the importance of further research into the chemistry and safety of smoke-derived compounds to better understand the pharmacological implications of cannabis inhalation and its distinction from other delivery methods.

Learning Objectives:

  • Smoking transforms pure cannabinoids into numerous new compounds

  • Patented selective capture technology isolates and preserves smoke compounds for analysis

  • Understanding combustion products and 'pyrocannabinoids' is critical for safety and testing
BIO
Dr. Kristofer Marsh is the Chief Scientific Officer of Smithers Cannabis Testing Services Division, as well the State Director for Smithers’ New York laboratory. He has over 9 years of experience in the Cannabis testing industry spanning operations in 11 U.S. states and is a member of the Cannabis Science Section with the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL). Dr. Marsh holds a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles.

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