An investigation of tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol content of cannabis confiscated by the South African Police Service's Forensic Laboratories from various regions of South Africa
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Aim: The aim was to quantify the tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) levels in cannabis from various towns and cities in South Africa from samples confiscated by the SAPS Forensic Laboratories in an effort to assess the quality with regard to potency of the cannabis in a localised South African market.Introduction: Cannabis, most commonly used illicit recreational substance globally, is from a preparation of flowering plants that synthesize a unique class of compounds known as the cannabinoids.Pharmacologically, the principal psychoactive constituent is a cannabinoid called Δ 9 -THC.The amount of Δ 9 -THC in conjunction with selected additional cannabinoid compounds, determines the strength or potency of the cannabis product.Recently, reports have speculated over the change in the quality of cannabis products over the past few decades specifically with regards to the increase in cannabinoid content which subsequently affects the strength of the drug product.South Africa currently has no monitoring programs or studies investigating the cannabis circulating the market.Methodology: Selected cannabinoids were extracted in a methanol: chloroform (9:1 v/v) solution.Isocratic chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini 3µ C18 110A (50 X 2.00mm) column with methanol and a 10mM ammonium acetate solution (1:1 v/v) as the injection solvent and acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase.Spectrometric analysis was performed on an AB Sciex 2000 mass spectrometer with turbo spray ionisation in the positive mode.The transitions of the protonated parent ions m/z 315, m/z 315 and m/z 311, to the product ions m/z 193, 193 and 223 was monitored for Δ 9 -THC, CBD and CBN respectively.The calibration curves fit quadratic regressions and the lower limit of quantitation for all three analytes was set at 1.56µg/ml.Results: No CBD was detected in the cannabis sample studied.CBN and Δ 9 -THC was detected in all samples.All samples contained high levels of the degradation product.Gugulethu had the highest concentration of CBN at 19.05%, whilst Swellendam had the highest concentration of Δ 9 -THC at 20.62%.The average CBN and Δ 9 -THC was 6.68% and 4.84% respectively.The mean CBN/Δ 9 -THC ratio of all the samples was 1.91.The sum of Δ 9 -THC and CBN showed no distinct pattern in cannabinoid content between districts in and surrounding Cape Town. Conclusion:The lack of CBD in the samples is indicative of a Cannabis sativa cannabis strain.Results indicate the samples used in this study are relatively old, with degradation of the active component evident.The results of this study in comparison to previous literature support an increase in cannabinoid content during the past few decades.
Author: Rolanda Sabrina Londt
Language: English
Subfield: Toxicology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2286347136