Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Directed Research Project
First Advisor
Dr. Michelle Peace
Second Advisor
Justin Poklis
Third Advisor
Dr. Erin Karschner
Fourth Advisor
Lisa Davis
Abstract
The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act federally legalized the growth of hemp and manufacture and sale of cannabidiol (CBD). The overproduction of CBD led to a steep decline in its price. To maintain profits, manufacturers turned to the production of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, marketed as “legal” and “hemp-derived” based on their synthesis from CBD. Laboratory methodologies have been unable to keep pace with new cannabinoid compounds being manufactured. Detection methods are important, as unlabeled and mislabeled products have resulted in untoward and unexpected adverse events. Therefore, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the separation and quantitation of 21 cannabinoids. The method was applied in the analysis of 55 commercially available products. Results demonstrate poor quality assurance and labeling practices in the unregulated cannabis market, with many products not containing the labeled cannabinoids or containing one or more unlisted cannabinoids. Labeled concentrations, when present, were often incorrect. Extremely high concentrations of cannabinoids, exceeding the concentrations naturally found in the cannabis plant were detected, which may lead to health and safety complications. Further, safety, dosing, and other pharmacological data are not available for most of these new cannabinoids, leaving consumers to rely on self-experimentation or anecdotal reports. Consumers are increasingly reporting adverse events to poison control centers and emergency departments after consuming cannabis products, but due to self-reporting and symptom-specific treatment, the cannabinoids involved are often not investigated. It is critical to establish more comprehensive testing methodologies to determine what is in the products consumers have access to, and more robust quality assurance measures and regulations to ensure that the public are protected from entities selling low-quality, dangerous products.
Rights
© The Author(s)
Is Part Of
VCU Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Date of Submission
4-30-2024