Synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Synthetic cannabinoids, such as JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47497, and CP-47497 C8, were temporarily controlled by the DEA in 2010 due to their reported cannabis-like effects.
• These substances, often marketed as "Spice" or "K2", pose challenges for detection and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the first analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of multiple synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid.
• To apply this method to analyze oral fluid specimens from individuals who consumed synthetic cannabinoid products.

Main Methods:

• Oral fluid specimens were collected using the Quantisal™ device.
• Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was employed for sample preparation.
• Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was utilized for the simultaneous detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids.

Main Results:

• The validated method successfully detected JWH-018 in oral fluid specimens.
• Peak concentrations of JWH-018 were observed at 35 μg/L (35 minutes post-smoking) and 5 μg/L (20 minutes post-smoking) in two different subjects.
• JWH-018 remained detectable in oral fluid for up to 12 hours after a single use in one subject.

Conclusions:

• A novel analytical method for the simultaneous determination of synthetic cannabinoids in oral fluid has been successfully developed and validated.
• This method provides a valuable tool for forensic toxicology and clinical monitoring of synthetic cannabinoid use.
• The study demonstrates the persistence of JWH-018 in oral fluid for a significant duration post-consumption.