The determination of cannabinoids using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection

Because of their prevalence in drugged driving and other medicolegal investigations, cannabinoids are routinely analyzed by forensic laboratories. Until relatively recently, these analyses were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). However, the need for derivatization and extensive sample preparation made GC-MS approaches tedious and time consuming. As a consequence, many laboratories have explored alternative analysis techniques. The advent of more affordable liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) instruments and the utility of atmospheric pressure ionization sources have made LC-MS a promising alternative to GC-MS for the detection and quantitation of cannabinoids in forensic applications.