Analysis of a Commercial Marijuana e-Cigarette Formulation

Area of Science:

• Forensic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Cannabis Science

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were initially designed for nicotine delivery, simulating tobacco smoking without its associated pathology.
• The legalization of marijuana in several US states has led to the development of marijuana-infused e-cigarette products.
• Accurate product analysis is crucial for consumer safety and regulatory compliance in the burgeoning legal cannabis market.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the chemical composition of a specific marijuana e-cigarette formulation, Liberty Reach.
• To quantify the concentrations of key cannabinoids, specifically Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
• To identify other chemical constituents present in the e-cigarette, including additional cannabinoids and terpenes.

Main Methods:

• High-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) was employed for precise cannabinoid quantification.
• Direct Analysis in Real Time-AccuTOF™ mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) were utilized for comprehensive chemical identification.
• Analysis focused on identifying and quantifying cannabinoids, terpenes, and potential adulterants like propylene glycol.

Main Results:

• The analyzed Liberty Reach e-cigarette contained 42.6% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 0.5% cannabidiol (CBD) by weight/volume (w/v).
• These measured concentrations were substantially lower than the product's labeled concentrations of 69% THC and 1% CBD.
• The analysis identified four distinct cannabinoids, thirteen marijuana terpenes, and propylene glycol within the e-cigarette formulation.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights significant discrepancies between the labeled and actual cannabinoid content in the Liberty Reach marijuana e-cigarette.
• The presence of identified compounds, including terpenes and propylene glycol, provides insight into the e-cigarette's formulation.
• This analysis underscores the importance of independent laboratory testing to ensure product accuracy and consumer safety in the cannabis market.