Electrochemical Oxidation of Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol at Nanomolar Concentrations

With increasing marijuana legalization, there is a growing need for technology that can determine if an individual is impaired due to recent marijuana usage. The electrochemical oxidation of Δ⁹-THC to form its corresponding quinones can be used as a framework to develop an electrochemical sensor for Δ⁹-THC. This study describes an electrochemical oxidation of Δ⁹-THC that uses a copper anode, a platinum cathode, and an atmosphere of oxygen. The oxidation is feasible at nanomolar concentrations, which approaches the reactivity that is necessary for developing a real-world marijuana breathalyzer. Moreover, we show that vaporized Δ⁹-THC can be captured directly in an electrolyte medium and subjected to electrochemical oxidation, thus paving the way for use in future technology development.