Cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa l. and oil: Method validation and analysis by LC-MS/MS

In recent years, Cannabis sativa L. has experienced cultural and legal acceptance in many countries, both for recreational and medicinal use, so plant material and cannabis products are frequently seized in a country by local and federal authorities to control traffic. Consequently, appropriate methods for quantifying the cannabinoids are essential to ensure regulatory compliance of these products. The main cannabinoids of regulatory and safety interest include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN). In this study, an LC-MS/MS method was validated for the simultaneous analysis of THC, CBD, CBN and its acids CBDA, THCA, and CBNA in plant material and oil-based cannabis products, with LOQs ranging from 0.015 % to 0.18 %. The validated method was successfully applied to analyze 108 plant material (91 compressed, 11 inflorescences and six leaf) and four hashish samples provided by the Brazilian Federal Police, four cannabis roots provided by the Civil Police of the Federal District and 23 cannabis oils supplied by individuals or civil organizations. THC, THCA and CBN were found in all plant material samples, at the highest concentrations in compressed material (13.2, 8.69 and 2.77 %, respectively). None of the analyzed compounds were detected in the roots. All oil samples contained THC and CBD, with levels reaching 60.9 and 29.8 %, respectively; only four samples had THC levels within the Brazilian legal limit for medical use as phytopharmaceuticals or herbal medicine (up to 0.2 %). All hashish samples had THC (up to 58.5 %), THCA (up to 0.32 %) and CBN (up to 9.1 %). This study underscores the importance of quantifying these compounds amidst the diverse and rapidly changing regulatory landscape worldwide.