GC-MS-MS confirmation of unusually high delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol levels in two postmortem blood samples

Unusually high levels of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) were detected in two postmortem blood samples. Because of sample decomposition, the major metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THCCOOH), could not be determined using the routine EI-MS technique, which cast some doubt on the delta 9-THC result. Analysis of the sample extracts by GC-MS-MS confirmed the presence of delta 9-THC, although no delta 9-THCCOOH was detected.