Abstract ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) plays a major role in driving under the influence of drugs investigations and workplace drug testing. Additionally, cannabidiol (CBD), as well as semi-synthetic cannabinoids, like hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and ∆8-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆8-THC), are increasingly found on regulated and unregulated drug markets. A straightforward bioanalytical method was developed, covering 14 analytes, including ∆9-THC, CBD, ∆8-THC, and their respective metabolites, as well as HHC and a subset of minor phytocannabinoids. Sample cleanup consisted of one precipitation step conducted in a 96-well plate format and requiring only 50 µL of whole blood. For analysis an ultra high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a triple quadrupole mass...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) products, made from hemp-derived cannabidiol, have become more widely available since changes in legislation allowed hemp to be excluded from controlled substances. These products are often perceived as a safe, legal, and accessible alternative to marijuana or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. However, scientific research on their effects remains limited. There have been reports of psychiatric symptoms associated with Δ8-THC use, although the literature is not yet comprehensive. In this report, we present three cases of patients with distinct preexisting psychiatric disorders who developed various psychiatric manifestations, including psychosis, after using Δ8-THC products. All three individuals had...

Abstract Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a phytocannabinoid that is becoming popular across the North American cannabis market. THCV has been reported to reduce blood sugar and act as an appetite suppressant in several independent pre-clinical studies, which has earned it the popular nickname of “diet weed,” despite few human studies of these effects. Additionally, THCV is usually and incorrectly categorized as an intoxicating analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes confusion among both consumers and regulators. In this article, we examine what is known pre-clinically and clinically about THCV, as well as highlight mechanisms of action, in order to clarify the scientific differences between THCV and...

Abstract Background Cannabis is increasingly used and debates about the legalisation of the recreational use of cannabis are ongoing. In this prospective, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers not regularly consuming cannabis, subjective psychotropic and somatic effects after a single dose of intravenous THC were assessed and quantified over 48 h. Methods Twenty-five healthy volunteers received a single IV bolus of THC and 6 received normal saline. Psychotropic and somatic effects of THC were assessed by two questionnaires that were completed at up to 14 timepoints from shortly before drug administration to 48 h later. Results Demographic data did not differ between groups. Differences between THC and...

Abstract Background and Aims Substance use disorders (SUD) lead to a high burden of disease, yet treatment options are limited. Cannabidiol (CBD) is being investigated as a potential therapeutic target due to its pharmacological properties and mode of action in the endocannabinoid system. Recent systematic reviews (SR) on CBD and SUDs have shown inconsistent results. The objective of this umbrella review was to determine whether CBD alone or in combination with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is effective for managing and treating SUDs. Methods Following a registered protocol, we searched PubMed, Web of Science and Epistemonikos databases for SRs, with or without a meta-analysis, of randomized controlled...

Abstract Introduction: Animal studies suggest that adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the intoxicating constituent of cannabis, causes lasting functional alterations in brain and other organs. Those studies often neglect the impact that age- and sex-dependent differences in the distribution and metabolism of the drug might exert on its pharmacological effects. Here, we provide a comparative analysis of Δ9-THC pharmacokinetics in adolescent and adult female mice, which identify significant dissimilarities in distribution and metabolism of Δ9-THC between females of these age groups. Materials and Methods: We administered Δ9-THC (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) to adolescent (37-day old) and young adult (70-day old) female mice and quantified Δ9-THC...

Abstract Purpose Patients with cancer commonly access cannabis hoping to relieve their symptoms. This study assessed whether a 1:1 10 mg/ml THC:CBD combination oil could improve total symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer over that provided by palliative care alone. Methods Participants were randomised to medicinal cannabis (MC) or placebo oil; dose escalated over 14 days according to tolerance and efficacy and continued to day 28. Symptoms assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were summated to give a total symptom distress score (TSDS). The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline in TSDS at day 14. Secondary outcomes included individual symptom scores,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Aim: Few studies have directly compared the bioavailability of different cannabinoid formulations. Our goal was to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability of two Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD) formulations: orally administered THC:CBD extract and oromucosally administered nabiximols. Methods: This pilot crossover study counterbalanced (1) 1 mL of orally administered THC:CBD extract (10 mg/mL each of THC and CBD in grapeseed oil) and (2) oromucosally administered nabiximols (four sprays of 2.7 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD per spray, for a total dose of 10.8 mg THC and 10 mg CBD). Blood samples were obtained pre-dose and...

Abstract The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and defined it as cannabis plant material having not more than 0.3% ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) by dry weight. This has opened the door for the sale of hemp-derived ∆8-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆8-THC), a psychoactive isomer of ∆9-THC. Hemp has minimal amounts of naturally occurring ∆8-THC; however, the cannabidiol found in hemp can be chemically converted into ∆8-THC. Unfortunately, depending on the method of conversion, the amount of ∆8-THC, ∆9-THC, and other by-products can vary widely. For many laboratories, the emergence of ∆8-THC products resulted in analytical challenges because of the structural similarity of the isomers resulting in coelution. In response,...

Abstract Point-of-collection testing (POCT) devices are widely used in roadside and workplace drug testing to identify recent cannabis use by measuring the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid (OF). However, the performance of POCT devices with oral medicinal cannabis products remains poorly described. In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover trial, adults with insomnia disorder (n = 20) received a single (2 mL) oral dose of oil containing 10 mg THC + 200 mg cannabidiol, or placebo, prior to sleep. Participants were tested with the Securetec DrugWipe® 5S (10 ng/mL THC cut-off) and Dräger DrugTest® 5000 (25 ng/mL THC cut-off) POCT devices at baseline (pre-treatment) and then at 0.5, 10, and 18 h post-treatment. An...