This study presents the statistical results of the identification and quantification of various cannabinoids present in samples of cannabis and of derived or processed cannabis-based products for each of the different matrices during the years 2018 to 2023.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The matrices under study are plant samples, oils, extracts and e-liquids. Cannabinoid analysis was performed via a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) machine equipped with a diode array detector (DAD) using Norgestrel as internal standard (IS). The methods used are based on those published by the New York State Department of Health [1,2]. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for all cannabinoids is 0.033 wt/wt%.
Total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and total cannabidiol (CBD) were calculated by adding to the neutral cannabinoid value the theoretical value of the decarboxylated acid cannabinoid (0.877,x% acid cannabinoid).
Plant samples were classified according to the EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA 11.5: THC-dominant (Total THC >5% and total CBD <1%), THC/CBD intermediate type (Total CBD and total THC >1%) and CBD-dominant (total CBD >5% and total THC <1%). Those with total THC content under 0.2% were classified as being of fibre type (total CBD ≤5% and total THC ≤0.2%).
Oils and extracts were divided between Full Spectrum (THC>LOQ, CBD>LOQ and presence of two or more other cannabinoids) and Broad Spectrum (THC<LOQ, CBD>LOQ and presence of two or more other cannabinoids). We also distinguished oils containing only CBD, without other cannabinoids being present (isolates).
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
According to the ANOVA, there are significant differences in average total THC in THC-dominant samples in the year 2023 compared to the four earlier years, with the THC in 2023 being the highest. In intermediate THC/CBD samples, the trend is towards plants with higher total CBD content than total THC. The average and maximum total CBD content in CBD-dominant plants is lower than the total THC content in THC-dominant samples . Although the ANOVA shows significant differences in average total CBD in CBD-dominant samples over the years, these differences are not significant between 2018 and 2023, so a trend towards a higher CBD value cannot be inferred. The maximum concentration of total CBD in fibre samples is conditioned by the legal limit of total THC, as it is difficult to exceed total CBD concentrations of 5% if there is a risk of exceeding the value of 0.2% in total THC.
Average CBD content of so-called Full Spectrum and Broad Spectrum oils is very similar. However, oils that only contain CBD (isolates) have a much lower average. One of the causes may be that when Full Spectrum extracts are used in the production of the oil the amounts added must be low to avoid a significant presence of THC in the final product. While average CBD in Full Spectrum oils do not show significant differences over the years, Broad Spectrum oils did show a slight increase compared to the first two years. This may be due to the improvement and/or implementation of new or more efficient extraction techniques that allow for a higher concentration of CBD in the extract used for the production of the oil, with a lower content of THC and other residues. This is in line with what was observed in Broad Spectrum extracts, in which average CBD value has increased significantly over the years.
In the case of e-liquids, there is a predominance of those containing CBD, with hardly any THC present. The average concentration of total CBD in these e-liquids (4,37%) is conditioned mainly by the low solubility of the cannabinoid in these matrices.
