An evaluation of the cannabinoid content of the liquid and thermal degradation analysis of cannabis‐labeled vape liquids

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) vape pen usage has been on the rise given the changing political and scientific climate as well as the promotion of these delivery systems as a more accessible and lower‐risk option for consumers. Despite being marketed as a safer way to use cannabis, CBD vape liquids are sold without restrictions or meticulous quality control procedures such as toxicological and clinical assessment, standards for product preservation, or investigative degradation analyses. Nine CBD‐labeled vape liquid samples purchased and manufactured in the United States were evaluated and assessed for cannabinoid content. Quantification and validation of cannabinoids and matrix components was accomplished using gas and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis (GC–MS and LC–MS/MS) following liquid–liquid extraction with methanol. Samples degraded by temperature (analyzed by GC–MS) showed a greater disparity from the labeled CBD content compared with samples analyzed as purchased (by LC–MS/MS). Thermal degradation of the vape liquids showed increased levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Also, extended time and temperature degradation were evaluated in vape liquids by storing them for 15 months and then varying temperature conditions before analysis, which indicated CBD transformed into other cannabinoids leading to different cannabinoid content within the vape samples. Evaluation conducted on these vape liquids indicated the route of exposure, storage conditions, and length of storage could expose consumers to unintended cannabinoids and showed a concerning level of disagreement between the products' labeled cannabinoid content and the results generated by these analyses.