Comprehensive Safety Assessment of Diverse Cannabinoids: A Scientific Inquiry

Abstract

The surge in the popularity of cannabinoids has led to a proliferation of companies catering to the demand for such products. As the number of suppliers rises, so does the availability of consumable cannabinoid products. While some products undergo testing to meet acceptable standards, many companies opt for minimal testing that overlooks uncommon contaminants potentially harmful during smoking or inhalation. The unregulated cannabinoid market relies on reputable companies to establish standards ensuring the cleanliness of cannabinoid products. Although numerous reports explore the efficacy of cannabinoids, safety remains less extensively documented. Misconceptions about recreational cannabis use and variations in study methodologies, indications, dosing, and administration protocols hinder the overall assessment of the safety of cannabinoid-based medicines. The similarity in retention times and UV absorbance among many cannabinoids adds complexity to distinguishing isomers. Alternative techniques such as LC/MS, GC/MS, and NMR can aid in characterizing cannabinoids. Our study involved testing both high-purity cannabinoids and products from various companies, including crude and distilled THC, HHC, and THCP products which are popular among consumers. These tests were conducted against in-vitro lung cell lines to simulate the absorption of these products during inhalation. Considering the unregulated nature of the markets and the presence of both high-quality and low-quality products, our findings emphasize the importance for companies and consumers to prioritize clean products to remain competitive.

An HPLC Method for Separation of Delta 9 THC from Delta 8 THC

“…This concerning trend underscores the pressing need for accurate validation of cannabinoid concentrations within product batches. Notably, the validation process is complicated by the coelution of D8-THC and D9-THC during testing, leading to potential mischaracterization [12]. Internal Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s).…”

HPLC Method for Better Separation of THC Isomers to Ensure Safety and Compliance in the Hemp Market

“…HPLC cannabinoid methods tend to be faster and more efficient than GC cannabinoid methods, companies are often simultaneously looking for acidic cannabinoidswhich are decarboxylated or experience thermal breakdown under heator perhaps they simply do not have the budget for more instruments. Whatever the reason, the continued use of HPLC to quantify cannabinoids presents a few problems for the hemp industry, and at the top of the list is the notorious separation of Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC . Although there are many published methods for quantifying cannabinoids using HPLC, − quantification of Δ 9 -THC at <0.3% requires precision beyond what typical methods offer, as most do not achieve baseline resolution of Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC.…”

“…Whatever the reason, the continued use of HPLC to quantify cannabinoids presents a few problems for the hemp industry, and at the top of the list is the notorious separation of Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC. 14 Although there are many published methods for quantifying cannabinoids using HPLC, 15 − 21 quantification of Δ 9 -THC at <0.3% requires precision beyond what typical methods offer, as most do not achieve baseline resolution of Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC. Advancements in cannabinoid-based methodology are crucial not only for regulatory compliance, but also to ensure consumer safety, and to prevent adverse health effects associated with contaminated or mislabeled cannabinoid products.…”

In silico exploration of pyrocannabinoid interactions with key protein targets

“…The introduction of recent bills allowing for companies to sell novel and untested cannabinoids, leaves consumers open to possible adverse effects and possible complications from inhalation or consumption of these cannabinoids, with the mass production of the cannabinoids [4], introduction of byproducts and unclean product can lead to harm. The identification of the cannabinoids and their binding pockets, with in-silico data contributes to pre-investigational biologic studies and toxicology studies of consumed cannabinoids, while providing pertinent information for medicinal and organic chemists for possible drug design of novel analogs to surpass parent scaffolds.…”