Quantification of Cannabis in Infused Consumer Products and Their Residues on Skin

Abstract

Cannabis consumer products are a $4.6 billion industry in the U.S. that is projected to exceed $14 billion by 2025. Despite an absence of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation or clinical data, thousands of nutraceuticals, topical consumer products, and beauty products claim benefits of hemp or cannabidiol. However, a lack of required quality control measures prevents consumers from knowing the true concentration or purities of cannabis-labeled products. Thirteen over-the-counter consumer products were examined for the presence of cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA). Additionally, the efficacy of topical applications was investigated using a porcine skin model, in which particle size and zeta potential relate to skin permeability. Skin permeation was correlated to particle size and relative stability in skin-like conditions but not directly related to the CBD content, suggesting that topical products can be designed to enhance overall skin permeation. Of the products analyzed, all products have some traceable amount of cannabinoids, while seven products had multiple cannabinoids with quantifiable amounts. Overall, the need for further regulation is clear, as most products have apparent distinctions between their true and labeled contents.

Evaluations of Skin Permeability of Cannabidiol and Its Topical Formulations by Skin Membrane-Based Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay and Franz Cell Diffusion Assay

“…Thus, in our current study, an artificial membrane, i.e., the cellulose acetate membrane representing the general biological features of the skin with desired feasibility and reproducibility [ 27 ], was selected to study the skin permeability of CBD formulations. This method was also used in a recently reported study showing that CBD's concentration and skin permeability in various cannabis-infused consumer products can be contrasting due to their formulations [ 17 ]. Thus, it is crucial to analyze the skin permeability of CBD using the IVRT assay with a cellulose acetate membrane in topical formulations.…”

“…In addition, a novel formulation (a CBD-loaded O/A microemulsion microemulgel) was developed to enhance the locally acting performance of CBD for dermatological applications [ 16 ]. Additionally, a recent study analyzed the levels of CBD in several cannabis-infused consumer products, which revealed that many commercial products contain little to no detectable CBD [ 17 ]. This study also showed that CBD in these products may not penetrate the skin depending on their formulation.…”

Analysis of Cannabinoids in Lotions Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

“…The water-based CBD lotion and corresponding matrix lotion samples were prepared by weighing the lotion to the nearest 0.1 mg with a clean spatula as summarized in Tables and . , Then, 25 mL of methanol was added to the centrifuge tube, which was capped and shaken for 15 s to remove the lotion from the sides. The sample was placed in the centrifuge for 15 min at room temperature.…”

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

“…Gradient elution with mobile phases of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% TA B L E 1 List of the CBD vape liquids analyzed with their labeled cannabis component. formic acid in acetonitrile (B) were utilized to separate analytes and matrix components [44]. The column was maintained at a temperature of 40°C with an injection volume of 2 μL with a 10-second preand post-injection needle wash using mobile phase B.…”

“…Detection in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was performed using the following parameters: gas temperature at 300°C, gas flow at 5 L/ min, nebulizer at 45 psi, sheath gas at 250°C and 11 L/min, capillary voltage at 3500 V for both positive and negative analysis, and nozzle voltage at 500 V for both positive and negative analysis. MRM transitions monitored for target cannabinoids were previously published [44]. The Agilent MassHunter Data Acquisition software was used for data acquisition.…”