THC and CBD concentrations in blood, oral fluid and urine following a single and repeated administration of “light cannabis”

Abstract

Background“Light cannabis” is a product legally sold in Europe with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration lower than 0.2% and variable cannabidiol (CBD) content. We studied THC and CBD excretion profiles in blood, oral fluid (OF) and urine after smoking one or four light cannabis cigarettes.MethodsBlood, OF and urine samples were obtained from six healthy light cannabis consumers after smoking one 1 g cigarette containing 0.16% THC and 5.8% CBD and from six others after smoking four 1 g cigarettes within 4 h. Sample collection began 0.5 and 4.5 h after smoking one or four cigarettes, respectively. Cannabinoid concentrations were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).ResultsAt the first collection, the highest THC and CBD concentrations occurred in blood (THC 7.0–10.8 ng/mL; CBD 30.2–56.1 ng/mL) and OF (THC 5.1–15.5 ng/mL; CBD 14.2–28.1 ng/mL); similar results occurred 0.5 h after the last of four cigarettes in blood (THC 14.1–18.2 ng/mL, and CBD 25.6–45.4 ng/mL) and OF (THC 11.2–24.3 ng/mL; CBD 14.4–37.0 ng/mL). The mean OF to blood ratio ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 after one and 0.6 to 1.9 after four light cannabis cigarettes. THC/CBD ratios in blood and OF were never greater than 2. Urinary 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC concentrations peaked 8 h after one and four cigarettes.ConclusionsOF was a valuable alternative to blood in monitoring consumption of light cannabis. Blood and OF THC/CBD concentration ratios, never exceeded 2, possibly providing a useful biomarker to identify light cannabis vs illegal higher THC cannabis use, where THC/CBD ratios are generally greater than 10.

Long-Term Consequences of Adolescent Exposure to THC-Rich/CBD-Poor and CBD-Rich/THC-Poor Combinations: A Comparison with Pure THC Treatment in Female Rats

“…In addition, some teens may initiate use of "light cannabis" products for either recreational or self-medication purposes. In this work, we investigated, for the first time, possible long-term consequences of adolescent administration of a CBD-rich/THC-poor combination at a ratio of 0.33 and with a total THC content of 0.3%, resembling the average contents found in "light cannabis" products available in Italy [19]. Chronic treatment with this CBD-rich/THC-poor combination during adolescence in female rats did not induce depressive-like behaviors in the FST, social behavior deficits nor anxiety-like behaviors in the EPM at adulthood.…”

“…According to the transformation of human-equivalent doses proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and considering an average THC content of herbal cannabis of about 10.22% in Europe [36], the lowest dose (2.5 mg/kg) corresponded to half of a joint, the second one (5 mg/kg) to one joint, and the highest one (10 mg/kg) to two joints. THC/CBD ratios of 3 and 0.33, reminiscent of THC-rich/CBD-poor and CBD-rich/THCpoor cannabis, respectively, were chosen based on the analysis of 531 confiscated illegal cannabis samples in Europe [18] and the average THC/CBD ratio in cannabis-light products [19]. For CBD-rich/THC-poor combination, a THC content of 0.3% was considered.…”

“…Additionally, we evaluated for the first time the long-term effects of chronic administration of a THC/CBD combination reminiscent of CBD-rich/THC-poor cannabis (CBD administered in a 33:1 ratio relative to THC; THC content of 0.3%) in female rats. These ratios were chosen based on the analysis of confiscated illegal cannabis samples in Europe showing a ratio of at least 3 [18] and the average contents of the two cannabinoids in "light cannabis" products [19]. Pure THC, or THC/CBD combinations were administered from postnatal day (PND) 35 to 45 to female Sprague-Dawley rats and, starting from PND 75, cognitive performance and emotional behavior were assessed.…”

Annual banned‐substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2019/2020

“…Further, the quality of several CBD products has been questioned, especially concerning the substantial presence of other natural cannabinoids (e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, cannabigerol, and cannabichromene), all of which could cause an AAF if detected at concentrations exceeding established thresholds or reporting levels 173 ; nevertheless, recent prevalence studies demonstrated that a considerable number of study participants from sports characterized by frequent high‐impact collisions have used CBD products for improved recovery, pain, and sleep management, largely without consulting a nutritionist 174 . In order to avoid inadvertent AAFs, thorough and immediate education of athletes and their entourage is recommended, also with regards to the use of products labeled as, for example, “light cannabis.” 175 …”

“…174 In order to avoid inadvertent AAFs, thorough and immediate education of athletes and their entourage is recommended, also with regards to the use of products labeled as, for example, "light cannabis." 175…”