Differentiation between drug-type, fibre-type and intermediate-type in cannabis samples: HPLC-UV versus GC-FID

Cannabis sativa is known to be the most abused illegal drug worldwide. To date it not only used as a medicine but has been established lifestyle product. The relevant phytocannabinoids represent ingredients delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), whereby 9-THC shows psychoactive effect. Since 2017, so-called CBD-hemp containing CBD main ingredient distributed in many countries legal alternative. In these products, must exceed certain percentage. It hardly possible differentiate between THC-hemp presenting major challenge for authorities. Therefore, there need develop fast efficient analysis methods distinguish fibre-type, drug-type intermediate-type cannabis products. aim of this study was compare two simple inexpensive HPLC-UV GC-FID their ability quantify dried plant material. For purpose, set 37 fresh samples randomly chosen from seizures Austrian police subject complementary quantification CBD. After having taken into account decomposition phytocannabinoids, result quantitative showed good correlation regardless quantifying leaves or buds.