@article{ref1,
title="Confirmation of cannabinoids in forensic toxicology casework by isomer-selective UPLC-MS-MS analysis in urine",
journal="Journal of analytical toxicology",
year="2023",
author="Rosano, Thomas G. and Cooper, Jane A. and Scholz, Kiley L. and Wood, Michelle",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="Confirmation of cannabinoid use by forensic toxicology testing in urine has been traditionally focused on ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) with analysis of its major metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-THC (∆9-cTHC), in free and conjugated forms. Legalization of hemp, however, has led to the widespread production and sale of cannabidiol (CBD) derivatives with psycho-activity, including ∆8-THC and ∆10-THC isomers. The increasing availability and growing use of isomer derivatives necessitate an expanded scope of cannabinoid confirmation test protocols. We report a quantitative, isomer-selective method of cannabinoid confirmation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of parent drug isomers (∆8-THC, ∆9-THC, ∆10-THC and CBD) as well as isomeric metabolites (∆8-cTHC and ∆9-cTHC). An efficient C18 phase chromatography on 1.6-µm solid core particles was used with a step gradient for near isocratic separation of both early-eluting THC metabolite isomers and later-eluting CBD and THC isomers. A rapid method of hydrolysis, dilution and analysis was employed for the quantitative co-determination of free and conjugated analytes, using stable isotope internal standardization. <br><br>METHOD validation is reported, along with interference assessment from a prior confirmation method. Casework experience with the isomer-selective method revealed a 14% prevalence of ∆8-cTHC positive cases with a pattern of concomitant ∆8-THC and ∆9-THC use. A comparison of ∆8-cTHC and ∆9-cTHC phase two metabolism is also reported.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0146-4760",
doi="10.1093/jat/bkad048",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkad048"
}