Conversion of water-soluble CBD to ∆9-THC in synthetic gastric fluid-An unlikely cause of positive drug tests

Published by Oxford University Press 2023. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US..

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to convert to ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) in acidic environments, raising a concern of conversion when exposed to gastric fluid after consumption. Using synthetic gastric fluid (SGF), it has been demonstrated that the conversion requires surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), due to limited solubility of CBD. Recently, water-compatible nanoemulsions of CBD have been prepared as a means of fortifying beverages and water-based foods with CBD. Since these emulsions contain surfactants as part of their formulation, it is possible that these preparations might enhance the production of ∆9-THC even in the absence of added surfactants. Three THC-free CBD products, an oil, an anhydrous powder and a water-soluble formulation, were incubated for 3 h in SGF without SDS. The water-soluble CBD product produced a dispersion, while the powder and the oil did not mix with the SGF. No THC was detected with the CBD oil (<0.0006% conversion), and up to 0.063% and 0.0045% conversion to ∆9-THC was observed with the water-soluble CBD and the CBD powder, respectively. No formation of ∆8-THC was observed. In comparison, when the nano-formulated CBD was incubated in SGF with 1% SDS, 33-36% conversion to ∆9-THC was observed. Even though the rate of conversion with the water-soluble CBD was at least 100-fold higher compared to the CBD oil, it was still smaller than ∆9-THC levels reported in CBD products labeled "THC-free" or "<0.3% THC" based on the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill). Assuming a daily CBD dose of around 30 mg/day, it is unlikely that conversion of CBD to ∆9-THC could produce a positive urinary drug test for 11-Nor-9-carboxy-∆9-THC (15 ng/mL cut-off).

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2023

Erschienen:

2023

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:47

Enthalten in:

Journal of analytical toxicology - 47(2023), 7 vom: 15. Sept., Seite 632-635

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Hart, E Dale [VerfasserIn]
Mullen, Lawrance [VerfasserIn]
Vikingsson, Svante [VerfasserIn]
Cone, Edward J [VerfasserIn]
Winecker, Ruth E [VerfasserIn]
Hayes, Eugene D [VerfasserIn]
Flegel, Ronald R [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

19GBJ60SN5
7J8897W37S
Cannabidiol
Dronabinol
Journal Article
Powders

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 18.09.2023

Date Revised 18.09.2023

published: Print

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1093/jat/bkad043

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM359411517