Comprehensive chromatographic profiling of cannabis from 23 USA States marketed for medical purposes

Abstract

AbstractIn this research, cannabis varieties represent 23 USA States were assayed by GC-FID to generate their complex chemical profiles informative for plants clustering. Results showed that 45 cannabinoids and terpenoids were quantified in all plant samples, where 8 cannabinoids and 18 terpenoids were identified. Among organics, Δ9-THC, CBN (cannabinoids) and Fenchol (terpenoid) not only showed the highest levels overall contents, but also were the most important compounds for cannabis clustering. Among States, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii have the highest cannabis content. GC-FID data were subjected to PCA and HCA to find (1) the variations among cannabis chemical profiles as a result of growing environment, (2) to reveal the compounds that were responsible for grouping cultivars between clusters and (3) finally, to facilitate the future profile prediction and States clustering of unknown cannabis based on the chemical profile. The 23 cannabis USA States were grouped into three clusters based on only Δ9-THC, CBN, C1 and Fenchol content. Cannabis classification based on GC-profile will meet the practical needs of cannabis applications in clinical research, industrial production, patients' self-production, and contribute to the standardization of commercially-available cannabis cultivars in USA.