Kick starting method development for hemp analysis using cannabis as equivalent material

Abstract

Cannabis (or marijuana) is detrimental to humans because of its psychoactive effects. The plant materials of this genus have however been credited with its vast nutritional values. As its benefits outweigh harmful effects, some countries have legalized the use of fiber-type cannabis – a plant product called hemp. Hemp is deemed to contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) below the legal limit (e.g. <0.3% THC) and thus less psychoactive. It is safe to use hemp if it contains no or little THC. So the enforcement bodies must check its level to assure safety prior to sales. Notwithstanding this, hemp cultivation as well as consumption is not lawful in Malaysia. But recently, federal government has shown interest in growing and commercializing hemp. In this regard, an analytical method for identifying hemp must be developed. In the absence of hemp, a liquid chromatographic method was developed using cannabis plants as equivalent materials to mimic the target plant matrix. The validation procedure demonstrated that the method was able to achieve good selectivity with a detection limit =0.0005 mg/mL (or 0.008%) THC. It was precise (imprecision <3%) and accurate (recovery =98.76%) to quantify THC. The detector response was linear up to 0.05 mg/mL (0.8%) THC. This method is cheap and simple for routine application.