The content of basic cannabinoids and their mutual ratios in Cannabis sativa L. plant

• Published in: Acta Periodica Technologica
• Main Authors: Dragoljić Mirjana M., Rodić-Grabovac Branka B., Vasiljević Ljubica C., Matić Vesna Č., Simurdić Ljiljana O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Technology, Novi Sad 2019-01-01
• Subjects: cannabinoids; δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol; cannabidiol; cannabinol
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-7188/2019/1450-71881950059D.pdf
• ISSN: 1450-7188; 2406-095X

Cannabinoids are typical chemical ingredients of a Cannabis sativa L. plant. The main psychoactive ingredient of this plant is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, whose content mostly determines the strength or potential of a cannabis product. In addition to this ingredient, the forensic analysis also includes determination of the presence and content of cannabidiol and cannabinol. Over the last couple of decades, there have been changes in chemical composition of cannabis products in many countries, and they manifest through the increase of total psychoactive potential. Monitoring of basic cannabinoids content and their mutual ratios, processed in this paper, has shown that there is a growing number of samples with high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, while the cannabidiol (CBD) content is very low or is not present in samples at all. The THC/CBD ratio also confirms changes in plant chemotype in terms of increasing total psychoactive potential of a cannabis plant.