Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 32, Number 5, June, pp.349-354

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS–MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in whole blood. Samples were prepared by protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. Data were acquired using positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. Two transitions were selected for THC (m/z 315.0 > 193.0 and m/z 315.0 > 122.7) and THC-COOH (m/z 345.0 > 299.0 and m/z 345.0 > 327.0), and one transition was chosen for 11-OH-THC (m/z 331.0 > 313.0). Deuterated analogues of each analyte were used as internal standards for quantification. Run time was 10 min. Limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.05 ng/mL for THC, 0.1 ng/mL for 11-OH-THC, and 0.2 ng/mL for THC-COOH. Linearity was established from LOQ to 50 ng/mL for each substance (r² always > 0.999). Accuracy ranged from 96 to 106%, and imprecision was less than 10% for all analytes. The UPLC–MS–MS method was found to be sensitive, specific, and rapid because it requires no derivatization step. It can be an alternative to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the determination of cannabinoids in whole blood.

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