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Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 32, Number 2, March,
pp.160-164
Cannabinoid
Concentrations in Spot Serum Samples 24–48 Hours After Discontinuation
of Cannabis Smoking
Gisela Skopp and Lucia Pötsch
Institute of Legal Medicine and Traffic Medicine, University, Heidelberg,
Germany
A blood concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) in the low nanograms-per-milliliter range is often claimed
to result from drug use more than 24–48 h previously. The
present investigation determined concentrations of cannabinoids
in blood collected at least 24 h from smoking in an in-patient
setting. During sampling, distinctive effects due to drug use
could not be observed. The randomly collected samples from heavy
(n = 16, > 1 joint/day), moderate (n = 15, ≤ 1 joint/day),
and light (n = 6, < 1 joint/week) users of cannabis were analyzed
for THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (OH-THC), and free 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC
(THCCOOH) by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as well
as for glucuronidated THCCOOH by liquid chromatography–tandem
mass spectrometry. THC was detectable in 9, 6, and 1 samples
from heavy, moderate, and light users, respectively. Although
cannabinoid concentrations were overlapping between groups, there
was a trend towards higher concentrations of both conjugated
and free THCCOOH in regular users compared to occasional users.
The present findings appear to indicate that low levels of THC,
or of THC along with OH-THC, may not unequivocally prove a very
recent use of cannabis.
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