The legal landscape surrounding cannabis and cannabis is changing rapidly in the United States, Canada, and many other countries around the world. This plant no longer carries the stigma of the 20th century.

Over the past decade, it has been widely believed that cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenoids are caused by Cannabis. Can have a positive effect on well-being, but the potential adverse phenotypic and sociological outcomes are rarely considered.

Nonetheless, the actual situation of CB1 and CB2 receptors and endocannabinoids The system advocates for more research and understanding of phytocannabinoids and their role in physiology.

In the United States, the legal environment surrounding marijuana is a dense mosaic of borders between states and the federal government.

From the DEA’s perspective, cannabis plants or cannabinoid products are illegal if they contain more than 0.3% (by weight) of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly known as THC).

in an article smithsonianmag.com, Brian Handwerk writes, contemporary marijuana typically contains 18% to 30% THC. Such high THC levels are an order of magnitude stronger than marijuana in the 1980s.

Hemp is defined in the U.S. Federal Register as any part or derivative of a plant (including seeds) Cannabis Sativa L. The dry weight concentration of THC does not exceed 0.3%.

In this case, THC includes salts and isomers of THC. FDA must ensure that safe foods, drugs, and dietary supplements synthesized or derived from hemp or cannabis comply with DEA ??regulations.

The USDA must regulate hemp production.

In March 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a final rule requiring “maintenance of records on hemp production sites, testing for total THC levels, disposing of non-compliant plants, licensing hemp producers, and ensuring compliance with the new program.”

Legislation is defined for product testing in states that have legalized the medicinal or adult recreational use of cannabis products.

Microbial screening for residual pesticides and solvents, terpenes, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and Escherichia coli and Aspergillus. is a test that is usually required.

Regarding cannabinoids, states require quantitative assessments of total THC and total cannabidiol, a common phytocannabinoid derived from the decarboxylation of cannabidiolic acid.

These metrics are normalized sums of the corresponding acids plus neutral compounds. Total THC and total cannabidiol were determined by Equations 1 and 2.

Equation 1
Total THC = 0.877* [Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid] + [THC]

Equation 2
Total Cannabidiol = 0.877* [Cannabidiolic Acid] + [Cannabidiol]

More recently, delta-8-THC has been the controversial successor to THC.

In more chemically processed products, THC by-products have high potential for synthesis and often form compounds like delta-8-THC.

Although not defined in most regulations, quantitative determination of delta-8-THC is important for total THC accuracy.

What is delta-8-THC and how is it made?

Many people don’t realize that the marijuana plant doesn’t genetically synthesize THC.

In fact, the cannabis genome is encoded for the synthesis of eight phytocannabinoid acids.

From these acids, as many as 66 to 100 cannabinoids (there are allegedly hundreds of cannabinoids), including THC, are synthesized non-genetically through decarboxylation, photoirradiation, photooxidation, and other degradation processes.

In harvested plants, delta-8-THC is formed over time by a process that converts THC into closely “relative” chemically called isomers.

It has the same number of atoms and configuration as THC, but the position of the carbon-carbon double bond is different. This subtle difference results in different biochemical and physical properties of delta-8-THC compared to THC.

Although delta-8-THC is formed over time through natural processes, its relative concentrations are generally low compared to THC and cannabidiol in plant material.

Delta-8-THC is also easily synthesized from cannabidiol, and it is the THC isomer that is at the heart of controversy among delta-8-THC advocates, governments and regional jurisdictions.

What is the appeal of delta-8-THC?

Delta-8-THC is sometimes referred to as THC light.

Interestingly, it is claimed to have some psychoactive properties, but probably not the strong intoxicating properties of THC.

Of course, more Research Claims not evaluated in controlled studies must be evaluated.

The contemporary appeal of delta-8-THC is the compound’s legal status, and it’s somehow sidestepped
federal statute.

Is delta-8-THC legal?

Technically, no.

DEA considers delta-8-THC to be a synthetically derived Schedule I controlled substance.

According to Bill Weinberg of the CBD Project, controlled substances Name THC and delta-8-THC under its THC entry.

Is there a consumer market for delta-8-THC?

Sales of delta-8-THC products have grown exponentially since 2020.

Many delta-8-THC proponents claim that the 2018 Farm Bill omits to clearly state the legal status of delta-8-THC, so it is legal. However, many jurisdictions in the United States and the DEA disagree.

What is the future of delta-8-THC?

In products containing high concentrations of delta-8-THC, the compound is synthesized rather than obtained through the natural postharvest process of plant material.

Furthermore, delta-8-THC is an isomer of THC.

Both points create an uncertain future for delta-8-THC products in the United States, as the DEA considers the synthetic production of delta-8-THC to be illegal and that it is an isomer of THC.

Is delta-8-THC the ugly successor to THC, or will it be the next best thing for marijuana sales and consumption? It remains to be seen, but rest assured, the debate in the US will be fierce and heated for the foreseeable future ?

Disclaimer. Agilent products and solutions are designed for use in cannabis quality control and safety testing in laboratories permitted by state/national law. DE44320.4099189815

Dr. Anthony Macherone is a senior scientist at Agilent Technologies and a visiting professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His analytical expertise is LC/MS and GC/MS. For the past 4.5 years, Anthony has led a team of scientists developing analytical testing methods for cannabis and cannabis products.