Eleven THC analogs were detected from oil and herbal products.

ABSTRACT

Since 2021, products claiming to contain Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) analogs have been distributed online and in physical stores, including liquid cartridges for electronic cigarettes, herbal products, and gummy products. This study identified the ingredients in products claiming to contain THC analogs distributed online. Seven oil products and one herbal product were analyzed via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–photodiode array–mass spectrometry (LC–PDA–MS). After isolating and purifying the unknown components from the products, structural analysis was performed by measuring ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and various two-dimensional NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY). The analysis revealed the presence of Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol acetate (Δ⁸-THC-O), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol acetate (Δ⁹-THC-O), Δ⁴⁽⁸⁾–iso-THC-O-acetate, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabihexol acetate (Δ⁹-THCH-O), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabiphorol acetate (Δ⁹-THCP-O), Δ⁸-THC-O-propionate, Δ⁹-THC-O-propionate, Δ⁴⁽⁸⁾–iso-THC-O-propionate, Δ⁹-THCB-O-butanoate, and Δ⁹-THCP-O-butanoate in these products.