Between 2022 and 2024, 1186 cannabis-type samples seized in Poland were analyzed. Semisynthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) were found in 9.5%, mostly in plant material and resin. HHC was the most common. After 2023 legislation, the number of SSC identifications declined, but noncontrolled compound diversity increased. SSC analysis requires complementary analytical techniques.
ABSTRACT
Semisynthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) are a novel group of psychoactive substances obtained by chemical modification of phytocannabinoids such as Δ9-THC and CBD. Since 2022, their prevalence has rapidly increased on the European illicit drug market, including Poland, where they are mainly detected in cannabis-derived products (plant material, resinous products, e-liquids, and edibles). In this study, 1186 cannabis-type samples seized in Poland (2022–2024) were analyzed at the IFR using GC-MS, UHPLC-PDA, and LC-QTOF/MS. SSCs were found in 113 samples (9.5%), mostly in plant material and resinous products. The predominant compound was hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), consistently detected as a mixture of two epimers, with (9R)-HHC prevailing (typical (9R):(9S) ratio 2.0–2.8:1). In most cases, SSCs were applied to plant material with low Δ9-THC content, mainly Chemotypes II and III (approximately 60% of all cases), indicating intentional enrichment of material with limited psychoactive potential. Following legislative changes introduced in Poland in 2023, identifications of controlled SSCs decreased; however, the diversity of noncontrolled compounds increased. Co-occurrence of multiple SSCs, their structural similarity, stereoisomerism, and limited availability or delays in obtaining certified reference standards may complicate routine analysis. Each analytical technique presents specific limitations: GC-MS can cause degradation of acetate forms of SSCs; UHPLC-PDA faces challenges in differentiating compounds with similar UV spectra, whereas LC-QTOF/MS cannot fully distinguish structural or stereoisomeric forms. This study highlights the dynamic nature of the SSC market and the importance of advanced, multimethod analytical approaches for reliable identification.
