Analysis of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol

These datasets consist of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the detection and quantitation of cannabinoids was developed and validated in aqueous and oral fluid matrices.The behaviour of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol was further characterised in terms of the pre-analytical parameters and a significant difference was illustrated between the two matrices. The detection and quantification of cannabinoids within biological matrices are still required, despite the legalisation of cannabis use in South Africa. The development of a fit-for-purpose analytical method for the quantification of cannabinoids in biological matrices other than urine is paramount to accommodate the recent legalisation of cannabis use in South Africa.

The limit of quantitation of 2.0 ± 0.5 ng/mL (at 95% confidence level) for Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol in oral fluid was lower than the proposed threshold limit of 5 ng/mL instated in other countries. It was concluded that oral fluid has the potential to serve as an alternative matrix to urine when testing for cannabis use but the sampling uncertainty associated with the collection of authentic oral fluid samples has yet to be determined.It was concluded that the more convenient aqueous matrices cannot be used as a substitute for authentic oral fluid during method validations.