Marihuana Components: Effects of Smoking on $\Delta ^{9}$-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol

Cigarettes impregnated with various preparations of $\Delta ^{9}$-tetrahydrocannabinol ($\Delta ^{9}$-THC) and cannabidiol were artificially smoked, and the smoke was analyzed by means of gas chromatography and a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Retention of the two test subs...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1971-06, Vol.172 (3988), p.1158-1159
Main Authors: Mikeš, František, Waser, Peter G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cigarette smoking
Cigarettes
Ethers
Gas chromatography
Mass spectroscopy
Resins
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Cigarettes impregnated with various preparations of $\Delta ^{9}$-tetrahydrocannabinol ($\Delta ^{9}$-THC) and cannabidiol were artificially smoked, and the smoke was analyzed by means of gas chromatography and a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Retention of the two test substances in smoke was 21 to 23 percent of the starting amount. The ratio of $\Delta ^{9}$-THC to cannabidiol in smoke is different from that in starting material. It is suggested that these differences are the result of partial cyclization of the cannabidiol to $\Delta ^{9}$-THC. An increase in the percentage of cannabinol in smoke is the result of a partial dehydrogenation of $\Delta ^{9}$-THC or cannabidiol. No evidence for the isomerization of $\Delta ^{9}$-THC to $\Delta ^{8}$-THC or for the formation of new pyrolyzed products was found.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.172.3988.1158