Characterising a new cannabis trend : extensive analysis of semi-synthetic cannabinoid-containing seizures from Germany

Abstract

In May 2022, semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSC) appeared on the European drug market, claiming to offer a legal alternative with cannabimimetic effects. Since then, the use of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) has quickly become very popular and derivatives, among them heptyl-analogs with prolonged alkyl-sidechains and acetylated forms, have appeared. First HHC-bans were introduced in some EU countries in early 2023. As only limited data is available on this dynamic consumption trend, this study aims to analyse a seizure collective comprehensively.

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was validated for quantification of (R,S)-HHC, Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, (R,S)-HHC-O and CBN-O and applied to a collective of 80 SSC-containing products including flowers, resins, edibles, vape liquids and papers. Further derivatives, among them (R,S)-HHCP, Δ9-THCP, Δ8-THCP, (R,S)-HHCP-O, (R,S)-H4CBD, THC-O and THCP-O were qualitatively evaluated.

HHC-content was characterised by extreme fluctuations from <LOQ up to 70.9 wt-%. Δ9-THC was detected in most seizures, with around a quarter of samples exceeding the EU-legal limit for hemp (< 0.3 wt-% Δ9-THC). Δ8-THC was rarely found in elevated levels which might indicate residues of HHC-synthesis. H4CBD was the most frequently detected SSC-derivative, followed by heptyl-analogs. Acetates played a minor role and were usually only detected in traces, while elevated levels occurred rarely. Unusual cannabinoid compositions were detected in cannabis carrier material, including extreme CBD-concentrations (up to 67.3 wt-%) and CBG-dominant cultivars.

Systematic investigation of seizures provides information for assessing the risk to consumers and is a valuable basis for the interpretation of findings in biological material.