Phase I and II Cannabinoid Disposition in Blood and Plasma of Occasional and Frequent Smokers Following Controlled Smoked Cannabis
- 1 April 2014
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Clinical Chemistry
- Vol. 60 (4), 631-643
- https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2013.216507
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH) have been reported in blood from frequent cannabis smokers for an extended time during abstinence. We compared THC, 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, cannabidiol, cannabinol, THC-glucuronide, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC-glucuronide (THCCOO-glucuronide) blood and plasma disposition in frequent and occasional cannabis smokers. METHODS: Frequent and occasional smokers resided on a closed research unit and smoked one 6.8% THC cannabis cigarette ad libitum. Blood and plasma cannabinoids were quantified on admission (approximately 19 h before), 1 h before, and up to 15 times (0.5–30 h) after smoking. RESULTS: Cannabinoid blood and plasma concentrations were significantly higher in frequent smokers compared with occasional smokers at most time points for THC and 11-OH-THC and at all time points for THCCOOH and THCCOO-glucuronide. Cannabidiol, cannabinol, and THC-glucuronide were not significantly different at any time point. Overall blood and plasma cannabinoid concentrations were significantly higher in frequent smokers for THC, 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, and THCCOO-glucuronide, with and without accounting for baseline concentrations. For blood THC >5 μg/L, median (range) time of last detection was 3.5 h (1.1–>30 h) in frequent smokers and 1.0 h (0–2.1 h) in 11 occasional smokers; 2 individuals had no samples with THC >5 μg/L. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis smoking history plays a major role in cannabinoid detection. These differences may impact clinical and impaired driving drug detection. The presence of cannabidiol, cannabinol, or THC-glucuronide indicates recent use, but their absence does not exclude it.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- NIH
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- In Vitro Stability of Free and Glucuronidated Cannabinoids in Blood and Plasma Following Controlled Smoked CannabisClinical Chemistry, 2013
- Impact of Prolonged Cannabinoid Excretion in Chronic Daily Cannabis Smokers' Blood on Per Se Drugged Driving LawsClinical Chemistry, 2013
- The prevalence of drugs in injured driversForensic Science International, 2012
- Identification of Recent Cannabis Use: Whole-Blood and Plasma Free and Glucuronidated Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics following Controlled Smoked Cannabis AdministrationClinical Chemistry, 2011
- Direct quantification of cannabinoids and cannabinoid glucuronides in whole blood by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometryAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2011
- Characterization of Human Hepatic and Extrahepatic UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes Involved in the Metabolism of Classic CannabinoidsPublished by American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) ,2009
- Comparison of Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetic Properties in Occasional and Heavy Users Smoking a Marijuana or Placebo JointJournal of Analytical Toxicology, 2008
- Cannabinoid Concentrations in Spot Serum Samples 24-48 Hours After Discontinuation of Cannabis SmokingJournal of Analytical Toxicology, 2008
- Blood Cannabinoids. I. Absorption of THC and Formation of 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH During and After Smoking Marijuana*Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 1992
- Metabolism of Tetrahydrocannabinol in Frequent and Infrequent Marijuana UsersJournal of Analytical Toxicology, 1992