Navigating the LC-MS/MS Analysis of ∆8-THC, ∆9-THC, and Metabolites in Whole Blood and Urine
The testing of blood and urine to determine exposure to cannabis has been routine for decades. Most laboratories will include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the main psychoactive component in cannabis, as well as its two metabolites, 11-Hydroxy-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-Δ9-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC-COOH) in their testing scopes. As more isomers of Δ9-THC become available on the market, testing becomes more complicated, and novel methods are needed to achieve isomeric resolution. One such isomer, Δ8-THC, emerged on the market after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill that appeared to remove the isomer from the federal list of controlled substances. Δ8-THC forms its own hydroxy and carboxy metabolites, which are also isomers of 11-OH-Δ9-THC and Δ9-THC-COOH.
In this webinar, we will examine the classic challenges associated with cannabinoid analysis in biological matrices, as well as how the emergence of isomers like Δ8-THC creates further complications. The development of an LC-MS/MS method to separate Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, and their hydroxy and carboxy metabolites in whole blood and urine will be discussed. We will cover special considerations that must be made for both matrices, such as cross-analyte interferences in whole blood and extreme isomer ratios in urine.
By attending this upcoming webinar, you will:
- Learn about the difficulties involved in the toxicological analysis of cannabinoids, with a focus on how the presence of isomers like Δ8-THC creates analytical complications.
- Discover solutions to several of these challenges, including complete workflows for the analysis of Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, and metabolites in both whole blood and urine.
Who Should Attend?
- Lab directors, scientists, and analysts interested in the toxicological analysis of cannabinoids in biological fluids.
Presenter: Haley Berkland, MS (LC Applications Scientist, Restek Corporation)
Haley is an LC applications scientist at Restek. She attended Duquesne University, receiving her bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a master's degree in forensic science and law. As a graduate student, she performed research on the detection of drugs of abuse in vitreous humor by LC-MS/MS. Before joining Restek in 2023, Haley spent four years working as a forensic toxicologist. While in this role, she performed analysis of postmortem toxicology casework, identification of seized drug evidence, and development/validation of new assays by LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, and GC-FID.
