Introduction:

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are substances that mimic the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). SCs do not cause a positive drug test for marijuana or other illegal drugs, since they are not detectable in standard drug tests. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the most commonly used techniques for analysis of synthetic cannabinoids. We present a method for the detection and quantitation of several urinary synthetic cannabinoids metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS).

Objectives:

Identification of SC in suspicious solid samples by GC.MS, and optimization and implementation of an analytical method for the detection of SC in urine, using HPLC tandem with HRMS.

Material and methods:

Analysis of solid samples: A total of eight samples received were analyzed for identification and confirmation. Urine analysis: We analyzed a total of 30 urine samples with possible suspicion of having used synthetic cannabis.

Results:

In the present project, synthetic cannabinoids were identified 8 in 8 herbal incense products by employing GC-MS and 2 were determined in 30 urine samples by HPLC.

Conclusions:

Like all other drugs of abuse, the confirmation analysis is based on GC-MS. We have optimized and implemented an analytical method for the detection of SCs in urine, using a HPLC tandem with HRMS as an analytical technique. The analytical method is believed to have been satisfactorily developed which is proved by the data gathered from the studies carried out proving thus its adequacy to the previewed use. Further research might include the analysis of the CBS in biological liquids (hair, saliva) which presents added advantages such as the reduction of the procedure time, its less invasive character and greater precision.