Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

J Regul Sci 2016;4(3):1-6

Consistency of label claims of internet-purchased hemp oil and cannabis products as determined using IMS and LC-MS: a marketplace survey.

Ruth AC, Gryniewicz-Ruzicka CM, Trehy ML, Kornspan N, Coody G

In this paper we describe the use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to screen for the presence of cannabinoids and other potential hazards in a set of products with hemp oil and/or cannabinoid label claims purchased via the internet. IMS was used as a preliminary screening tool to examine the products for the presence of cannabinoids, illicit drugs or undeclared pharmaceuticals. Detection of a cannabinoid by IMS was confirmed by subsequent LC-HRMS analysis, which qualitatively screened for the presence of nine common cannabinoids and quantified the following four cannabinoids: cannabidiol(CBD), (-)-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9- THC), delta9-tetrahydocannabinolic acid (THCA), and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). No other illicit drug or undeclared pharmaceutical was detected in any sample from IMS screening. Eighteen of 23 samples tested positive for the presence of at least one cannabinoid by LC-HRMS, with three products containing less than 0.01%(w/w) of a cannabinoid. Four products with explicit CBD label claims were found to not contain any CBD, while three products featured levels of cannabinoids below label claim.