MARIHUANA METABOLITES IN URINE OF MAN .7. EXCRETION PATTERNS OF ACIDIC METABOLITES DETECTED BY SEQUENTIAL THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

The 11-oic acid metabolites of .DELTA.-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) were identified presumptively in human urine using standard TLC. Other acidic metabolites were also excreted but these were not identified. These acidic metabolites appeared in urine soon after exposure but persisted for at least 48-72 h. Such long persistence does not permit their detection to be used for forensic purposes. Using only simple chemical methods, presumptive identification of the 11-oic acids of THC, CBN and CBD in the urine of persons taking these materials was accomplished. A sequential TLC system provided the basis for this 1st report of such isolation without the use of labeled drug or mass spectrometric methods.