Chem. Pharm. Bull., 48(5),743-745, May 2000

Notes

D⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol Content in Cannabis Plants of Greek Origin

Maria STEFANIDOU,^* Sotiris ATHANASELIS, Giorgos ALEVISOPOULOS, John PAPOUTSIS, and Antonis KOUTSELINIS

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, Medical School, 75, Mikras Asias str., Goudi, Athens 115.27, Greece.

The D⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (D⁹-THC) content was identified and determined quantitatively using a Gas Chromatography Detector (Gas Chromatography -Electron Ion Detector) instrument in samples of illicit herbal cannabis. Law enforcement authorities sent the samples to the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Athens, for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of D⁹-THC in these samples ranged from 0.08% to 4.41%. Such concentrations suggest that Greece might be at high risk, as an area for the illicit cultivation of "pedigree" cannabis plants. The forensic aspects of cannabis classification are discussed.

Key words cannabis, D⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, Gas Chromatography Detector, forensic analysis, Greece