Synthetic cannabinoids gained popularity among illicit drug users beginning in 2004 and have continued to be prevalent ever since. These compounds bear a structural similarity to tetra-hydrocannabinol (Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC) that typically allows for high affinity binding to human cannabinoid receptors. The drugs’ status of “legal high” allows them to be nearly unregulated by DEA scheduling laws, due to the rapid synthesis of new chemical analogues. To aid in legislative processes, the rapid identification by forensic laboratories is essential. GC-MS is a relatively inexpensive technique used by forensic chemists to both identify and quantitate. Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC and two common synthetic cannabinoids, AB-FUBINACA and AB-CHIMINACA were used as standards to generate accurate GC-MS spectra. Using the selective ion monitoring (SIM) technique, protocols to quantitate the amount of substance present were developed. These protocols will then be used to determine the amount of drug in common biological matrices like blood and urine.

Identification and quantitation of synthetic cannabinoids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

255th National Meeting (2018)

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