“Cannabis” has been a controlled substance primarily due to the presence of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) which causes a variety of undesired central nervous system (CNS) effects, when consumed. Having said that, over the past 2 decades a handful of cannabis-derived medicines such as Sativex® and Epidiolex® are approved by US FDA and other regulatory bodies, respectively. In addition, hundreds of thousands of patients around the world consume medical cannabis in various forms for a variety of clinical conditions. Phytocannabinoids, cannabinoids produced by Cannabis plant, interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) as well as other receptor systems to exhibit their pharmacological effects. Interestingly, phytocannabinoids are produced as carboxylate derivatives in their natural form, such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). These are inactive molecules, but the corresponding decarboxylated forms (such as Δ9-THC and CBD) are potent ligands at cannabinoid receptors. These acids are converted into their corresponding decarboxylated forms when exposed to heat. For one to receive any pharmacological effects, all inactive phytocannabinoids are converted into in their active forms. In Canada, medical cannabis extracts have been popular as a substitute for medical cannabis, despite limited studies on these substances. We investigated commercial medical cannabis strains using different extraction methods viz. Soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted, supercritical fluid and microwave-assisted extractions for their efficiency, decarboxylation and characterized the chemical compositions of the extracts. This presentation will discuss the chemical aspects of medical cannabis extracts and implications for use by patients, as well as highlighting our observations from the clinic.

Medical cannabis products and Cannabinoids: Medicinal value through chemistry

2019 Spring National Meeting

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