The 2018 Farm Bill separated Cannabis production in the United States into two categories: marijuana and hemp. Clandestine marijuana is defined by a concentration of more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hemp is any percentage lower than that THC permitter. Cannabinoids are only identifiable at a molecular level which has become an issue for different agencies as the current presumptive forensic test kits can only test the presence of Cannabis. Officers might have probable cause to search, but they ultimately must send any suspect clandestine material to the state Bureau Investigative testing which inevitably backs up these labs. In addition to law enforcement, Cannabis farmers send a sample of their plant material to the state Department of Agriculture to determine the percentage of cannabinoids before allowed to harvest the crop. Developing a new presumptive test kit that can differentiate marijuana and hemp on a molecular level is pertinent to solving this issue for both law enforcement and farmers. Using a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) test kit, the plant material extraction matrix is separated, and the individual cannabinoids are visible to the user. A polyester backed TLC plate, a moderately polar mobile phase and extraction fluid, and a commercial water-soluble stain allows the kit to be used in various rugged environments. Time and temperature studies were conducted to simulate real-life conditions. The TLC method used successfully differentiated the cannabinoids in seven lots of marijuana and fifteen lots of hemp by staining CBD as an orange color and THC as a red. The kit being rapid, cost efficient, and simple to operate creates an opportunity for any person to use it. The low cost is advantageous for rural law enforcement and farmers and furthers Tennessee Tech’s Grand Challenge focusing on the development of rural areas.

Presumptive thin-layer chromatography kit to differentiate cannabinoids in Cannabis plant material

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.