PAPER CRIMINALISTICS

Evolution of the Content of THC and Other Major Cannabinoids in Drug-Type Cannabis Cuttings and Seedlings During Growth of Plants†

  1. Benjamin De Backer M.Sc.1,
  2. Kevin Maebe M.Sc.2,
  3. Alain G. Verstraete M.D., Ph.D.2,
  4. Corinne Charlier Ph.D.1

Article first published online: 5 MAR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02068.x

Issue

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Volume 57, Issue 4, pages 918–922, July 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

De Backer, B., Maebe, K., Verstraete, A. G. and Charlier, C. (2012), Evolution of the Content of THC and Other Major Cannabinoids in Drug-Type Cannabis Cuttings and Seedlings During Growth of Plants. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57: 918–922. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02068.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Laboratory of Clinical, Forensic, Environmental and Industrial Toxicology, CIRM, CHU Sart-Tilman, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.

  2. 2

    Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.

*Additional information and reprint requests: Benjamin De Backer, M.Sc. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sart-Tilman B 35 B 4000 Liège Belgium E-mail: bdebacker@chu.ulg.ac.be

  1. †

    Financial support provided by the Belgian Science Policy (Belspo), GEOCAN Project DR-00-48.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 JUL 2012
  2. Article first published online: 5 MAR 2012
  3. Received 22 Dec. 2010; and in revised form 22 April 2011; accepted 30 April 2011.

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Keywords:

  • forensic science;
  • forensic toxicology;
  • cannabis;
  • plant analysis;
  • chemotype;
  • tetrahydrocannabinol;
  • high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection

Abstract:  In Europe, authorities frequently ask forensic laboratories to analyze seized cannabis plants to prove that cultivation was illegal (drug type and not fiber type). This is generally done with mature and flowering plants. However, authorities are often confronted with very young specimens. The aim of our study was to evaluate when the chemotype of cannabis plantlets can be surely determined through analysis of eight major cannabinoids content during growth. Drug-type seedlings and cuttings were cultivated, sampled each week, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The chemotype of clones was recognizable at any developmental stage because of high total Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations even at the start of the cultivation. Conversely, right after germination seedlings contained a low total THC content, but it increased quickly with plant age up, allowing chemotype determination after 3 weeks. In conclusion, it is not necessary to wait for plants’ flowering to identify drug-type cannabis generally cultivated in Europe.

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