Gas Chromatography: Method Development and Validation for Identification and Quantification of delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Calibration Approach

Cannabinoids like cannabidiol, cannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and several others are present in Cannabis drug. Under the NDPS Act of 1985, the cultivation, possession, use, transportation and trade of cannabis is crime. It is crucial forensic laboratory practice to identify and quantify Δ9-THC for prosecuting and reward purposes. In current study, a routine method for detecting Δ9-THC in cannabis based on fast gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector (fast GC-FID) was developed and validated. The method has analysis time of 7.0 min and outstanding linearity (r2 > 0.999), with good repeatability (intraday < 2.55%; interday < 4.5%) and sensitivity (LOD = 1.86 ppm LOQ = 6.214). The fast GC-FID method suitability for detection and quantitation of Δ9-THC in cannabis, was tested successfully. Therefore, the developed Fast GC-FID method could be a valid alternative for a fast, robust and sensitive determination of Δ9-THC present in seized cannabis.