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In the last 2 years, the number of shops selling CBD-rich THC-deprived cannabis flowers (CrTd) has increased considerably in France as in many European countries. The objective of this study was to determine the actual composition of the samples sold in these stores and to discuss regulatory consequences that may affect users. Samples were provided from shops in the region Provence-Alpes Cote d'Azur (PACA), France. Pictures of the samples were taken before they were weighed then crushed. Twenty milligrams were diluted in 10 ml heptane ethyl acetate (7:1; v:v) for analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method was validated according to SWGTOX guidelines for the quantification of cannabidiol (CBD), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN). Thirty-nine samples obtained between November 2021 and January 2022 in the PACA region were analyzed in this study. Mean content was 0.32% (0.03%-0.77%; STDV = 0.17%; n = 39) for THC, 2.23% (0.01%-5.97%; STDV = 1.29%; n = 39) for CBD and 0.01% (0.004%-0.025%; STDV = 0.01%; n = 19) for CBN. THC content over the threshold defined by the European legislation (>0.3%) was found in 18 of the 39 samples analyzed together with a CBD content <1% in nine samples (23%). None of the products analyzed had health risk messages on the packaging. The consumption of these products may lead to the presence of THC in biological fluids, which can be detected by screening. Users may then find themselves in breach of the law particularly when driving. Consumers should therefore be informed both about the actual composition of these products and about the legal and health risks they run., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) belongs to the Cannabaceae family. It is very rich in chemical constituents, especially the cannabinoids which has not been reported in any other plant, and has broad pharmacological properties. Hemp as a multi-purpose crop is a good source of fibers, seed, fixed and volatile oil. It is known that the cannabinoid content of hemp is related to genetic factors, as well as plant's growth stages and environmental factors such as latitude, altitude, weather, particularly moisture availability and nutrient supply during the growing season. The present study was designed to produce hemp that contains allowable concentration of THC (<3 %) by comparing different varieties of hemp, different stages of plant growth, and different geographical locations where it was planted. To achieve this, seeds of two native populations from Iran (Fars and Yazd Provinces) and one foreign variety from France (Fedora17, as an industrial hemp cultivar) with its progenies (Fedora17-2) were cultivated in 3 research fields (Gilan, Golestan and Alborz provinces) in Iran. The following plant materials were extracted with methanol/chloroform and analyzed by HPLC: foliage in the vegetative stage, inflorescent in the flowering stage, inflorescent of seeds in the seeding stage and the mature seed. The THC concentration of Fedora17 (Fed17) in all three geographical locations was found to be under 0.03 % or even non-detectable. Same result was also observed in its progenies (Fed17-2), indicating stability of the trait in this cultivar. The THC concentration of the Yazd variety that was planted in Alborz and Gilan regions was less than 0.080 % in all growth stages. The female flowers planted in Golestan, showed a THC concentration of 1.029 % which was more than the allowed THC concentration of <3 %. The THC concentration in all growth stages of all of the different varieties planted varied from 0 to 1.392 %. The above results indicates that the type of cannabinoid produced depends on the difference in genetic prosperities of the different seed types as well as the growth stage in which the plant material was extracted. On the other hand, the climate and the region in which the seeds were planted had little influence on the THC concentration., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Smokable herbal mixtures under the brand name Spice were first sold on the Internet and in various specialised shops in 2006 or earlier. When smoked, the Spice products have effects similar to those of cannabis. Forensic investigations were undertaken by German and Austrian authorities in order to identify the psychoactive ingredients of Spice. A new psychoactive substance JWH-018 has been identified in Spice products. JWH-018 was first synthesized in 1995 and produces effects similar to those THC. Subsequently, the synthetic cannabinoid CP 47,497 was also identified. Outside of Europe, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration reported that another potent synthetic cannabinoid, HU-210, had been found. Since 2009, other synthetic cannabinoids were identified in Europe. None of the above-mentioned synthetic cannabinoids is internationally controlled as a drug and there is no information on any of them having been authorised as a medicinal product in the European Union. There are no officially published safety data and little is known about their effects in humans. Some of the characteristics of these compounds, e.g. volatility and activity in small doses, are likely to present further analytical and toxicological challenges. Responding to potential health concerns, Europe has taken legal actions to ban or otherwise control Spice products and related compounds.

In France, workplace testing of drugs of abuse and psychotropic drugs is rarely performed; meanwhile it is a major public health problem. Furthermore, France is the European country that has been associated with the highest increase of the use of drugs of abuse, particularly cannabis. So workplace biological screening of drugs of abuse and of psychotropic drugs exposure is of major concern. New analytical techniques have been developed during the last years. The authors will consider analytical screening of drugs of abuse and particularly the comparison of analytical techniques applied to urine and saliva. The advantages and the disadvantages of these two matrices will be considered. Urinary and blood quantification will be reviewed, but also the interest of hair testing to explore chronic exposure. The research of psychotropic drugs in biological fluids is also a part of this paper. New analytical trends are promising and complete analysis of these substances will be soon routinely possible in blood using a single spot test., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is little information available about the real content of cannabis consumed in France., Objective: To assess the chemical content, including adulterants and contaminants, and potency of cannabis samples obtained from end-users., Methods: Samples of resins considered by users to produce "unusual" effects were collected from habitual consumers and chemically analyzed., Results: Thirty-seven samples were obtained. Average THC content was 8.8%. The effects reported by users were consistent with the THC content. Apart from an unidentified fatty substance found in two samples, no adulteration was found., Discussion: This study, which relied on volunteers, enabled us to collect samples considered abnormal by experienced users. It did not confirm the numerous anecdotes of adulteration., Conclusion: We suggest that this study should be widened to monitor the current chemical contents of cannabis derivatives available in France. The impact of providing users with the results remains to be evaluated.

Cannabinoid content of a population of Cannabis sativa L. originating from Mexico and cultivated in France is studied. The statistical analysis of results shows how difficult it is to obtain homogenous and representative samples. This problem is correlated to genetic heterogeneity of seeds.