Cannabinoid content in inflorescences and in based on cannabis home-made products used for therapeutic purposes in Argentina

Abstract

SummaryIntroduction A recent law (DCTO-2020-883-APN-PTE - Law No. 27,350. Regulation) passed in Argentina put an end to the ban imposed for the last 60 years on cannabis cultivation within the country. The law permits restricted access to cannabis derivatives for medicinal, therapeutic and palliative use by individuals and communities, allowing self- and community-based cannabis production. This is cause for concern in view of the lack of quality controls for cannabis derivatives. The several varieties of cannabis grown in Argentina have different chemical profiles and are processed in a variety of ways ―mostly by alcohol extraction or maceration at different temperatures and for different amounts of times― making the cannabinoid content of these preparations highly variable. Determining the characteristics of home- and community-grown cannabis products will facilitate the implementation of public policies conducive to their safety and improvement. Objective. The aim of the present study was to determine the cannabinoid chemotypes used for therapeutic purposes in Argentina and evaluate whether the cannabinoids present in home-made derivatives are comparable to those in commercially available products.Methods HPLC/UV-DAD analysis of 436 samples (oils, resins and inflorescences) was carried out to determine the identity and concentration of five cannabinoids: THCA, THC, CBDA, CBD and CBN. From three different sources, the samples represent the type of medical cannabis preparations to which patients have access.Results The results indicate that the medium-to-low cannabinoid concentration in a significant number of home-made oil samples is similar to that found in commercial products. Most of the samples have a THC/CBD ratio ˃ 1 or only contain THC. Acidic cannabinoids were detected in home-made preparations but were not reported in package inserts of commercial products.Conclusions Our results indicate that despite their considerable variability, home-made preparations as a whole show cannabinoid levels and profiles equivalent to the commercially available products commonly used for medicinal, therapeutic and palliative purposes in Argentina.