Determination of Δ9-THC, CBD, and CBN concentrations with the LC-MS/MS method in hemp seeds and hemp seed oils commercially available in Turkey

The subject of our study is to determine the concentrations of Δ9-THC, CBD, CBN and THCA in cannabis seeds and seed oils produced/consumed in our country by taking random samples of hemp seeds and seed oils that can be easily obtained over the internet or from businesses that sell herbal products in our country and are popularly referred to as "Aktar" or "Lokman Hekim". In our study, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was preferred as the instrumental analysis method and separate but very simple separation procedures were established for hemp seeds and hemp seed oils using simple chemicals such as methanol and acetonitrile. As a result of our study, an original scientific analysis method for the detection of Δ9-THC, CBD, CBN and THCA cannabinoids in cannabis seeds and galenic aromatic oils by LC-MS/MS has been developed and validated. The LOD and LOQ ranges of our study are 0.10-8.75 ng/mg and 0.30-26.53 ng/mg, respectively, for seed analysis; and for oil analysis 2.40-16.55 ng/ml and 7.27-50.14 ng/ml, respectively. The average cannabinoid amounts in the real seed samples we obtained were 55.42 ng/g for Δ9-THC, 965.15 ng/g for CBD, and 36.50 ng/g for CBN; while the average cannabinoid amounts in the real oil samples were 5.71 µg/ml for Δ9-THC, 9.62 µg/ml for CBD, 479.57 ng/ml for CBN and 3.55 µg/ml for THCA. THCA levels in all seed samples were below the LOD value. For the first time in our country, cannabinoid contents were determined by analyzing seeds and oils available from the free market. Our results show that out of the 10 different seed and 20 different seed oil samples included in the study, all samples, except for one seed sample, have the potential to gain the status of "illegal substance" in a possible forensic investigation in terms of Δ9-THC content due to the "zero tolerance" approach applied in the legislation of our country. As a result; hemp seeds and products obtained using these seeds need to be subjected to stricter controls in terms of reducing the amount of Δ9-THC they contain. In addition, in order for citizens not to be in a difficult situation due to actions such as using, possessing or buying-selling these products, it is recommended that the zero tolerance approach in our legislation be reviewed in terms of hemp seed and seed oil and, if necessary, replaced with an appropriate threshold value, including global practices and chemical, toxicological and sociological studies be evaluated together.