Barkholtz Research Group
Cannabis and its byproducts are the most widely used psychoactive substances worldwide. Since the 2018 United States Farm Bill defined standards for industrial hemp, many states have acted to legalize or decriminalize cannabis, further increasing the proportion of the population using it. Despite widespread illicit and licit use, many cannabinoids and their metabolites remain uncharacterized and their biological activity unknown. Even with over 100 cannabinoids identified from both natural and synthetic origins, their presence in biological samples connected to drug-involved crimes has yet to be fully scoped. Furthermore, correlation between cannabinoid blood concentration and impairment is lacking due to complex pharmacokinetics and metabolism as well as inter- and intra-individual variability in biodisposition and effects upon consumption. As forensic toxicologists work to quantify cannabinoids present in biological samples provided by law enforcement officials and make meaningful statements about their findings, the field of cannabis continues to evolve. For example, growers and consumers are looking beyond Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) for a more diverse array of perceived effects. As alternative cannabinoid compounds emerge, their physiochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties must be fully understood. Forensic toxicologists need more information on cannabis active ingredients, biodisposition, and interaction with receptors to make informed decisions regarding biological sample results and subsequent impairment.