Analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in seized material

Herbal incense mixtures, of which “n-Joy” is perhaps one of the best known examples, have been available globally for the past two or three years. Although declared as incense and not for human consumption, herbal-type products are smoked as an apparently legal alternative to Cannabis to deliver the so-called “herbal high”. Several synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (cannabinomimetic) compounds have been identified in herbal-type products to date. The detected substances include the JWH series, developed as test leads in the investigation of drug-receptor interactions. A few of these compounds have been designated as controlled drugs in some countries. It is apparent, however, that as one set of compounds is claimed illegal, more variants that fall outside the current legislation take their place. Thus, there is an urgent need for comprehensive methods suitable for the analysis of synthetic cannabinoids, particularly in the fields of clinical and forensic toxicology. The present study deals with the analysis of illicit materials seized by police forces, in order to verify the presence of synthetic cannabinoids belonging to the JWH series, by structure identification strategies. A suspect sample of a herbal mix, named “WWW Aromatic Potpourri”, was preliminary analysed by Scientific Police of Bologna and a synthetic cannabinoid of the JWH family was identified by means of GC-MS techniques. Moreover, a MS/MS method optimised on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was implemented for the determination of the identified compound and possibly of other illicit substances. Mass spectrum data have been acquired in order to investigate the structural hypothesis and to provide m/z transitions, required for the development of an advanced LC-MS/MS analytical system, able to carry out also a quantitative study.