WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. Critical Review
Cannabis and cannabis resin

© World Health Organization 2018

 

Cannabis and cannabis resin
Section 1: Chemistry

1. Substance identification ………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
1.1 International Nonproprietary Name (INN) …………………………………………………………………………………. 4
1.2 Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number ……………………………………………………………………….. 4
1.3 Other chemical names ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
1.4 Trade names …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
Cannabis 1.4.1 plant …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
1.4.2 Cannabis resin …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
1.5 Street names …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
1.5.1 Cannabis plant …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
1.5.2 Cannabis resin …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
1.6 Physical appearance ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
1.6.1 Cannabis plant …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
1.6.2 Cannabis resin …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
1.7 WHO review history ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
2. Chemistry ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.1 Name …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.2 Chemical name ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.2.1 IUPAC name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
2.2.2 CA index name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.3 Chemical structure …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
2.3.1 Free base: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.3.2 Molecular formula: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
2.3.3 Molecular weight:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.4 Stereoisomers ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.5 Taxonomy …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.5.1 Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
2.5.2 Cannabis sativa subsp. indica (Lam.) …………………………………………………………………………………… 9
2.6 Cultivation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
2.7 Phytocannabinoids………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
2.8 Δ9-THC distribution in cannabis plant ………………………………………………………………………………………13
2.9 Breeding ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
2.10 Methods and ease of illicit manufacturing …………………………………………………………………………….14
2.10.1 Sinsemilla ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
2.10.2 Cloning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
2.10.3 Feminized seeds ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15
2.10.4 Indoor cultivation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………15
2.10.5 Processing………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15
2.10.6 Manicured cannabis ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
2.10.7 Cannabis resin ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
2.10.8 Cannabis resin from Mediterranean countries …………………………………………………………………….16
2.10.9 Cannabis resin from south and south-west Asia …………………………………………………………………..17
2.10.10 Cannabis resin from “pollinators” and “ice-o-lators” ……………………………………………………………17
2.11 Chemical properties …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
2.11.1 Melting point ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
2.11.2 Boiling point …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
Section 1: Chemistry
3
2.11.3 Solubility ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..17
2.12 Identification and analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
2.12.1 Cannabis plant ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
2.12.2 Cannabis resin ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..20
3. Ease of convertibility into controlled substances ……………………………………………….. 22
4. References ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23

1.4.1 Cannabis plant
The dried cannabis inflorescence (the complete flower head) is one of the most commonly encountered formulations for administration of cannabinoids. Cannabis can be grown and marketed for either medicinal or recreational purposes. Medical cannabis is produced in several countries. For example, Aurora Cannabis Inc. is one of 26 authorized producers in Canada that also exports its products abroad.

In the Netherlands, medicinal cannabis is grown and marketed by Bedrocan B.V. under contract to the Dutch Ministry of Health and made available as the herbal inflorescence in Dutch pharmacies on prescription. Bedrocan B.V. grows six varieties according to a controlled regimen and with a standardized level of three cannabinoids: ()-trans-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). The Ministry also exports cannabis for medicinal use to Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany and Italy, and to authorized researchers around the world. The Italian Stabilimento Chimico Farmaceutico Militare developed the variety FM2, dispensed for medicinal purposes in the national territory.

The flowering tops or buds of a wide range of varieties are also available through dispensaries and medicinal programmes in the United States of America and elsewhere and are sold under popular names such as “skunk”, “kush”, “diesel”, and “haze”. In contrast to medicinal cannabis, the chemical content, the pharmacological and organoleptic effects of these products are not often readily discernible from the label and, in some instances, even through rigorous quantitative analysis of cannabinoids, can be unpredictable. Recently, a series of recreational varieties of cannabis with low Δ9-THC content (<0.2% in Europe and <1% in Switzerland), called “cannabis light”, have come on to the popular market and are sold as a smoking product (e.g. Artur, CannLab, Hempy, etc.).

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