Search

• In the United States, hemp and marijuana are both Cannabis sativa, differentiated only by whether the plant on dry weight basis is above or below 0.3% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). • Pod-based vaping products were devised for discreet vaping and originated in the cannabis industry. • Cannabis vaping is correlated with younger age, higher education, and higher income. • Thorough and transparent labelling of chemicals present in cannabis vaping products is not widespread industry practice. • A federally unregulated cannabis industry and variable state-to-state regulations has enabled low quality products to enter the marketplace which can lead to adverse events and consumer confusion. • Unified and enforced state regulations or federal regulations supported by quality testing and robust research are needed for consumer confidence and safety in cannabis vaping products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), a commonly used industrial solvent, is used recreationally as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant and, therefore, is a United States Drug Enforcement Agency List 1 chemical of the Controlled Substances Act. GBL was identified presumptively in the liquid from JUUL Virginia Tobacco flavored pods during routine untargeted screening analysis of e-cigarette products by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Methods for the analysis of GBL were developed for GC–MS and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) in the liquids and the aerosol generated from the liquid. Three flavors of JUUL pods available at the time of analysis were obtained by direct purchase from the manufacturer, purchase from a local vape shop and submission from a third party. The only liquid flavor to contain GBL was Virginia Tobacco, with an average of 0.37 mg/mL of GBL, and it was detected in the aerosol. Studies evaluating the pharmacological effects of inhaling GBL do not exist; however, a case report of chronic oral GBL ingestion indicates acute lung injury. The identification of GBL in an e-cigarette product purportedly compliant with federal regulation continues to demonstrate public health and public safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioid usage in the USA has increased over the past decade, with prescriptions increasing from 76 million in 1991 to 207 million in 2013. New regulations have curbed the number of prescriptions, leading to an increase in heroin use. Heroin-related overdoses have quadrupled between 2000 and 2015. The traditional urinary biomarkers for indicating heroin use are a combination of morphine and 6-acetyl morphine (6-AM). Morphine is detectable in urine for several days. 6-AM is detected in urine for 2–8 hours. Papaverine has been proposed as an alternative heroin biomarker. It has been reported to have a 1–2 day detection window. Papaverine metabolites have been reported to have up to a 3-day detection window. Presented is a method for the detection of papaverine and its metabolites, 6-desmethyl papaverine (6-DMP) and 4′, 6-didesmethyl papaverine (4,6-DDMP), in urine using a modified Waters® MCX™ microelution method. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS-MS), with a Waters' BEH C18 column, and 20 mM ammonium formate water: 20 mM ammonium formate methanol mobile phase was employed. Calibration curves were linear from 0.1 to 50 ng/mL. No interferences were observed from the analysis of multicomponent therapeutic drug or drugs of abuse control materials; intra- and inter-run precision tests were acceptable. A total of 428 genuine urine specimens where heroin use was suspected were analyzed. These included 101 6-AM and 179 morphine only positive samples as well as 6 morphine-negative samples where papaverine and/or metabolites were detected. The determined concentrations in these samples for papaverine, 6-DMP and 4,6-DDMP ranged from 0.10 to 994, 0.10 to 462 and 0.12 to 218 ng/mL, respectively. The method was rugged and robust for the analysis of papaverine and metabolites, 6-DMP and 4,6-DDMP. The use papaverine and metabolites, 6-DMP and 4,6-DDMP has the potential to increase the detection window of heroin use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case history and toxicological findings of a multi-drug overdose involving the central nervous system depressant metaxalone by researchers from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Use of gas-liquid chromatography with flame-ionization to detect drug concentrations; Determination on the concentrations of metaxalone in the blood; Assertion from the researchers regarding deaths where metaxalone was associated.

Evaluates the triage dextropropoxyphene (PPY) on-site testing device for the detection of dextropropoxyphene in urine by researchers from the U.S. Development of a new point-of-care colloidal metal immunoassay urine drugs-of-abuse testing device; Assessment for the rapid detection of PPY and/or its primary metabolite norpropoxyphene; Accuracy of the device for the detection of PPY and NP in urine specimens.