From the Research
LC/MS testing for marijuana can detect both delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC, with the most recent and highest quality study indicating that modern LC/MS methods can identify delta-8 THC as well as delta-9 THC 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is a highly sensitive analytical method that can distinguish between different cannabinoids based on their molecular structure and mass.
- While standard drug panels might be calibrated primarily for delta-9 THC and its metabolites, the study published in 2023 1 demonstrates the ability of LC/MS to detect delta-8 THC.
- The distinction between delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC is important because they are chemically similar, differing only in the position of one double bond in the molecular structure.
- Both compounds produce similar metabolites in the body, particularly 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH), which is what most drug tests actually detect.
Implications for Testing
- Consuming delta-8 THC can indeed result in a positive drug test for cannabis, as the sophisticated LC/MS technology used in confirmatory testing can identify both variants.
- The study published in 2024 2 also supports the idea that LC/MS can be used to simultaneously analyze phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in plasma and brain, further highlighting the sensitivity and specificity of this method.
Conclusion Not Applicable
Instead, the focus is on the key points and implications for testing, as supported by the most recent and highest quality studies 1, 2.