Cannabinoid
Cannabis is a complex plant that contains more than 144 different cannabinoids (Phyto-cannabinoids) including CBD (cannabidiol), CBDA (cannabidolic acid), CBN (cannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBDV (canabidivarin) and tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, THCA, THCV). THC and CBD are the most common cannabinoids, but others are becoming popular and found alone or in combination with CBD. The infamous THC is well known for its psychoactive effects, while many other cannabinoids are considered non-psychoactive with many possible health benefits. Cannabis varieties have been bred for specific aims, with marijuana focused on THC and low in CBD, while hemp is high in CBD with trace amounts of THC. Both marijuana and hemp varieties may contain other cannabinoids in various combinations, as can the resulting CBD products that have been derived from them.
Liquid Chromatography
iMed uses Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry to test for all the major cannabinoids (CDB, CBDA, CBG, CBGA, CBN, CBDV, THCV, THC and THCA-A). Liquid chromatography does not use heat, therefore, with this method it is possible to identify and quantify both acid and neutral cannabinoids. This is the most powerful method for determining the real content of cannabinoids present in a sample.
ISO 17025 Compliant
iMed Laboratories is fully ISO 17025 compliant within the forensic field, ensuring stringent control throughout the laboratory from sample receipt up to test result reporting.
Laboratory Information Management System
Our test activities are supported by a cloud-based Laboratory Information Management System purpose-built for cannabis testing helping with data management and automating workflows following regulatory compliance such ad ISO/IEC 17025: 2017, GLP, and GMP.
The medical use of cannabis in South Africa is regulated in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Medicines Act). With respect to cannabis, the Medicines Act distinguishes between cannabidiols (CBD), which is non-psychoactive, and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is psychoactive in nature. CBD is listed as a schedule 4 substance, save for limited circumstances in which CBD may be classified as a schedule 0 substance (Unscheduled CBD Products). Like a schedule 6 substance, schedule 4 substances are only available on the prescription of an authorised prescriber. Schedule 0 substances can be purchased off the shelf at places like pharmacies, supermarkets, health shops or convenience stores. Unscheduled CBD products comprise of complementary medicines containing no more than 600mg CBD per sales pack, providing a maximum daily dose of 20mg of CBD, and making a general health enhancement, health maintenance or relief of minor symptoms (low-risk) claim. In South Africa, legal CBD products are required to contain no more than 0.001% THC. Cannabis Oil South Africa, a cannabis oil reviewer website, decided to blind test 10 CBD products and found only one that lived up to the label claim.
In line with iMed’s mission to improve the lives of South Africans, the need to meet the requirements that the exploding cannabis industry has created for quality testing of cannabis raw materials, oils and other pharmaceutical products, motivated us to provide a comprehensive Cannabinoids testing service to complement our ISO 17025 accredited forensic toxicology laboratory test scope. Our purpose is to support suppliers of cannabis raw materials and manufacturers of CBD products to be leaders in the market providing the purest possible products to the consumer.
The importance of testing for cannabinoids:
- Confirming or determining the concentration of CBD or other non-psychoactive cannabinoids in a product or raw material is not only important to help consumers choose the correct dosage, but also to meet government’s recommended dosage of 20 mg per day, which if over, no longer can be classified as being a schedule 0 drug.
- Confirming or ensuring compliance to the CBD laws of South Africa stating that legal CBD products are required to contain no more than 0.001% THC are not only important from a legal perspective for the manufacturer but also for the consumer turning to CBD, not seeking the euphoric effects of THC, but the possible health benefits of the other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
- Guaranteeing products to be below the legally required THC levels, is also of great importance to those that need to undergo drug screening. As interest in CBD increases, some have voiced concern that it may trigger a positive drug screen. Whether for work or other reasons, drug screening has become part of life for some. Should those subject to a drug screen worry if they consume CBD? The answer depends on whether the product being used is contaminated with THC as well as the kind of test being performed.
- After an initial positive screening for cannabinoids, the sample should be sent for confirmatory testing. using. Using a test called chromatograph mass spectrometry, there will be no problem discerning THC from CBD and other cannabinoids. Also refer to our Toxicology test services section.
