In organic chemistry, a method of separating the compounds in a medicinal plant involves a type of chromatography. The most common types of chromatography used includes gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), since inception, recommended using Gas Chromatography in determining drug-type marijuana from fiber-type marijuana along with using a ratio of only two cannabinoids - THC and CBD. They have determined that a ratio of greater than one means drug-type and less than one indicates fiber or hemp type.
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| Chromatogram using GC |
The problem with gas chromatography is in its lack of ability in separating the cannabinoids cannabichromene - CBC and cannabidiol - CBD.
In most Indica strains tested using Thin Layer Chromatography, there was either no cannabidiol present or there was only trace amounts relative to CBG - cannabigerol, THCV - tetrahydrocannabivarin, CBC - cannabichromene and THC.
As a result of the UN's antiquated testing method with the view of confiscating cannabis, the new emerging cannabis industry market is starting off on the wrong foot by indicating only THC and CBD as the only cannabinoids deemed worthy of knowledge and disclosure.
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