An Analytical Chemist's Approach to Legalized Marijuana: Future Analytical Considerations Jeffery H. Moran Branch Chief, Arkansas Department of Health Arkansas Public Health Laboratory
Disclaimer I have no financial interest associated with the topic of this presentation. I am a Managing Partner of PinPoint Testing, LLC Comments are solely the responsibility of Jeffery H. Moran and do not represent the official views of the Arkansas Department of Health or PinPoint Testing, LLC. I m a drugs are bad person I m a Just say Know person
Outline Center for Drug Detection and Response Laboratory Response Network: Chemistry Laboratories Mission Existing infrastructure and why it may offer a viable solution for advanced testing services? Directly or Indirectly Adulterations with Designer Drug(s) Synthetic Cannabinoids Forensic identification and evaluation Statewide surveillance and tracking data
Founded in response to the emergence designer drugs Combines government, academic, clinical and private resources (ADH, ASCL, UAMS, ACH, PCC, Cayman Chemical, PinPoint Testing, LLC, etc.) National, local advisory groups consisting of professional and community members (DEA, CDC, John W. Huffman, Nate Smith, Kermit Channell, Beth Coulson, etc.) Develop analytical capacity, maintains statewide surveillance and tracking, professional and community education
Getting to Know Your LRN-C The LRN was established by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in accordance with Presidential Decision Directive 39. The mission of the LRN is to develop, maintain, and strengthen an integrated national and international network of laboratories that can respond quickly to needs for rapid testing, timely notification, and secure messaging of results associated with acts of biological or chemical terrorism and other high priority public health emergencies. To achieve this objective LRN laboratories are staffed, trained and equipped to perform complex clinical chemical analyses required to assess human exposure to dangerous chemicals. Importantly, LRN-C is in just about every state
Laboratory Response Network: Chemistry Laboratories Fit for Purpose: Level 2 ICP-MS analysis - Trace metals lead, mercury, arsenic GC-MS - Volatiles, pesticides, and other poisons LC-MS/MS - Semi- and non-volatiles also provides added specificity and is a work horse for low level quantification Network staffed with vast expertise for human, environmental, and food analyses (e.g. white powders)
Psychoactive Alphabet Soup: JWH, MDPV, DMT, BZP, NBOME, 2Cs, 25I, MDMA, 5MEO-DALT, MXE, TFMPP, AM2201 K2/Spice Bath Salts Herbal Highs Legal Highs Designer Drugs Synthetics Research Chemicals New Psychoactive Substances Novel Psychoactive Substances
Legal Highs Coming to America Dark Web
Synthetic Cannabinoids Starting in 2008 to 2009, marketed as 100s of different brand name products disguised as incense, potpourri, herbal smoke blends Commonly sold in sachets contain 3 grams of vegetable matter which are treated with one or more synthetic cannabinoids (but not always vegetable matter in appearance) Most commonly smoked, but reports of ingestion, insufflation, rectal and parenteral use. Cost of 3 grams is between $20-50, utilized dose varies from user to user Original labeling listed multiple herbal compounds and always with some wording of not for human consumption
User Demographic
Arkansas Forensic Investigation Jan 2010-2014 >4300 Items 1823 Cases 47 Synthetic Cannabinoids 17 Designer Stimulants 9 Designer Hallucinogens Designer Stimulants Synthetic Cannabinoids Designer Hallucinogens Designer Mixtures Seely KA, Patton AL, Moran CL, et al. Forensic Sci Int 2013 Dec 10; 233(1-3): 416-22.
Specific Matrix Evaluations: Vegetable Material vs. Bath Salt
Statewide Tracking and Surveillance Drugs and PCC communication Community outreach and education Physician, law enforcement and legal education
Newly Emerging Synthetic Cannabinoids 7 to 10 synthetic cannabinoids are historically found in 80 to 90% of all designer drug products seized in Arkansas New derivatives introduced in an attempt to evade regulation
Summary Public health laboratories have existing infrastructure and expertise to help establish marijuana testing laboratories Shy away from labeling marijuana as safe Smoking anything is risky Consuming drugs is risky Recent emergence of designer drugs complicates analytical surveillance for legalized marijuana Biomedical research is necessary Effective tracking and surveillance is also necessary
Final Thoughts Dramatic paradigm shift for the role of a public health laboratory Some infrastructure and expertise is in place. Creative ideas and workflows may need to be created to meet new legislative mandates.
Thanks to: Contact Information: Jeffery Moran: jeffery.moran@arkansas.gov 501-661-2826 Center for Drug Detection and Response: http://pharmtox.uams.edu/?id=12632&sid=47