title: Forensic aspects of the metabolism and excretion of cannabinoids following oral ingestion of cannabis resin.
abstract: Following oral ingestion of cannabis resin, delta 9-THC-11-oic acid and its O-ester glucuronide were detected using RIA and combined hplc/RIA and shown to be major plasma metabolites of delta 9-THC. delta 9-THC-11-oic acid was not excreted in the urine in significant concentrations, the glucuronide conjugate being the major urinary metabolite detected. delta 9-THC metabolites were detected in blood for up to 5 days and in urine for up to 12 days following a single oral dose of delta 9-THC (20 mg). Estimates for the half life of delta 9-THC-11-oic acid and its glucuronide in plasma, and total metabolites in urine have been obtained. Interpretation of blood or urine total cannabinoid levels is most difficult, however, drug/metabolite ratios and metabolite/metabolite ratios may have potential for indicating recent cannabis use.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001711:Biotransformation; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002188:Cannabis; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004355:Drug Stability; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D013759:Dronabinol