Detection and identification of cannabis by DNA.
The unambiguous identification of illicit substances, including Cannabis sativa, is a major concern of law enforcement agencies. Current methods of cannabis identification involve the use of techniques such as HPLC and GC to identify cannabinoids. A method for the identification of cannabis using DNA-specific primers has been developed and is described here. The nucleotide sequences between the trnL and trnF genes in the chloroplast of Cannabis sativa have been determined and Cannabis sativa-specific nucleotide sequences within the intergenic spacer between the trnL 3' exon and trnF gene identified. Primers, made to these sequences, have been tested on a range of different plant extracts but only give a PCR product in the presence of Cannabis sativa. The successful production of a PCR product using these primers identifies the presence of cannabis.
Linacre
A
A
Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Royal College, Glasgow, UK. cbas43@strath.ac.uk
Thorpe
J
J
D002188:Cannabis / Q000235:genetics*; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000235:genetics; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D018745:Genome, Plant; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D018744:DNA, Plant