Cannabix, developer of marijuana breathalyzer devices for law enforcement and the workplace, reports that its proprietary laboratory-based marijuana detection equipment has detected THC (∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in breath samples after consumption of edibles.
Cannabix’s Mass Spectrometer Breath Sampler (MSBS) technology along with the handheld Breath Collection Unit (BCU) have been providing consistent results in the detection of THC in breath from smoking. More recently, the technology has been used to detect THC after consumption of edibles containing marijuana. Cannabix has been focused on developing it MSBS as a new, simpler and effective way to test for recent use of marijuana and confirm for THC in breath using gold-standard mass spectrometry (MS).
Highlights and Updates:
- MSBS technology has shown the sensitivity in the low picogram range, for THC in breath allowing for detection of THC from smoking and edibles up to 4 hours after consumption.
- Cannabix’s MSBS method for detection of THC in breath has striking differences with conventional, legacy methods [1].
- Cannabix has initiated discussions with industry leading forensic laboratory organizations on how to best integrate its novel MSBS hardware into current forensic testing and analysis methods.
- Scientists at Cannabix are experimenting with a ‘quantification marker’ (using deuterated ∆9-THC as an internal standard) added to its breath sample cartridge for confirmation and potential quantification of THC in breath.
- Cannabix has recently delivered its BCU to the Friedel Clinic in Montana for testing with subjects.
Cannabis and its extracted active ingredients are commonly mixed into various types of food, including brownies, cookies, and candy. After eating an edible containing marijuana, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract and undergoes a first metabolic pass in the liver before entering general circulation. Metabolism through the liver further reduces the amount of analyte that makes its way through to the breath relative to smoking.