We are excited to announce the addition of ketamine to our umbilical cord tissue testing menu. These substances can be ordered as a 20-panel and add-on beginning July 28, 2025.

Click here to learn more about our new ketamine test.

For more information on umbilical cord tissue testing click here.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration release an annual “Drugs of Abuse” packet to be “a reliable resource on the most commonly used and misused drugs in the United States.”

Click here to read the 2024 version!

Photo by: USDTL, Delta-8 THCP molecular structure unknown at the time of publication

Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Basics

The term cannabinoid refers to any chemical compound that interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. (2) These compounds are largely derived from Cannabis sativa, a plant that contains approximately 540 known chemical substances. (1) Under the United States’ 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills, plants with very low levels of THC (0.3%) are classified as industrial hemp. (8)

Trending Cannabinoids

Phytocannabinoids are compounds structurally similar to delta-9 THC or CBD but may be synthetically modified or occur in low concentrations naturally, and many have yet to be fully studied. They’re frequently found in vape cartridges, oils, gummies, and other over-the-counter products that can work around federal regulations. (3)

One of the major public health concerns with these types of cannabinoids is the accuracy of product labeling. For example, over-the-counter CBD products may contain significantly more or less CBD than listed. Due to limited regulatory oversight, they may also contain contaminants like THC without the consumer’s knowledge. (1) This both complicates toxicology testing and risks unintentional intoxication, especially in vulnerable populations like children.

Dr. Donna Coy, Ph.D., NRCC-TC, Laboratory Director at USDTL, highlights the main concern for public health:

“Different cannabinoids that circumvent the legal status of marijuana are being seen in the forensic toxicology field. These other cannabinoids have a different structure or are hemp-derived and may be illegal, depending on local legislation. Someone could use these products and have a negative delta-9 THC result.”

Here are some of the trending phytocannabinoids being seen on the market:

Delta-8 THC

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant in small quantities. However, delta-8 is often synthesized from hemp-derived CBD due to hemp’s low natural abundance. (5)

The FDA has raised alarms about delta-8 THC products because of:

• Inconsistent and dangerous product formulations and labeling;
• Unknown cannabinoid and terpene profiles;
• Variable potency and psychoactive effects;
• Misleading “hemp” branding that implies non-psychoactivity;
• Unregulated and/or unsanitary manufacturing conditions. (5)

From January 2021 to February 2022, US poison control centers received 2,362 exposure cases involving delta-8 THC products. (5)

Delta-9 THC

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis and binds to the CB1 receptor in the body to produce a range of biological and behavioral responses. (6) This means it is the “typical” cannabis product that most are familiar with.

While delta-9 THC and CBD are the most studied phytocannabinoids, several analogs with slight chemical variations are emerging in consumer products. (7)

Delta-10 THC

Delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ10-THC) is another THC analog with limited research, but it contains known psychoactive potential. It has been associated with multiple poison control reports. Between 2021 and 2022, 5,022 cases involving delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC were reported to US poison centers. (9)

Delta-9-THCP

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP) is thought to be significantly more potent than delta-9 THC. (2) In one case study, a regular cannabis user experienced psychotic symptoms and was hospitalized after consuming 8 mg of THCP. (2)

THCP does appear naturally in cannabis plants but only in small amounts. As a result, most products containing THCP are synthesized or genetically modified. (3) Despite this, its human effects remain poorly understood, and its availability in the commercial market remains controversial.

A study from Haghdoost, et al. states, “Part of this interest [in THCP] is because of the intoxicating effect of THCP, which allows users to achieve a ‘legal high’ by taking advantage of unintended allowances in the wording of the 2018 Farm Bill.” (3) This loophole is because THCP is under the 0.3% THC in dry weight count by federal law, allowing online markets and head shop owners the ability to sell it freely without fully knowing the effects.

Delta-8 THCP

Much like delta-9 THCP, delta-8 tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ8-THCP) is synthetically produced and likely psychoactive, but little research exists on its effects.

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive, naturally-occurring phytocannabinoid that does not cause a “high.” It is commonly used for a range of wellness claims, though scientific understanding of its full effects is still developing. (8) However, CBD is not entirely risk-free. Unknown side effects, drug interactions, and potential contamination are all concerns consumers should keep in mind. (8)

Moreover, many vendors that sell CBD also market THC-containing products. Without proper labeling, consumers may unknowingly ingest psychoactive substances. (8)

For more on this topic, see our blog post “What We Know About CBD.”

CBDP

Cannabidiphorol (CBDP) is a non-psychoactive analog of CBD, also discovered naturally in small amounts in cannabis plants. Much like THCP, its low natural abundance makes mass production difficult, so it is often made synthetically with genetic modifications to the plants to mimic the effects. (3)

Both THCP and CBDP are available in distillates, vapes, and gummies through online platforms, despite little data on safety or long-term impact. (3)

HHC

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a hydrogenated form of THC with trace natural occurrence, typically produced semi-synthetically. It is considered mildly psychoactive and has been marketed widely as a “legal high.” (4)

A 2023 review noted that while HHC products are readily available, there is concern over their potential for misuse or dependency, even though no intoxication cases had been formally reported by that time. The concern comes from its structural similarities to delta-9-THC and “CB1-mediated tetrad effects in mice.” (4) The same study noted concern that HHC is available to purchase on the internet as a “legal” replacement to THC. (4)

Why Test for Them?

Standard drug testing focuses on delta-9 THC, missing many analogs and synthetic cannabinoids that can still impair users and may be misused. With the rise of synthetic and genetically-modified cannabinoids in products marketed as “hemp” or “legal,” toxicology must evolve.

Our extended cannabinoid panels in ChildGuard^® can be used for accurate detection in cases involving suspected cannabinoid exposure in vulnerable populations.

References:

1. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11791752/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11277192/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10616920/
5. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2731700/
7. https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/cross-reactivity-cannabinoid-analogs-delta-8-thc-delta-10-thc-and-cbd-their
8. https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/about/about-cbd.html
9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2340115