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The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis
Chemistry, Pharmacology, Manufacturing, Use, and Control of Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Dosage Formulations
- 2nd Edition - October 1, 2025
- Authors: Brian F. Thomas, Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Suman Chandra
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 3 6 5 9 - 4
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 3 6 6 0 - 0
The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis, Second Edition provides analytical chemistry methods that address the latest issues surrounding cannabis-based products. Since the first edi… Read more
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Request a sales quoteThe Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis, Second Edition provides analytical chemistry methods that address the latest issues surrounding cannabis-based products. Since the first edition was published in 2015, the cannabis industry and their portfolio of recreational and medicinal products has continued to grow and evolve rapidly. The plethora of marketed strains of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products, combined with the lack of industry standards and labelling requirements, adds to the general perception of poor-quality control and limited product oversight.
The methods described in this leading-edge volume help to support the manufacturing, labelling, and distribution of safe and consistent products with known chemical content and demonstrated performance characteristics. The book treats analytical chemistry within the context of the diverse issues surrounding medicinal and recreational cannabis in a manner designed to foster understanding and rational perspective in non-scientist stakeholders as well as scientists who are concerned with bringing a necessary degree of order to a field now characterized by confusion and contradiction. The second edition will provide an update to the basic information regarding chemistry and pharmacology of cannabis and cannabinoids and will further illustrate how analytical chemistry and scientific methods can address, inform, and eventually resolve the variety of challenges faced by industry, consumers, regulators, and researchers are currently experiencing.
The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis, Second Edition is written for a broad spectrum of analytical chemists, pharmacologists, medical doctors, clinical trials specialists, public health officials, international food and drug monitoring agencies, forensics specialists, law enforcement officers. It will also be invaluable to advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in pharmacy, pharmacology, experimental therapeutics, analytical chemistry, and forensics.
- Addresses current and emerging analytical chemistry methods- a unique approach among the literature on this topic
- Presents information from a broad perspective on a range of issues in a single, concise volume
- Employs language comprehensible to non-technical stakeholders as well as to specialists in analytical chemistry
- Core concepts in botany, analytical chemistry, dosage formulation, as well as quality control and assurance will be further expanded upon and updated with reference to recent literature, regulatory guidance, and industry best practices
- New chapter added on the endogenous cannabinoid signalling system to provide a foundation for understanding cannabinoid mechanisms of action
- Other new areas discussed in detail include fermentation and other approaches to bulk cannabinoid synthesis, novel formulations and their analytical characterization, applications of statistics and informatics in plant, formulation, and delivery analysis, bioanalytical methods used for determining mechanism of action (receptor binding), pharmacokinetics (in vitro and in vivo methods), and exposure assessment
Analytical chemists, pharmacologists, medical doctors, clinical trials specialists, public health officials, international food and drug monitoring agencies, forensics specialists, law enforcement officers. Students and teachers on advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses in pharmacy, pharmacology, experimental therapeutics, analytical chemistry, and forensics
Chapter 1. Introduction to Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cannabimimetics
Varieties of Cannabis sativa
Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes, and other Chemical Constituents of C. sativa
Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands (Endocannabinoids)
Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics
History of Use, Oversight, and Regulation
References
Chapter 2. The Endogenous Cannabinoid Signaling System
Enzymes for Synthesis and Degradation of Endocannabinoids
Cannabinoid Receptors and Signal Transduction
CB1 Receptor Distribution and Function
CB2 Receptor Distribution and Function
References
Chapter 3. Botany of Cannabis Sativa
Botanical Description
Chemical Constituents and Phenotypes of C. sativa
Cannabis Biosynthesis
Selection of Elite Clones for Plant Propagation
Plant Growth and Cultivation
Indoor Cultivation
Outdoor Cultivation
Harvesting and Processing
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4. Synthesis of Cannabinoids
In a Flask
In Cannabis
In Yeast and Bacteria
In Artificial Trichomes
References
Chapter 5. Isolation of Cannabinoids and Manufacture of Cannabinoid-Containing Dosage Formulations
Medical and Recreational Cannabis Formulations
Batch Production Records and Documentation
Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls
Drug Master Files
References
Chapter 6. Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Cannabis and Cannabinoid-Containing Products
Analytical Methods in Formulation Development and Manufacturing
Qualification of Raw Ingredients and In-Process Testing
Stability and Forced Degradation Studies
Exposure Assessment: Disintegration, Dissolution, and Determination of Smoke and Vapor Yields
Specifications and Label Claims
References
Chapter 7. Bioanalytical Methods and Pharmacokinetic Assessment
Receptor Binding and Mechanisms of Action
Quantitative Analysis of Endocannabinoids
Quantitation of Phytocannabinoids in Biological Fluids
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Methods
References
Chapter 8. Post-Marketing Surveillance and Pharmacovigilance
Real-World Evidence and Targeted Clinical Investigations
Monitoring for Exposure Response Relationships, Adverse Events, and Consumer Complaints
Testing for Content and Labeling Accuracy
FDA Warning Letters
References
Chapter 9. Identification and Quantitation of Synthetic Cannabimimetics
New Chemical Entities and Structural Scaffolds
Unknown Ingredients, Degradants, and Excipients
Potential Exposure to Products of Pyrolysis and Thermolysis
References
Chapter 10. Research and Regulation of Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands
Dietary Supplements, Botanical Drug Substances and Products, and Controlled Substances
Implications to Consumers
Implications to Suppliers
Implications to Researchers
Implications to Regulators
References
Chapter 11. The Future of Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cannabimimetics
Medical or Recreational, Is That a Question?
Caveat Emptor - Lessons Learned from Commercial Marketing and Synthetics
References
Varieties of Cannabis sativa
Phytocannabinoids, Terpenes, and other Chemical Constituents of C. sativa
Endogenous Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands (Endocannabinoids)
Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics
History of Use, Oversight, and Regulation
References
Chapter 2. The Endogenous Cannabinoid Signaling System
Enzymes for Synthesis and Degradation of Endocannabinoids
Cannabinoid Receptors and Signal Transduction
CB1 Receptor Distribution and Function
CB2 Receptor Distribution and Function
References
Chapter 3. Botany of Cannabis Sativa
Botanical Description
Chemical Constituents and Phenotypes of C. sativa
Cannabis Biosynthesis
Selection of Elite Clones for Plant Propagation
Plant Growth and Cultivation
Indoor Cultivation
Outdoor Cultivation
Harvesting and Processing
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4. Synthesis of Cannabinoids
In a Flask
In Cannabis
In Yeast and Bacteria
In Artificial Trichomes
References
Chapter 5. Isolation of Cannabinoids and Manufacture of Cannabinoid-Containing Dosage Formulations
Medical and Recreational Cannabis Formulations
Batch Production Records and Documentation
Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls
Drug Master Files
References
Chapter 6. Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Cannabis and Cannabinoid-Containing Products
Analytical Methods in Formulation Development and Manufacturing
Qualification of Raw Ingredients and In-Process Testing
Stability and Forced Degradation Studies
Exposure Assessment: Disintegration, Dissolution, and Determination of Smoke and Vapor Yields
Specifications and Label Claims
References
Chapter 7. Bioanalytical Methods and Pharmacokinetic Assessment
Receptor Binding and Mechanisms of Action
Quantitative Analysis of Endocannabinoids
Quantitation of Phytocannabinoids in Biological Fluids
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Methods
References
Chapter 8. Post-Marketing Surveillance and Pharmacovigilance
Real-World Evidence and Targeted Clinical Investigations
Monitoring for Exposure Response Relationships, Adverse Events, and Consumer Complaints
Testing for Content and Labeling Accuracy
FDA Warning Letters
References
Chapter 9. Identification and Quantitation of Synthetic Cannabimimetics
New Chemical Entities and Structural Scaffolds
Unknown Ingredients, Degradants, and Excipients
Potential Exposure to Products of Pyrolysis and Thermolysis
References
Chapter 10. Research and Regulation of Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands
Dietary Supplements, Botanical Drug Substances and Products, and Controlled Substances
Implications to Consumers
Implications to Suppliers
Implications to Researchers
Implications to Regulators
References
Chapter 11. The Future of Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cannabimimetics
Medical or Recreational, Is That a Question?
Caveat Emptor - Lessons Learned from Commercial Marketing and Synthetics
References
- No. of pages: 256
- Language: English
- Edition: 2
- Published: October 1, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Paperback ISBN: 9780443236594
- eBook ISBN: 9780443236600
BT
Brian F. Thomas
Brian F. Thomas earned his doctoral degree in 1992 from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. He then joined Research Triangle Institute and assumed the role of Principal Investigator on National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research contracts titled “Purity Specifications, Storage and Distribution for Medications Development,” “Preparation and Distribution of Research Drug Products,” and “Production, Analysis and Distribution of Cannabis, Marijuana Cigarettes and Related Materials.” Serving in these roles, he coordinated the preparation and analysis of research drugs and substance abuse treatment medications at RTI for over 28 years. In addition to contract research, Dr. Thomas served as Principal Investigator on several NIDA R01 grant-funded research awards involving the characterization of cannabinoid ligand-receptor interactions and their relationship to in vivo pharmacological effects.
In 2019, he joined Canopy Growth Corporation as Senior Director, Analytical Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, and Pharmaceutics, where he had management oversight of drug substance and product testing to support preclinical and clinical studies of cannabinoids in accordance with regulatory guidance. He also directed the integration of medicinal chemistry and in vitro pharmacological screening approaches to support development of consumer products and drive clinical drug discovery and therapeutic product development and commercialization efforts. He was subsequently recruited by The Cronos Group to serve as the Director of Analytical Sciences, with management oversight of scientists at production and research and development facilities in the United States, Canada, and Israel. He also engaged with the US Hemp Roundtable and other trade and scientific organizations to provide critical input to regulations and regulatory oversight by state, federal, and international regulatory authorities. He is currently providing pharmaceutical consulting services as the Principal Scientist at Empirical Pharmaceutical Services, LLC. He also serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of Bright Green Corporation and Biopharmaceutical Research Company, two of the cannabis companies selected by the US government to grow, manufacture, and sell, legally under federal and state laws, cannabis and cannabis-related products for research, pharmaceutical applications, and export. He has authored or co-authored over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts and numerous book chapters, coauthored a book, and served as the Series Editor of Elsevier’s Emerging Issues in Analytical Chemistry.
Affiliations and expertise
Principal Scientist, Empirical Pharmaceutical Services, LLC, Manteo, NC, USAME
Mahmoud A. ElSohly
Mahmoud A. ElSohly is a Research Professor at the National Center for Natural Products Research and Professor of Pharmaceutics in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USA. He is the Project Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse Marijuana Project at the University of Mississippi (1981 to present). He is President and Director of ElSohly Laboratories Incorporated, Oxford, MS, a small company providing precision analytical testing and manufacturing services for the drug testing industry since 1985. He obtained a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacy (Pharmacognosy) from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. Dr. ElSohly holds more than 30 patents dealing with the processing, testing, and detection of drugs of abuse along with other patents dealing with biologically active natural products. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed scholarly articles published in top-tier international journals. He is a member of 14 scholarly scientific societies and was recognized by The Scientist (April 17, 1995) and ScienceWatch (January 1995) as the second most cited author in forensic sciences in the world for the period 1981–1993.
Affiliations and expertise
Research Professor, National Center for Natural Products Research and Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USASC
Suman Chandra
Suman Chandra received his M.Phil. degree in Environmental Plant Physiology and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Center, HNB Garhwal University, India. He worked at the High-Altitude Plant Physiology Research Center and the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, India from 1992 to 2000. He joined the University of Mississippi, USA in 2001 and is currently working as Principal Scientist at the National Center for Natural Product Research and the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the School of Pharmacy. His research interests include conservation, cultivation and improvement of medicinal plants, and effects of climatic changes on physiology and secondary metabolites of medicinally important plants. Dr. Chandra has more than 22 years of experience in the field of cannabis and cannabinoid research. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and two edited books.
Affiliations and expertise
Principal Scientist, the National Center for Natural Product Research and the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USA