The Influence of Long-term Storage Conditions on the Stability of Cannabinoids derived from Cannabis Resin

The objective of this paper was to investigate the changes in chemical potency of cannabis resin depending on its long-term storage conditions. In this respect, the content of tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis resin derived from three different seizures made by criminal prosecution authorities from Romania were measured for up to four years of storage in darkness at 4 degrees C and in laboratory light at 22 degrees C. The results revealed a steadily decay of Delta(9)-THC over the entire storage period. In addition, the samples exhibited a more pronounced decay for the sample exposed to light at 22 degrees C than those stored in darkness at 4 degrees C. For CBD decay, the same trend is valid also. On the contrary, the content of CBN raised steadily during storage, and the raise is more pronounced for the samples exposed to light at 22 degrees C than those stored in the darkness at 4 degrees C.