Application of the QuEChERS procedure for analysis of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites in authentic whole blood samples by GC–MS/MS

PURPOSE: Analysis of drugs and their metabolites in biofluids usually demands the application of sample preparation methods that allow for full isolation of analyzed substances from the matrix. The purpose of this study was to develop a method using the QuEChERS procedure for analysis of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-COOH-THC). METHODS: THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC were quantified in whole blood samples using QuEChERS extraction and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The described method is characterized by good linearity, very low detection limits and satisfactory inter- and intraday precisions for THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC. The applicability of the procedure was confirmed using authentic whole blood samples collected from 30 persons suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The application of QuEChERS extraction described herein is a simple and convenient method for the routine analysis of THC, 11-OH-THC and 11-COOH-THC in whole blood samples from living and deceased humans. To our knowledge, this paper is the first academic report describing the QuEChERS extraction of THC and its metabolites from whole blood specimens.