Toxicological study of a fatal intoxication by man due to cannabis smoking
Heyndrickx, A.; Scheiris, C.; Schepens, P.
Journal de Pharmacie de Belgique 24(7): 371-376
1969
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-2166 PMID: 5355627 Document Number: 5933
An extraction procedure and thin-layer chromatography of Cannabis Sativa is described. This method was applied in a post-mortem toxicological analysis of a man who died from smoking Cannabis. We were able to detect in the urine one of the main components of indian hemp. From the main Cannabis ingredients, Cannabinol, Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol, only Cannabinol was found in the urine. However, having examined the biological samples 5 days after death (post-mortem), we can not exclude the disappearance of some Cannabis components. CBDA, CBD and THC are very unstable compounds and can oxydise easily to Cannabinol due to metabolisation or to degeneration during the post-mortem period. Furthermore we have no idea about the amount of Cannabis which must be taken orally or smoken before a detectable amount of the active compounds appears in the urine or biological material.
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