Characterizing the Smell of Marijuana by Odor Impact of Volatile Compounds: An Application of Simultaneous Chemical and Sensory Analysis.

Somchai Rice,Jacek A Koziel,John I Glendinning

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144160

Somchai Rice, Jacek A Koziel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144160

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Dec 10, 2015
Citations: 80	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Iowa State University

Abstract

Recent US legislation permitting recreational use of marijuana in certain states brings the use of marijuana odor as probable cause for search and seizure to the forefront of forensic science, once again. This study showed the use of solid-phase microextraction with multidimensional gas chromatography—mass spectrometry and simultaneous human olfaction to characterize the total aroma of marijuana. The application of odor activity analysis offers an explanation as to why high volatile chemical concentration does not equate to most potent odor impact of a certain compound. This suggests that more attention should be focused on highly odorous compounds typically present in low concentrations, such as nonanal, decanol, o-cymene, benzaldehyde, which have more potent odor impact than previously reported marijuana headspace volatiles.

Highlights

Americans know the Fourth Amendment of the U.S Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure, without a warrant, by government bodies
The objectives of this study were to (1) identify odorous compounds emitted from marijuana using multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) tandem mass spectrometry coupled with simultaneous human olfaction and (2) show an application and novelty of odor activity values (OAV) to better understand the ‘characteristic’ aromas of marijuana (3) explore aromatic compounds that are emitted through packaging typical in illicit distribution of marijuana
Odorous compounds emitted from marijuana were identified using MDGC-MS coupled with simultaneous human olfaction

Summary

Introduction

Americans know the Fourth Amendment of the U.S Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure, without a warrant, by government bodies. Landmark legal cases have set a precedent of what is deemed probable cause (S1 Table). Courts are challenged to be consistent with using odor of marijuana as probable cause when recreational use is legal in some states and illegal at the federal level. Previous research has been conducted, identifying the volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in the headspace of marijuana.

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