Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring, non-psychotropic cannabinoid of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. and has been known to induce several physiological and pharmacological effects. While CBD is approved as a medicinal product subject to prescription, it is also widely sold over the counter (OTC) in the form of food supplements, cosmetics and electronic cigarette liquids. However, regulatory difficulties arise from its origin being a narcotic plant or its status as an unapproved novel food ingredient. Regarding the consumer safety of these OTC products, the question whether or not CBD might be degraded into psychotropic cannabinoids, most prominently tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), under in vivo conditions initiated an ongoing scientific debate. This feature review aims to summarize the current knowledge of CBD degradation processes, specifically the results of in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, the literature on psychotropic effects of cannabinoids was carefully studied with a focus on the degradants and metabolites of CBD, but data were found to be sparse. While the literature is contradictory, most studies suggest that CBD is not converted to psychotropic THC under in vivo conditions. Nevertheless, it is certain that CBD degrades to psychotropic products in acidic environments. Hence, the storage stability of commercial formulations requires more attention in the future.
Highlights
The hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. naturally contains a number of different cannabinoids that are related to the elementary chemical structure of cannabinol (CBN, Figure 1a) [1]
There are two prominent products mainly used as a drug to willingly induce states of intoxication, which are called marihuana and hashish [27]
The detailed understanding of the biochemical processes induced by cannabinoids was mainly achieved by the discovery of cannabinoid receptors by Howlett et al [31,32], which prompted the discovery of endogenous cannabinoids, among which anandamide is the most prominent one [33]
Summary
The hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. naturally contains a number of different cannabinoids that are related to the elementary chemical structure of cannabinol (CBN, Figure 1a) [1]. Cannabis products (including flowering or fruiting tops of Cannabis sativa) are listed in the United Nations (UN) single convention on narcotic drugs from 1961 [4]. Processed products, which contain hemp leaves are often regarded as safe and legal, if the ∆9 -THC content does not exceed certain levels and an abuse as a narcotic drug can be ruled out. As explicitly excluded by the definition of cannabis in the UN single convention [4], seed products (e.g., hemp seed oil), without the cannabinoid-rich resin, are generally regarded as safe and may be marketed in the EU [5,6]
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