DNA testing of suspected cannabis samples with exceptional morphology using a simple detection kit

Abstract

Cannabis is the most abused drug in the world and molecular biology techniques for the analysis of cannabis have attracted attention in recent years. We report a case of three persons conspiring to possess cannabis-like leaf pieces for profit. We present the results of DNA testing by a simple kit on suspected cannabis samples with exceptionally shaped leaves. DNA was obtained from the samples of cannabis leaves by a simple and rapid procedure using a cannabis DNA detection kit or commercially available purified plant DNA extraction kit. Undiluted or diluted DNA solution was used as templates for amplification of cannabis-specific sequences by triplex PCR. The presence or absence of PCR amplicon was visually observed by a DNA chromatography detection system to determine whether the sample was cannabis or not. When the DNA was extracted by the simple procedure and used without dilution, PCR failed to identify cannabis samples. However, when purified DNA was used, PCR amplification was successful in identifying all cannabis samples. Notably, in case of DNA extracted by the simple procedure, 10 to 50-fold dilution of the solution reduced PCR inhibition and PCR amplification was successful. Although the quality of the DNA used as PCR template needs to be considered, simple DNA testing with a kit is very effective for identifying suspected cannabis samples with exceptional morphology.