II. DRUGS OF ABUSE

1. Cannabis

1. Define the terms cannabis and marijuana.
2. Are cannabis and marihuana the same thing?
3. What is hemp, and what is the primary difference between it and marijuana?
4. How many species of cannabis are known?
5. What is the primary psychoactive chemical in cannabis?
6. What are the primary chemical constituents found in cannabis?
7. Are these compounds considered alkaloids?
8. Name the principal cannabinoids.
9. Draw the structures of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol, and cannabidiol.
10. How is cannabinol formed?
11. What are different nomenclature systems (i.e. delta-9, delta-1) used to describe THC?
12. For a positive conclusion, what morphological features are essential to be observed in the macro/ microscopic examination suspected cannabis?
13. What are examples of unicellular and multi-cellular hairs on Cannabis?
14. What hair combinations are selective/unique to cannabis? When was this research completed?
15. Are there any other plants that have cystolithic hairs?
16. Discuss the taxonomy of cannabis.
17. Name the gross physical and microscopic characteristics of the Cannabis sativa L. plant.
18. Are cystolithic hairs glandular or non-glandular?
19. Does the male plant produce flowers?
20. Does the male plant produce THC?
21. What is sensimilla?
22. What are the typical characteristics of cannabis seeds?
23. List some features of cultivated cannabis that non-cultivated cannabis lacks.
24. What are other cannabis products?
25. What are the most common cannabis products submitted to your lab?
26. How are these cannabis products used?
27. What is the name for the extracted resin of cannabis?
28. Describe the range of physical forms in which cannabis plant material presented in casework submissions.
29. What is the difference between cannabis resin, hashish and hash oil?
30. What is the goal of cannabis breeding/cultivation?
31. How is this resin produced?
32. Ditchweed marijuana is a term that describes uncultivated marijuana of very low potency. Can this be cultivated into a plant producing very potent buds?
33. What are Thai sticks?
34. What is the difference between Thai sticks and Thai pills?
35. Can cannabis be baked into brownies without losing most of its potency?
36. Describe the preparation of “butane honey oil”.
37. What is cannabis butter?
38. What was the original purpose for the development of 'spice'-type compounds?
39. What has been found in herbal products marketed as “Spice,” “Spice Gold,” “Spice Diamond,” etc.?
40. In your jurisdiction, are chemical compounds found in spice products controlled as specific chemical compounds or as categories of chemical functional groups?
41. What color tests are used in the analysis of cannabis?
42. What instrumental techniques are considered most suitable for the analysis of cannabis?
43. Is a conclusive identification of cannabis accomplished by obtaining positive results with both a microscopic examination and with an appropriate color test?
44. What has been reported to yield positive color changes with the Duquenois-Levine Test?
45. How can TLC be used as part of an analytical protocol for the identification of cannabis?
46. What are the challenges in finding cannabinoids in young cannabis plants vs. mature plants?
47. What is the role of the hydrochloric acid in the Duquenois test?
48. What is the difference between the Duquenois test, the Duquenois-Levine test, the Rapid Duquenois Levine test, and the Modified Duquenois test?
49. Are color tests suitable for the determination of 'spice'-type compounds?
50. Should you run a blank with TLC and Duquenois?
51. List 3 analytical tests used to identify cannabis and the expected results.
52. Are there any substances that will give a positive Duquenois-Levine test (characteristic violet chloroform layer) other than THC and other cannabinoids?
53. Describe the analytical criteria necessary to identify THC in each of the following: Cannabis, Cannabis resin (Hashish), Hash Oil Food Products.
54. Which parts of the cannabis plant are controlled?
55. Is hemp legal in your jurisdiction?
56. How many species of Cannabis are controlled?
57. Must cannabis seeds be viable to be controlled?
58. Is cannabis controlled in your jurisdiction? Under what legislative Schedule is cannabis and why?
59. Does cannabis have approved medical uses?
60. Are human deaths commonly attributed directly to the toxic effect of smoking cannabis?
61. Twelve 5 mm long burnt hand rolled cigarette remnants containing suspected cannabis are submitted as an exhibit for controlled substances analysis. Cannabis is identified. Is this sufficient to constitute a usable amount? Explain this according to your jurisdictional requirements.
62. Does EI-GCMS alone easily distinguish delta-9-THC from delta-8-THC without derivatization?
63. THC is suspected to be contained in an exhibit consisting of a dozen Gummy Bears. The Duquenois-Levine Test corroborates this. Suggest an effective procedure to prepare an extract for injection into a GCMS.
64. Does EI-GCMS easily distinguish between all of the synthetic cannabinoids?
65. How much weight loss in a cannabis seizure can be attributed to natural causes?