Medicinal cannabis tea contains variable doses of cannabinoids and no terpenes

Marie Bach Sønderskov*, Jørgen Bo Hasselstrøm, Rime Bahij, Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Tea is a recommended way of administration of prescribed cannabis plant products in Denmark. We aimed to investigate the cannabinoid and terpene doses contained in different teas. We analysed tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and terpene concentrations in three repeated preparations of each type of tea, and in plant material. In standard tea, concentrations of THC were [median (min-max)] 9.5 (2.3–15), 19 (13–34), and 36 (26–57) μg/mL for products with a labelled content of 6.3%, 14%, and 22% total THC (THC + THCA), respectively. The CBD concentration in tea from a product labelled with 8% total CBD (CBD + CBDA) was 7.5 (1.9–10) μg/mL. Based on this, the recommended starting amount of 0.2 L of the different teas would contain between 0.46 and 11.3 mg THC, and 0.38 to 2.0 mg CBD. Adding creamer before, but not after boiling, increased the THC and CBD concentration 2.3–4.4 and 2.1-fold, respectively. Terpenes were detected in plant material, but not in tea. The study elucidates THC and CBD doses in different teas, which may assist the clinician's choice of cannabis product. Moreover, it underscores the need for caution as administration as tea can result in exposure to different doses, even when the same cannabis product is used.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesBasic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Volume135
Issue3
Pages (from-to)334-344
Number of pages11
ISSN1742-7835
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Keywords

  • cannabinoids
  • cannabis tea
  • drug formulation
  • medicinal cannabis
  • terpenes

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