Factors Influencing Psychopharmacological Effect
EFFECT OF PYROLYSIS ON THE CANNABINOIDS
Several investigators have studied the effect of pyrolysis on the cannabinoids. Most
have concluded that only negligible changes occur in the original cannabinoid fraction of
marihuana except for decarboxylation of the acids to the cannabinoids. No evidence was
found for isomerization of Delta 9 THC or Delta 8 THC nor the formation of any new
pyrolysis products (Manno et al., 1970; Coutselinis & Miras, 1970; Claussen and Korte,
1968; Foltz et al., 1971; Agurell and Leander, 1971). Mikes and Waser (1971) suggested
that a small percentage of cannabidiol was converted to Delta 9 THC, but this observation
was not confirmed by the other groups.
Coutselinis and Miras (1970) noted that less THC was destroyed during smoking when
Delta 9 THC was the only cannabinoid present rather than when a resin or a mixture of
cannabinoids were present. This was believed to be at least partially accounted for by the
distribution of THC in the cigarette. More destruction occurred when the THC was evenly
distributed in the cigarette than when it was present in a well-defined lump.
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