Identification of (3R,4R)-gD¹⁽⁶⁾ as an isolation artefact of cannabinoid acids formed by callus cultures ofCannabis sativa L

Summary

For the first time we have isolated a major psychoactive cannabinoid, (3R, 4R)-Δ ¹⁽⁶⁾-tetrahydrocannabinol3 from callus cultures ofCannabis sativa L.3 was obtained as an artefact of the actually formed (3R, 4R)-Δ ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol-3′- and/or 5′-carboxylic acids1 and2 by subjecting the culture material to a decarboxylation step prior to extraction. No attempt was made to isolated acids1 and2. The identity of3 was confirmed by comparison with an authentic sample of (3R, 4R)-Δ ¹-tetrahydrocannabinol. Culture conditions, isolation procedure and identification of the cannabinoid are described.