In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Rabi Ann Musah, a Professor of Chemistry at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Dr. Musah shares her groundbreaking research on distinguishing between hemp and marijuana, two varieties of Cannabis sativa that are chemically similar yet legally distinct.
Dr. Musah explains the primary difference between hemp and marijuana lies in their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. While both belong to the Cannabis sativa species, hemp contains 0.3% or less THC, making it non-psychoactive and legal under federal law, whereas marijuana has higher THC levels and remains a controlled substance.
The conversation delves into the difficulties faced by law enforcement and forensic laboratories in distinguishing between hemp and marijuana, given their similar appearances and chemical compositions. Current methods require quantifying THC levels, a process that is both time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Dr. Musah discusses her development of a rapid field test that targets metabolomic differences between the two plants. This novel approach utilizes ambient ionization mass spectrometry combined with chemometric analysis to provide real-time, accurate differentiation without extensive sample preparation.
Dr. Musah also shares insights into ongoing research and the potential for developing similar testing methods for other controlled substances, as well as the importance of collaboration between academic researchers and law enforcement to address emerging challenges in forensic science.
Find out more about Pittcon 2026!
https://www.pittcon.org
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Cannabis Analysis in Forensics
08:05 Challenges in Differentiating Hemp and Marijuana
11:04 Revolutionizing Cannabis Analysis with DART-HRMS
13:52 The Role of Statistical Analysis in Cannabis Research
18:05 Mentorship and Community in Scientific Research
#cannabisscience #chemistry #hempanalysis #cannabisanalysis
#forensicscience #statisticalanalysis #dartms #pittcon
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