Time Saving Sample Prep for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis by LC-MS/MS

Kavinda De Silva, Molecular Testing Labs, USA
Siobhan McKenney-Hara, Molecular Testing Labs, USA
Sam Ellis, Thomson Instrument Company, USA
Lisa Wanders, Thomson Instrument Company, USA
Yair Shachar, Yair Technologies, Israel

Pesticide analysis of cannabis leaves and finished goods is becoming increasingly important as many states are legalizing it for medicinal and recreational purposes. Dosing methods include smoking/vaporizing and edibles but cannabis is still a Schedule 1 illegal drug and therefore have no FDA testing guidelines. Trace levels of pesticides can be incurred during cultivation or inhaled from dried pesticides on the cannabis. This study evaluates the sample preparation aspect for LC-MS/MS analysis of a panel of pesticides. We compared SPE, QuEChERS, and eXtreme|FV for recovery, sample prep time, and cost.