Hot Topics and Hotboxing: Latest Research on Cannabis Inhalation

Cannabis testing focuses on harm reduction, by testing for unwanted pesticides, heavy metals and biological contamination. Additionally, cannabinoid levels are measured in the product.
Although these final product tests miss one important aspect of cannabis consumption: the actual process of consumption. For inhalable products, like joints and vape cartridges, the dosing of cannabinoids and chemical changes during burning/vaporization are mostly unknow.
We have developed a testing platform to quantify cannabinoid and terpene levels on a puff per puff basis. This setup also allows us to screen the aerosol and gas phase for potential toxicants present. We also looked at cannabinoid consumed, how those compare between joints and vapes, and how those levels change over the lifecycle of a product.
In this talk we will present our findings from our latest vape and joint experiment and answer the longstanding question: Which part of a joint is the best to smoke? Are kief-rolled joints better? And will an oil-infused joint get you higher?

1. Hot Topics and Hotboxing: Latest Research on Cannabis Inhalation Dr. Korey Bedard, The University of British Columbia Dr. Markus Roggen , Controlled Chemistry ACS Fall 2024, Denver

2. Summary Introductions Joints are on Fire Meet KARL Smoking Research so far Initial Research into Infused Joints What’s Next?

3. Who are We? Controlled Chemistry is a research venture that seeks to add fundamental scientific insight to the field of cannabis production. We focus on cannabis chemistry at the intersection of academic and industry questions, with the support of staff and resources at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver: Process Design Process Optimization Process Analytics Formulation Research

4. Who is Korey Bedard ? Academic Upbringing: 2012-Present HBSc . in Biochemistry : Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada PhD. in Chemistry (Organic) : Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada with Dr. Tomáš Hudlický MITACS Postdoctoral Fellowship : The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada with Dr. Glenn Sammis , collaborating with: Dr. Marco Ciufolini , NanoVation Therapeutics Dr. Anthony Phillips, Resilience BioSciences Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) LinkedIn

5. Who is Markus Roggen ? Academic Upbringing: 2004 to 2014 M/Sci in Chemistry : Imperial College (IC), London, UK PhD in Organic Chemistry : Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, CH with Prof. Dr. Erick Carreira PostDoc in Physical Organic Chemistry : The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), San Diego, USA with Prof. Dr. Donna Blackmond Now into Drugs (Cannabis): 2014 to present CSO of analytical laboratory, VP of Extraction and Production, Founder/CEO/CSO of R&D laboratory LinkedIn

6. Following the Smoke Signs R&D inspired by what the consumer wants.

7. Joints are on Fire Pre-Rolls sales USA: 3 rd after Flower, Vapor Pens CAN: 2 nd after Flower Sales growth vastly outperforming other products Most popular subsegments: ‘Hybrid - Single Strain’ ‘Connoisseur/Infused’ Demographics of Pre-Rolls: Wide appeal to different consumer groups Slight preference among women Headset

8. Pre-Rolls are Lighting Up Headset’s report on Pre-Rolls: “Massive success” 3rd in USA, 2nd in CAN

9. Joints are on Fire Overachievers: ‘Connoisseur/Infused’ Growth! 6 % of market share, early 2022 35 % by August 2023 Mixed Strain

10. Joints are on Fire

11. The Joint is lit, but we are still in the Dark Overview of current cannabis smoking research

12. K annabis A erosol R esearch L aboratory © 2011-2023 by MJBiz , a division of Emerald X, LLC Meet KARL

13. Experimental KARL’s job is to smoke joints.

14. Aerosol Sample Generation Using a Smoke Cycle Simulator (SCS) from Cambustion Aerosols from three puffs collected on glass microfiber filters Three smoking “zones” of the joint: beginning, middle, and end

15. Aerosol Sample Collection Using a Smoke Cycle Simulator Aerosols from three puffs collected on glass microfiber filters Volatile compounds, i.e. terpenes and toxicants caught in impinger

16. Chemical Properties of a Joint Average smoke temp.: 44˚C (111˚F) (lit.) THC boiling point: 155-157˚C at 0.05 mmHg Myrcene boiling point: 167˚C at 1 atm Humulene boiling point: 106˚C at 5 mmHg Full decarboxylation of THCA observed DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0173

17. Inconsistent THC Delivery THC inhalation builds throughout consumption Highest delivery at end of a joint’s lifecycle Captured by impinger, per section DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0123 1/3 2/3 3/3

18. Smoke Signs On-line puff-by-puff analysis of smoke constituents Direct injection into qTOF Samples from Germany, mixed with tobacco 83% consumer cannabis together with tobacco 1.7% use vaporizers

19. Effect of Particle Size on THC Delivery Fine grind: More THC per puff Coarse grind: More THC per Pre-Roll Highest delivery at end of a joint Article

20. Infused: Same, but Different We wanted to investigate how Infused Pre-Rolls stack up: R&D samples for various types 1 g Standard (Flower-only) 1 g with Kief 1 g with Distillate More in upcoming paper

21. Infused: Same, but Different Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! Kief-containing: 160% THC Distillate-containing: 340% THC

22. Infused: Same, but Different Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! Kief-containing: 160% THC Distillate-containing: 340% THC There is a problem!!! Infused Pre-Rolls CoA Kief 108% THC Distillate 155% THC

23. Infused: Same, but Different Extraction Efficiency! Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! Kief-containing: 160% THC Distillate-containing: 340% THC There is a problem!!! Infused Pre-Rolls CoA Kief 108% THC Distillate 155% THC

24. Infused: Same, but Different Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! But not on a per-puff basis! Infused Pre-Rolls burn slower

25. Infused: Same, but Different Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! But not on a per-puff basis! Infused Pre-Rolls burn slower Tobacco research: Oils have higher energy density Modifies combustion characteristics Infusion -> superior heat absorption & retention Increased viscosity -> slower, more controlled burn

26. Infused: Same, but Different Infused Pre-Rolls deliver! More THC (~3.4x) More Terpenes (>4x) More flavor Different flavors Consumer preference

27. Toxicants of Cannabis Smoke & Vape Based on work by Prof. Strongin and others, we know: Cannabis smoke extract leads to inflamed lung fibroblasts, in vitro THC and terpenes degrade to including isoprene, 2-methyl-2-butene, 3-methylcrotonaldehyde, and 3-methyl-1-butene Other compounds of concern: methacrolein, benzene, butyraldehyde Cannabis joints emit fewer carbonyls per puff than tobacco cigarettes So many to choose from… DOIs: 10.1089/can.2020.0039, 10.3389/fphar.2022.852029, 10.1021/acsomega.7b01130, 10.1039/d1ra00934f

28. Infused & Toxicants: It’s Complicated We focus on: Aniline Styrene 3-Methoxycatechol 4-Formylbenzonitrile

29. Infused & Toxicants: It’s Complicated What happens in Distillate Pre-Rolls: Aniline: Same Styrene 3-methoxycatechol 4-formylbenzonitrile

30. Infused & Toxicants: It’s Complicated What happens in Distillate Pre-Rolls: Aniline: Same Styrene: More 3-methoxycatechol: More 4-formylbenzonitrile

31. Infused & Toxicants: It’s Complicated What happens in Distillate Pre-Rolls: Aniline: Same Styrene: More 3-methoxycatechol: More 4-formylbenzonitrile: Less

32. Let’s talk about Puff Profiles Cigarettes: FTC method in 1967, ISO 3308 standard in 1980s, but: Doesn’t accurately reflect real-life smoking U nderestimates real-life exposures due to individual variations & compensation behaviors DOIs: 10.1007/s00213-011-2480-4, 10.1089/can.2017.0024

33. Let’s talk about Puff Profiles Cigarettes: FTC method in 1967, ISO 3308 standard in 1980s, but: Doesn’t accurately reflect real-life smoking U nderestimates real-life exposures due to individual variations & compensation behaviors We use a method modified from a Health Canada 2014 method, but: Self-reported doses not reliable (overestimate) Greater intensity in initial puffs (larger volumes, longer durations) S teady decline in intensity over subsequent puffs DOIs: 10.1007/s00213-011-2480-4, 10.1089/can.2017.0024

34. Thank you very much! Questions? Dr. Markus Roggen [email protected]