Simultaneous identification and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids (cannabimimetics) in serum, hair, and urine by rapid and sensitive HPLC tandem mass spectrometry screenings: overview and experience from routine testing

Detection and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids (synonym: cannabimimetics) used as a substitute for natural cannabis has been a real toxicological and forensic issue since 2008. On the basis of a short overview of the pharmacological principle, chemical classification, and legal situation in Germany, the development of several analytical and screening approaches is presented. The paper further describes and validates a novel method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of JWH-018, JWH-019, JWH-073, JWH-081, JWH-122, JWH-200, JWH-210, JWH-250, WIN48,098, WIN55,212-2, AM-694 and CP47,497 by means of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in human serum and hair using JWH-018-d