Cannabis and natural cannabinoids: focus on legislative, clinical and laboratory medicine aspects - |[Cannabis e cannabinoidi naturali: focus su aspetti legislativi, clinici e di medicina di laboratorio]

The use of Cannabis and its derivatives is increasingly at the center of intense political debates related to regulation or prohibition. Beyond the political or ideological debates, a scientifically based information policy is however necessary to understand the differences between Cannabis used for recreational purposes, light Cannabis that can be legally sold, and Cannabis administered for therapeutic purposes, with a special focus to the analytical methods that can be utilized to differentiate the different types of Cannabis. Regarding the different properties, considered that the differentiation between the various types of Cannabis, (recreational, light or medical) is essential for legal purposes, the role played by the analytical toxicology laboratories is crucial. A number of studies with light and medical Cannabis have illustrated the possible use of Cannabidiol (CBD) as a possible biomarker to identify the type of Cannabis, since CBD is predominant in light Cannabis; the ratio of CBD to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the only cannabinoid with psychotropic effects, has been suggested to be of particular relevance. This review aims to analyze the current legislative, medical and laboratory medicine aspects connected to Cannabis in Italy, by focusing on the legislation currently in force and on the role of the toxicology laboratory in differentiating the different types of Cannabis.