Direct analysis of cannabis samples by desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry.
Fast analysis of cannabis samples without prior sample preparation or chromatography was performed using desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry (DAPPI-MS). The MS(2) spectra of the molecular ions of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) formed in DAPPI-MS showed distinct product ions, unlike the protonated molecules formed with other ambient mass spectrometry techniques, making possible the reliable identification of THC from cannabis samples.