Distribution of ∆(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-Nor-9-Carboxy-∆(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid in Postmortem Biological Fluids and Tissues From Pilots Fatally Injured in Aviation Accidents.
Little is known of the postmortem distribution of ∆(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its major metabolite, 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH). Data from 55 pilots involved in fatal aviation accidents are presented in this study. Gas chromatographymass spectrometry analysis obtained mean THC concentrations in blood from multiple sites, liver, lung, and kidney of 15.6 ngmL, 92.4 ngg, 766.0 ngg, 44.1 ngg and mean THCCOOH concentrations of 35.9 ngmL, 322.4 ngg, 42.6 ngg, 138.5 ngg, respectively. Heart THC concentrations (two cases) were 184.4 and 759.3 ngg, and corresponding THCCOOH measured 11.0 and 95.9 ngg, respectively. Muscle concentrations for THC (two cases) were 16.6 and 2.5 ngg corresponding THCCOOH, confirmed positive and 1.4 ngg. The only brain tested in this study showed no THC detected and 2.9 ngg THCCOOH, low concentrations that correlated with low values in other specimens from this case. This research emphasizes the need for postmortem cannabinoid testing and demonstrates the usefulness of a number of tissues, most notably lung, for these analyses.