What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: THC, CBD.

Where was this research published?

Published in Forensic science international on August 20, 2026.

Italian testing finds hidden cannabinoids in legal cannabis products

Q: What did this research study find?

**92.3% of the products were mislabelled**, indicating that product labels may not reliably describe the cannabinoid content of legal cannabis products.

Forensic profiling of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in legal cannabis products in Italy.

Forensic science international • August 20, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

Researchers analyzed 26 low-Δ9-THC cannabis products bought from Italian websites, including flowers, vape liquids, and resins. Every product contained CBD and Δ9-THC, with median levels of 7.8% and 0.4%, respectively. The testing also found several semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSCs), most often H4CBD, followed by Δ9-THCP and Δ8-THCP. Synthetic cannabinoids were detected in four products, including EDMB-4en-PINACA in three.

The most significant consumer-safety finding was that 92.3% of products were mislabelled. The authors say these products have substantial chemical complexity and that improved testing, standardized laboratory methods, and ongoing market surveillance are needed. For consumers, the results suggest that a product advertised as low-THC or containing CBD may also contain unexpected or poorly characterized cannabinoids.

💡 Key Findings

92.3% of the products were mislabelled, indicating that product labels may not reliably describe the cannabinoid content of legal cannabis products.

Good

75%

Every tested product contained CBD and Δ9-THC, with median concentrations of 7.8% CBD and 0.4% Δ9-THC.

Good

75%

H4CBD was the most frequently detected semi-synthetic cannabinoid, followed by Δ9-THCP and Δ8-THCP.

Good

70%

Synthetic cannabinoids were detected in 4 products, including EDMB-4en-PINACA in 3 cases, highlighting possible risks from unexpected compounds.

Good

70%

The authors conclude that improved analytical methods, standardized testing, and continued market surveillance are needed to address the evolving cannabinoid-product market.

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

Semi-synthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) have recently emerged on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market, alongside the availability of cannabidiol (CBD)-enriched products with low-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). SSCs are typically produced by chemical modification of CBD and Δ9-THC, unlike synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), and pose additional challenges for forensic toxicology and public health. The aim of the present study is to provide empirical data on the presence and approximate amounts of SSCs and SCs in low-Δ9-THC products, available online from Italian websites. Twenty-six products, including cannabis flowers, vape-liquids and resins, were purchased between September 2024 and January 2026. Products were analyzed at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Bologna, Italy, by gas chromatrography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), providing quantitative percentages of Δ9-THC, CBD and approximate amounts of SSCs or SCs. All samples contained CBD (median 7.8%) and Δ9-THC (median 0.4%), including 2 samples with Δ9-THC > 0.6%. H4CBD was the most frequently detected SSC (23.1% of all samples), followed by Δ9-THCP (19.2%) and Δ8-THCP (15.4%). SCs were detected in 4 products, consisting of EDMB-4en-PINACA in 3 cases (11.5% of samples). HRMS enabled confirmation of SSCs when approximated GC-MS amounts exceeded 0.25%. Overall, 92.3% of products were mislabelled. Our results highlight the chemical complexity and widespread mislabelling of legal cannabinoid products circulating on the Italian market. A coordinated response, including improved analytical methods, standardized testing and continued market surveillance, is needed to properly respond to the evolving landscape of SCs and SSCs in consumer products.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Forensic science international
Published: August 20, 2026
PMID: 42641241
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.113114

Authors (8)

Arianna Giorgetti Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
Cristian Caprari Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, Modena, 41125, Italy.
Guido Pelletti Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna, 40126, Italy. Electronic address: guido.pelletti2@unibo.it.
Francesca Rossi Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
Benedikt Pulver Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 9, Freiburg, 79104, Germany.
+3 more authors