Screening of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Preserved Oral Fluid by UPLC–MS/MS

BACKGROUND: The abuse of a rapidly changing range of synthetic cannabinoids is increasing worldwide. Oral fluid, which contains the parent compounds and is easily collected, could be a good alternative medium for drug screening for synthetic cannabinoids. RESULTS: A method for screening of 18 synthetic cannabinoids in preserved oral fluid collected with the Intercept® collection device, using UPLC-MS/MS, was validated. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.2 to 2 ng/ml in oral fluid. In several real cases, AM-2201 and/or JWH-018 were found. CONCLUSION: The presented method allowed rapid and sensitive screening of synthetic cannabinoids in preserved oral fluid collected with the Intercept collection device.