Hashish seizures in Algeria over the 2019–2020 period: The rise of potent hashish hybrids

Abstract

In Algeria, hashish is by far the most common illicit drug. This study explores Algerian hashish over a two‐year period (2019–2020). A total of 2583 hashish samples from 1707 seizures for a total quantity of 108 tons were analyzed using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection method (HPLC–DAD). The yearly arithmetic mean tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration shows relative stability—18.67% in 2019 and 19.03% in 2020 with an overall mean THC content of 18.87% and standard deviation of 10.99%. High‐potency hashish (THC content > 20%) is by far the most predominant type, representing almost 50% of the total Algerian hashish seizures (mean and median around 29%). The overall mean of cannabidiol (CBD) was 2.45%, and 12% of the total studied seizures were of very low CBD concentration (CBD content<1%). Three distinct hashish chemotypes were identified: Chemotype I described the traditional Moroccan hashish with THC content ranging from 0% to 16%, Chemotype II hashish included most of the seizures and characterized by THC content ranging from 16% to 30%, and Chemotype III was characterized by hashish potency higher than 30% and very low CBD content. The identified chemotypes I, II, and III were characterized in a ternary plot, and the relative contents (THC:CBD:CBN) were about 67%:29%:4%, 88%:9%:3%, and 96%:2%:2%, respectively.

Progress in the analysis of phytocannabinoids by HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) during 2020–2023

“…Since the publication of the review article 2 on the application of HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) methods in the analysis of phytocannabinoids covering the period of 2010–2019, several publications have appeared in the literature on this topic 12–185 . All these publications highlight the importance of HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) techniques as well as showcase remarkable advancements in sensitivity and versatility associated with these techniques in relation to phytocannabinoid analysis 12 .…”

“…A large volume of HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) methods that have been reported for the analysis of cannabinoids in C. sativa L. plant samples 13–94 and cannabis consumer products, for example, hashish, marijuana, and cannabis oils, 95–137 since 2020 are presented in Tables 1 and 2 and discussed in the following subsections.…”

“…These consumer products include smoking products, for example, hashish and marijuana, cannabidiol oil, cannabis oil, cannabis olive oil, infusions and liquids, tinctures, cannabis food products, and cannabis‐containing cosmeceuticals (Table 2). 95–137 In the HPLC and UPLC (or UHPLC) methods, the use of PDA or MS detection technologies has become routine for the analysis of these consumer products 2 . The use of HPLC as opposed to UPLC (or UHPLC) has remained the method of choice during 2020–2023, but the use of UPLC (or UHPLC) has increased considerably over the last few years (Table 2).…”

“…(THC + CBN)/CBD ratio revealed two hashish chemotypes: The traditional one (chemotype II) included most of the studied samples and could be characterized by the THC:CBD:CBN proportions of about 60:35:5, whereas chemotype I included all hashish samples that possessed high THC and low CBD content, characterized by THC:CBD:CBN proportions of about 85:13:2. An identical HPLC‐DAD study was also conducted in the following year, which identified CBD ( 5 ) and Δ 9 ‐THC ( 14 ) in seized hashish samples 96 …”