[F1[F23. Determination of THC content U.K.
3.1. Preparation of the test sample U.K.
Stems and seeds over 2 mm in size shall be removed from the dried samples.
The dried samples shall be grinded to obtain a semi-fine powder (passing through a 1 mm mesh sieve).
The powder may be stored for 10 weeks at below 25 °C in a dark, dry place.
3.2. Reagents and extraction solution U.K.
Reagents U.K.
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, pure for chromatographic purposes,
squalane, pure for chromatographic purposes, as an internal standard.
Extraction solution U.K.
35 mg of squalane per 100 ml hexane.
3.3. Extraction of THC U.K.
100 mg of the powdered test sample shall be weighed, be placed in a centrifuge tube and 5 ml of extraction solution shall be added containing the internal standard.
The sample shall be placed in an ultrasound bath and be left for 20 minutes. It shall be centrifuged for 5 minutes at 3 000 r.p.m. and then the supernatant THC solution shall be removed. The solution shall be injected into the chromatograph and a quantitative analysis shall be carried out.
3.4. Gas chromatography U.K.
(a) Apparatus U.K.
gas chromatograph with a flame ionisation detector and a split/splitless injector,
column allowing good separation of cannabinoids, for example a glass capillary column 25 m long and 0,22 mm in diameter impregnated with a 5 % non-polar phenyl-methyl-siloxane phase.
(b) Calibration ranges U.K.
At least three points for procedure A and five points for procedure B, including points 0,04 and 0,50 mg/ml THC in extraction solution.
(c) Experimental conditions U.K.
The following conditions are given as an example for the column referred to in (a):
oven temperature 260 °C,
injector temperature 300 °C,
detector temperature 300 °C.
(d)Volume injected: 1 μl.]]U.K.
Textual Amendments
F1Regulation revoked (E.) (1.1.2024) by The Agriculture (Delinked Payments and Consequential Provisions) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1430), reg. 1(2)(a), Sch. 3 para. 1 Table 1 (with Sch. 3 Pt. 2)
F2Inserted by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1155 of 15 February 2017 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 as regards the control measures relating to the cultivation of hemp, certain provisions on the greening payment, the payment for young farmers in control of a legal person, the calculation of the per unit amount in the framework of voluntary coupled support, the fractions of payment entitlements and certain notification requirements relating to the single area payment scheme and the voluntary coupled support, and amending Annex X to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council.