Cannabinoid Analysis in Cannabis and Hemp by Gas Chromatography

Introduction

Cannabinoid analysis is essential for understanding the potency and composition of cannabis and hemp products. Each strain contains a distinct mix of cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBN, which influence both the effects and the legal classification of the product.

Accurate profiling helps producers verify label claims, demonstrate regulatory compliance, and monitor product consistency over time. It also supports research and development by providing reliable data on how cultivation, extraction, and formulation processes affect the final product.

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The Challenge

Getting meaningful cannabinoid data isn’t as simple as it sounds

Cannabis contains dozens of cannabinoids with different concentrations depending on strain, growing conditions, and processing methods. Even small variations can affect product potency and how it’s perceived by consumers.

Producers and labs need to know exactly how much of each cannabinoid is present, not just to meet legal limits, but to ensure consistency and trust in their products. Yet the complex chemical makeup of cannabis makes analysis challenging. Cannabinoids vary in volatility and can overlap with other compounds in the matrix, leading to inaccurate results if methods aren’t well controlled.

Inaccurate or incomplete profiling can result in mislabelled products, failed compliance tests, and inconsistent user experience. A precise, validated method is essential for both research and routine quality control.

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The Solution

GC-FID provides accurate, repeatable cannabinoid profiling

Gas chromatography (GC) offers a reliable way to separate and quantify cannabinoids with high precision. Using a Flame Ionisation Detector (FID), the Ellutia 200 Series GC can detect key cannabinoids across a wide concentration range — from low-level traces to high-potency extracts.

A simple liquid injection setup, combined with an EL3000A autosampler, allows consistent and efficient analysis of multiple samples in sequence. The system’s compact design and low running cost make it ideal for laboratories introducing in-house testing for cannabis and hemp products.

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With the right column and method, GC provides detailed cannabinoid profiles that reflect true potency. These profiles help producers standardise production, verify compliance, and develop new products with greater confidence.

If you’d like an overview of how GC fits into cannabis testing workflows, take a look at the Cannabis Testing Buyers Guide.

Method Overview

How cannabinoid profiling is performed using gas chromatography

Once the GC system is configured, the process of analysing cannabinoids is straightforward. A liquid sample of cannabis extract, oil, or concentrate is prepared and injected into the system. Calibration standards are run first to create a reference curve for key cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBN. The GC then measures each compound in the sample against this curve to calculate its concentration.

Because cannabinoids have a wide range of molecular weights and volatilities, a liquid injection method is preferred over headspace. It ensures all components are equally represented in the sample. Using hydrogen as the carrier gas and an EL-5 column provides fast, stable separation with clean, well-defined peaks.

For routine testing, an autosampler such as the EL3000A can automate sample injection, improving repeatability and freeing up operator time.

Typical GC Conditions

Injector temperature: 270 °C
Detector: FID
Detector temperature: 280 °C
Carrier gas: Hydrogen
Constant pressure: 9.3 psi
Split flow: 70 ml/min
Column: EL-5 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm

LC vs GC for Acidic and Neutral Cannabinoid Testing

Learn how gas chromatography can measure both acidic and neutral cannabinoids using a simple derivatisation step. This video explains the key differences between LC and GC approaches, how GC achieves total cannabinoid measurement, and what makes it a practical option for in-house testing.

Results and Reliability

What the analysis shows

Using the Ellutia 200 Series GC with FID, cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBN are clearly detected with strong peak resolution and minimal noise. Example chromatograms show stable baselines and excellent reproducibility across multiple runs.

This setup provides dependable potency and profiling data suitable for research, product development, and routine production testing. The results confirm that GC-FID delivers the precision and consistency required for modern cannabis analysis.

Curious how this could work in your own lab?

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Get the full method and results

If you’d like to see the full details behind this testing method, you can download the complete application note. It includes chromatograms, calibration data, and the exact conditions used for the analysis. It’s a handy reference if you want to check your own setup or compare results.

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