Cannabinoid residuals in tissues of lambs fed spent hemp biomass and consumer's exposure assessment

Abstract

Spent hemp biomass (SHB) contains trace amounts of cannabinoids, including Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), that may accumulate in the tissues of animals consuming SHB. We measured cannabinoid residues in the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle of finishing lambs fed either 10% or 20% SHB for 8 weeks, or 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks SHB withdrawal. We detected multiple cannabinoids in the liver at a similar proportion to the SHB. However, CBD and Δ⁹-THC were enriched >20-fold in the adipose and muscle, compared to their proportion in SHB. The highest concentration of Δ⁹-THC was detected in adipose tissue and was 7.4-times higher than in muscle. Most cannabinoids were undetectable in tissues after 4 weeks of clearance. The consumers’ exposure assessment on Δ⁹-THC revealed tissue levels of total THC (THCA+Δ⁹-THC) that exceed the acute reference dose of 1 μg/kg BW across population groups. When consuming meat from the lambs fed 10% and 20% SHB, the maximum total THC exposure was 2.03 and 7.32 μg/kg BW, respectively, equal to or below the Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level of 36 μg/kg BW, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level of 12 μg/kg BW or a tolerable dose intake of 7 μg/kg BW.