Human metabolism of the semi‐synthetic cannabinoids hexahydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabiphorol and their acetates using hepatocytes and urine samples

Abstract Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHCP) and their acetates, HHC‐O and HHCP‐O, respectively, are emerging in Europe as alternatives to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic pathways of the semi‐synthetic cannabinoids HHC, HHCP, HHC‐O and HHCP‐O from incubation with human hepatocytes. The metabolites of HHC were also identified in authentic urine samples. HHC, HHCP, HHC‐O and HHCP‐O were incubated with primary human hepatocytes for 1, 3 and 5 h. Authentic urine samples from cases screened positive for cannabis