Keywords
cannabinoids
recreational use
tetrahydro-cannabinol
analysis of products containing cannabinoids
regulatory framework
analytical methods
How to Cite
Abstract
The article is devoted to the issues of improving the methodological support of forensic examination of objects from plants of the genus Cannabis, processed products and various products based on them, which are used for recreational use and are the subject of illegal circulation in the territory of Ukraine. A review of significant changes in the legislation on the control and use of plants of the genus Cannabis is carried out, which determined the circumstances and reasons for the need to develop new approaches to the examination of various objects, obtained both in domestic conditions and industrially produced, containing phytocannabinoids, primarily delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, endocannabinoids and their mixtures. The need for regu latory regulation at the interdepartmental level of methodological support for expert support of the investigation of offenses with the specified category of controlled substances is substantiated, in particular, theneed for standardized forensic chemical protocols, increased sensitivity for detecting traces and wider availability of advanced tools in conditions of limited resources. The methodological framework consists ofgeneral theoretical and empirical methods; problem-based, fractal, and result-oriented approaches, which together enabled a comprehensive analysis of the issue and the achievement of the set purpose – justifying the need for a unified approach and developing the corresponding Methodology that combines agreed criteria in accordance with national standards and other documents on the standardization of forensic expertise. The scientific novelty lies in the argumentation of the expediency of regulatory and methodological support for forensic examination of plants of the Cannabis genus and products of their processing. The conclusions propose practical steps for the formation of a unified algorithm for forensic examination of objects containing cannabinoids, which will allow expert institutions of various departments to avoid discrepancies and inaccuracies when conducting forensic examinations of narcotic drugs from plants of the genus Cannabis, and to provide support to law enforcement agencies in investigating numerous types of offenses and evaluating evidence in court.
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