Determination of Po and Pb in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants and products.

The concentrations of polonium Po and radio-lead Pb in cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants and products now legally available in Poland were determined. Limiting the delivery of radionuclides to the body is an important aspect of civil protection in many countries. Reduction in use and awareness of the risks associated with tobacco and cannabis smoking have a great impact. The Po and Pb concentrations in 44 hemps, 20 hashish and 8 hemp tea samples, as well as in 3 types of cannabis plants (highest parts of mature hemp plant Fenola, Fedora and Futura) were determined. Each of the sample names means a different type and cross of C. sativa L. Being numerous, the are recognized on the market precisely by these names. Effective doses were calculated and compared to the doses of the other combustion products, such as tobacco. In the case of hemp, the highest concentration of Po was found in samples of dried Sweet Carmel (34.7 ± 0.23 mBq·g), while the lowest in the Hemp Berry (0.57 ± 0.23 mBq·g). In the case of Pb, the highest concentration was in Strawberry Kush (2.32 ± 0.05 mBq·g), while the lowest in Strawberry Haze (0.19 ± 0.03 mBq·g). In hashish, the highest and lowest concentrations of Po were in Strawberry Diesel 164 ± 3 mBq·g and in Mango Kush 2.5 ± 0.2 mBq·g. The highest and lowest concentrations in the case of Pb in hashish were in Pollen Hashish 45.1 ± 0.2 mBq·g and in Mango Kush Hashish 0.45 ± 0.05 mBq·g, respectively. These radionuclides did not constitute a radioactive equilibrium (Po/Pb).