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- Title
Stable Isotope Ratios of Marijuana. I. Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotopes Describe Growth Conditions.
- Authors
West, Jason B.; Hurley, Janet M.; Ehleringer, James R.
- Abstract
There remains significant uncertainty in illicit marijuana cultivation. We analyzed the δ13C and δ15N of 508 domestic samples from known U.S.A. counties, 31 seized from a single location, 5 samples grown in Mexico and Colombia, and 10 northwest border seizures. For a subset, inflorescences and leaves were analyzed separately. These data revealed a strong correspondence, with inflorescences having slightly higher δ13C and δ15N values than leaves. A framework for interpreting these results is introduced and evaluated. Samples identified as outdoor-grown by δ13C were generally recorded as such by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA-classified indoor-grown samples had the most negative δ13C values, consistent with indoor cultivation, although many were also in the outdoor-grown domain. δ15N indicated a wide range of fertilizers across the dataset. Samples seized at the single location suggested multiple sources. Northwest border δ13C values suggested indoor growth, whereas for the Mexican and Colombian samples they indicated outdoor growth.
- Subjects
UNITED States; FORENSIC sciences; INVESTIGATIONS; MARIJUANA; INFLORESCENCES; LEAVES; PLANT chemical analysis; UNITED States. Drug Enforcement Administration
- Publication
Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2009, Vol 54, Issue 1, p84
- ISSN
0022-1198
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00909.x