Scheme 1 : hydroxylation and oxidation of THC metabolic route
On the other hand, CBD gets metabolized by isozymes CYP2C19 and CYP3A4
through hydroxylation to 7-hydroxy cannabidiol (7-OH-CBD) which is
further metabolized and ultimately excreted through faecal and
urine.56
During removal process, the half-life elimination period for THC and CBD
vary depending on how long it takes for equilibrium to be attained
between blood and lipid storage compartment
duration.54 Accordingly, heavy cannabis users exhibit
a fairly longer THC elimination half-life of about 22 hours because of
slowed redistribution rates from deeper fatty acid compartment
tissues.54, 57 Similarly, CBD has long elimination
half-life of about 34 hours once inhaled.58