Study: Portable, Low-Cost Electrochemical Test Accurately Detects THC and CBD in Cannabis

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

February 18, 2026

A study in Talanta describes a portable, low-cost electrochemical test using unmodified carbon screen-printed electrodes and square wave voltammetry to simultaneously detect and quantify THC and CBD in cannabis. Conducted in strongly alkaline conditions, it identifies distinct oxidation processes—THC shows one irreversible peak, while CBD exhibits five (including reduction/oxidation)—enabling clear differentiation without electrode modifications or expensive equipment. Detection limits are 0.09 μmol L⁻¹ for THC and 2.72 μmol L⁻¹ for CBD, with high precision (RSD <5.6% for currents, <2.0% for potentials). Validation on 35 seized samples and seven consumer products showed strong agreement with GC-MS, near-100% recovery in addition experiments, and effective detection of semi-synthetics like Δ8-THC, Δ8-THC acetate, and HHC without interference. Unlike lab-based chromatography requiring specialized tools and staff, this rapid, field-deployable method suits quality control, law enforcement, and high-throughput screening for accurate cannabinoid analysis in products and seized materials. Researchers from Brazilian universities highlight its practicality as an alternative to traditional techniques.