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