Methods for purifying trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol and trans-(+)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol

摘要

Methods for making trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol and trans-(+)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol composition is prepared by allowing a composition comprising (±)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol to separate on a chiral stationary phase to provide a trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol composition comprising at least about 99% by weight of trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol based on the total amount of trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol and trans-(+)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The invention also relates to methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a trans-(−)-&Dgr;9-tetrahydrocannabinol having a purity of at least about 98% based on the total weight of cannabinoids.