The significance of detecting tetrahydrocannabinol in food and beverages is to protect the health and safety of consumers and prevent the potential harm of illegal additives to the human body. Cannabinoid compounds, especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have multiple effects such as analgesia, anti-vomiting, and anti-tumor, but their abuse may lead to mental dependence and health problems. Therefore, detecting the THC content in food and beverages is crucial to ensure food safety.

‌ The methods for detecting tetrahydrocannabinol in food and beverages mainly include the following:

• Liquid chromatography: Although widely used, it has low selectivity, high detection limit, and complex pretreatment, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
• Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: High selectivity, suitable for rapid detection of low-content samples, and often used in food detection.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Suitable for the analysis of complex matrix samples, with high sensitivity and accuracy.
• POD model combined with SERS technology ‌: This is an emerging technology that enhances the detection signal through surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and combines POD model for quantitative analysis, which is fast and sensitive.