WO2023015378A1 - Stabilization of cannabis resin and solid oral cannabinoid formulations - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition comprising at least one antioxidant, at least one oxygen scavenger, and at least one co-surfactant for use as a stabilizer composition. Preferred compositions comprise butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxy anisole, or sodium metabisulphite; ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbic acid; and Vitamin E TPGS or caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8-glyceride in a ratio of 0.5:2:5. The compositions can be used to stabilize cannabinoids for the production of immediate release or controlled release formulations.

Description

STABILIZATION OF CANNABIS RESIN AND SOLID ORAL CANNABINOID FORMULATIONS

[001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more natural or synthetic cannabinoids, one or more stabilizing agent(s) and optionally one or more additional pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s). The invention also relates to immediate and modified release pharmaceutical compositions comprising cannabinoids and a process for preparation thereof. The invention also relates to production of industrial-scale batches of stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising cannabinoids and a process for preparation thereof.

[003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[004] Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors on cells that repress neurotransmitter release in the brain. The most notable cannabinoid is the Phyto-cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another major constituent of the plant.

[005] Cannabis sativa contains over 421 different chemical compounds, including over 85 cannabinoids. Cannabinoid plant chemistry is more complex than that of pure THC, and different effects are the result of the presence of these additional cannabinoids and other chemicals. Eighteen different classes of chemicals, including nitrogenous compounds, amino acids, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, terpenes, and simple and fatty acids, contribute to the known pharmacological and toxicological properties of cannabis. THC is usually present in Cannabis plant material as a mixture of monocarboxylic acids, which readily and efficiently decarboxylate upon heating. See Huestis, Chem Biodiverse. 2007 August; 4(8): 1770-1804.

[006] There are at least 85 different cannabinoids isolated from cannabis, exhibiting varied effects. From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Tetrahydrocannabinol accessed 7/12/2021. All or any of these cannabinoids can be used in the present invention.

[007] Synthetic cannabinoids encompass a variety of distinct chemical classes: the cannabinoids structurally related to THC, the cannabinoids not related to THC, such as (cannabimimetic) including the aminoalkylindoles, 1,5-diarylpyrazoles, quinolines, and aryl sulfonamides, and eicosanoids related to the endocannabinoids. All or any of these cannabinoids can be used in the present invention.

[008] Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol) is a naturally occurring compound and is the primary active ingredient in marijuana. Marijuana is dried hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. The leaves and stems of the plant contain cannabinoid compounds (including dronabinol). Dronabinol has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the control of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and for appetite stimulation of patients suffering from wasting syndrome. Synthetic dronabinol is a recognized pharmaceutically active ingredient, but natural botanical sources of cannabis rather than synthetic THC are also known in the art. All or any of these cannabinoids can be used in the present invention.

[009] Dronabinol is a light-yellow resinous oil that is sticky at room temperature and hardens upon refrigeration. Dronabinol is insoluble in water and is formulated in sesame oil. It has a pKa of 10.6 and an octanol-water partition coefficient: 6,000:1 at pH 7. After oral administration, dronabinol has an onset of action of approximately 0.5 to 1 hours and peak effect at 2 to 4 hours. Duration of action for psychoactive effects is 4 to 6 hours, but the appetite stimulant effect of dronabinol may continue for 24 hours or longer after administration.

[0010] Dronabinol is the international nonproprietary name for a pure isomer of THC, (-)-trans- A⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main isomer, and the principal psychoactive constituent, found in cannabis. Synthesized dronabinol is marketed as Marinol® (a registered trademark of Solvay Pharmaceuticals).

[0011] Marinol® is manufactured as a gelatin capsule containing synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in sesame oil. It is taken orally and is available in 2.5mg, 5mg and/or 10mg dosages. Marinol® is prescribed for the treatment of cachexia in patients with AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments. Like other oils provided in gelatin dosage forms there is an urgent need for solid (powder and tablet) dosage forms of this drug as provided in the instant invention.

[0012] Despite FDA approval, it is almost universally accepted that medical marijuana has many benefits over Marinol® and that by prohibiting the possession and use of natural cannabis and its cannabinoids, patients are unnecessarily restricted to use a synthetic substitute that lacks much of the therapeutic efficacy of natural cannabis. Sativex, is considered an improvement over Marinol®. Sativex is an oral cannabis spray consisting of natural cannabinoid extracts, has greater bioavailability and is faster acting than oral synthetic THC. Of course, oral sprays have numerous problems as a dosage form and Sativex has not been widely adopted as a replacement for medical marijuana. Why Marinol Is Not As Good As Real Marijuana Posted by Johnny Green on March 5, 2012 - see http://www.theweedblog.com/why-marinol-is-not-as-good-as-real-marijuana/ accessed 7 12 2021. This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0013] Marinol lacks several of the therapeutic compounds available in natural cannabis. Chemical compounds in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, are responsible for its numerous therapeutic benefits. Scientists have identified 66 naturally occurring cannabinoids. The active ingredient in Marinol, synthetic delta-9-tetrahyrdocannabinol (THC), is an analogue of one such compound, THC. However, several other cannabinoids available in cannabis — in addition to naturally occurring terpenoids (oils) and flavonoids (phenols) — have also been clinically demonstrated to possess therapeutic utility. Many patients favor natural cannabis to Marinol because it includes these other therapeutically active cannabinoids. Why Marinol Is Not As Good As Real Marijuana Posted by Johnny Green on March 5, 2012 - see http://www.theweedblog.com/why-marinol-is-not-as-good-as-real-marijuana/ accessed 9 182016.

[0014] Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has been clinically demonstrated to have analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-nausea, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. Clinical studies have shown CBD to possess anti-convulsant properties, particularly in the treatment of epilepsy. Natural extracts of CBD, when administered in combination with THC, significantly reduce pain, spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients unresponsive to standard treatment medications. CBD has been shown to be neuroprotective against glutamate neurotoxicity (i.e. stroke), cerebral infarction (localized cell death in the brain), and ethanol-induced neurotoxicity, with CBD being more protective against glutamate neurotoxicity than either ascorbate (vitamin C) or alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). Clinical trials have also shown CBD to possess anti-tumoral properties, inhibiting the growth of glioma (brain tumor) cells in a dose dependent manner and selectively inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in malignant cells Why Marinol Is Not As Good As Real Marijuana Posted by Johnny Green on March 5, 2012 - see http://www.theweedblog.com/why-marinol-is-not-as-good-as-real-marijuana/ accessed 7 12 2021. Dosage formulations of CBD and other natural cannabinoids can also be formulated into solid dosage forms according to the present invention.

[0015] Additional cannabinoids possessing clinically demonstrated therapeutic properties include: cannabinol (anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory activity); Cannabichromene (anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activity); and Cannabigerol (anti-tumoral and analgesic activity). Natural cannabis’ essential oil components (terpenoids) exhibit antiinflammatory properties and its flavonoids possess antioxidant activity. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that cannabinoids may slow disease progression in certain autoimmune and neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and Huntington’s Disease. Why Marinol Is Not As Good As Real Marijuana Posted by Johnny Green on March 5, 2012 - see http://www.theweedblog.com/why-marinol-is-not-as-good-as-real-marijuana/ accessed 7 12 2021. Dosage formulations of these cannabinoids can be formulated into solid dosage forms according to the present invention.

[0016] Oral ingestion of Marinol® avoids the potential risks of smoking, however because of synthetic THC’s poor bioavailability, only 5-20 percent of an oral dose ever reaches the bloodstream and the drug may not achieve peak effect until four hours after dosing. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine. 1999. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. p. 203; L. Growing et al. 1998. Therapeutic use of cannabis: clarifying the debate. Drug and Alcohol Review. This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0017] Moreover, because Marinol® is metabolized slowly, its therapeutic and psychoactive effects may be unpredictable and vary considerably, both from one person to another, and in the same person from one episode of use to another. S. Calhoun et al. 1998. Abuse potential of dronabinol. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 30: 187-196; J. Morgan and L. Zimmer, Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence, p. 19. This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, there is a need for improved bioavailability dosage forms of natural and synthetic cannabinoids.

[0018] As a result of Marinol’s slow onset and poor bioavailability, scientists have developed a formulation of pulmonary dronabinol, delivered with a pressurized metered dose inhaler. Medical News Today. “New synthetic delta-9-THC Inhaler offers safe, rapid delivery, Phase I study.” April 17, 2005. Unlike oral synthetic THC, it’s possible that pulmonary Marinol “could offer an alternative for patients when a fast onset of action is desirable.” Sativex, an oral cannabis spray consisting of natural cannabinoid extracts, has greater bioavailability and is faster acting than oral synthetic THC. Clinical trials comparing its bioavailability and time of peak onset compared to vaporized cannabis have not been performed, though anecdotal reports indicate that vaporized cannabis and its cannabinoids likely possess greater bioavailability and are faster acting than the Sativex spray. Thus, there is a need for improved bioavailability, simple, inexpensive solid dosage forms of natural and synthetic cannabinoids.

[0019] In order to isolate compounds such as THC or CBD into a pure and viscous oil ready for formulating into a powder multiple layers of refinement are required. THC as well as other cannabinoids and terpenes are first separated from the cannabis plant via hydrocarbon or CO2 solvent-based extraction techniques. This process removes the cannabinoid compounds from the plant while many fats, lipids, and other compounds remain. Next “winterization”, (a solvent such as ethanol is used in order to remove undesirable compounds) is used.

[0020] Next cannabinoids are decarboxylated: the compounds are heated enough to convert the acid forms of THC and CBD into the neutral forms (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

[0021] Finally, the material can be further purified through a steam distillation or rational distillation chamber in a series of multiple passes to purify the desirable compound (typically THC or CBD) to its isolated state.

[0022] Molecules such as THC and CBD have higher varying boiling points. Distillation uses vacuum pressure, steam, and heat to manipulate boiling points so that compounds are subjected to cooler temperatures when they pass through. Depending on the distillation process, these volatile compounds can either be fractioned individually or simultaneously for collection.

[0023] Through this process, volatile compounds are separated by their molecular weight and individual boiling point, leaving fewer volatile impurities behind. A distillate may be passed through this process multiple times to create an even more pure substance.

[0024] US 6,403,126 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) discloses methods of extracting and purifying cannabinoids from Cannabis using organic solvent. [0025] DE 100 51 427 C1 describes a CBD-containing primary extract by means of CO2 extraction from cannabis fibre hemp with use of supercritical or subcritical pressure and temperature conditions.

[0026] WO 00/25127A1 discloses vacuum distillation of THC.

[0027] US20180282250A1 discloses methods for extracting cannabidiol from cannabis plant material using vacuum distillation.

[0028] EP1051084B1 describes steam distillation from hemp.

[0029] US 20120231083 discloses a sustained release medicament which results in delivery of a therapeutic level of one or more cannabinoids during a clinically relevant therapeutic window. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.) The therapeutic window is a longer window than provided by an immediate release medicament such as Marinol containing an equivalent amount of the cannabinoid. Oral administration of the present compositions provides therapeutic dosing while maintaining safe, side effect sparing, levels of a cannabinoid. The present invention also provides methods of treating cannabinoid-sensitive disorders.

[0030] US 20060257463 discloses a method of transmucosally delivering a cannabinoid to a subject in need of such treatment comprising the steps of: administering to the subject a transmucosal preparation containing the cannabinoid wherein said transmucosal preparation is made by incorporating an effective amount of the cannabinoid via hot-melt extrusion technology, hot-melt molding, admixing or a solvent cast technique into a film matrix or a reservoir containing the cannabinoid, and attaching said transmucosal preparation to the mucosa of the subject. This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0031] Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the cannabinoid active pharmaceutical ingredient, crystalline trans-(±)-A9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and formulations thereof are disclosed in WO 2006133941. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.) 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 crystalline trans-(±)-A9-tetrahydrocannabinol. In specific embodiments, the crystalline trans-(±)-A9-tetrahydrocannabinol administered according to the methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain can have a purity of at least about 98% based on the total weight of cannabinoids.

[0032] US 20140100269 A1 discloses oral cannabinoid formulations, including an aqueousbased oral dronabinol solution, that are stable at room or refrigerated temperatures and may possess improved in vivo absorption profiles with faster onset and lower intersubject variability. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0033] US 8632825 discloses the use of a combination of cannabinoids, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of cancer. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0034] US 6630507 discloses that cannabinoids have antioxidant properties. This property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.) The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention.

[0035] US 8808734 discloses stable, fast-acting liposomal and micelle formulations of cannabinoids or cannabinoid analogues. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0036] W0201502312A1 discloses lipid formulations of cannabinoids.

[0037] US 6747058 discloses stable composition for inhalation therapy comprising delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol and semi-aqueous solvents. (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0038] US 2017/0202895 A1 discloses a cannabis composition in pellet form, a method of preparing a cannabis composition in pellet form, a method of separating a plant resin from a harvested plant material, a method of treatment with a cannabis composition in pellet form, and a kit including a cannabis composition in pellet form are provided. The cannabis composition in pellet form may include a cannabinoid resin. The cannabinoid resin may include one or more of: a tetrahydrocannabinol extract and a cannabidiol extract.

[0039] US 10638778 B2 discloses a method for producing powderized cannabis oil, and the resulting powderized cannabis oil, in which concentrated cannabis oil is mixed with and absorbed by a modified starch powder, preferably maltodextrin, in a ratio of at least three grams of starch powder for every one-eighth of a gram of cannabis oil is disclosed.

[0040] US 2017/0157041 A1 discloses an orally dissolvable cannabis tablet that includes one or more active cannabis-based chemical constituents and one or more inactive constituents. The active cannabis-based chemical constituents include at least one of cannabinoids or terpenoids.

[0041] US 9,937,147 B2 discloses a composition of an edible base product, the composition comprising a cannabis concentrate containing at least one cannabinoid, a starch concentrate containing tapioca maltodextrin, a rice concentrate, and a lipid concentrate containing lecithin. The method of producing the composition comprises sheering the ingredients at a proper temperature in a dry environment. Preferably, the rice concentrates act as a natural desiccate and silicate and also an anti-caking agent. The lecithin is added to the powdered cannabis concentrate to enhance the absorption of THC into the blood stream of the individuals.

[0042] US 10,064,905 B1 discloses pharmaceutical preparations include at least one component that enhances sexual response and at least one other compound that enhances sexual sensitivity and pleasure. The component that enhances sexual response enhances blood flow to the genital region. Examples include compounds that dilate blood vessels, such as compounds that increase the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in the blood. The component that enhances sexual sensitivity and pleasure includes one or more cannabinoid compounds from the plant genus Cannabis. Examples include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of Cannabis, and cannabidiol (CBD), which is less or non-psychoactive and modulates THC activity. The ratio of THC/CBD can be selected depending on age, gender, physical health, and/or psychological condition of the user.

[0043] WO/2019/126872A1 discloses solid formulations comprising decarboxylated cannabis resin. The disclosure provides rapidly disintegrating sublingual tablet formulations comprising decarboxylated cannabis resin, and methods for making and using same. The product contains mannitol, polar solvents, organic solvents, etc.

[0044] W02016/029215 A1 discloses a natural oro-dispersible tablet containing CBD and THC and other natural cannabinoids and natural active ingredients which is rapidly dissolved in the mouth and is absorbed intravenously by a rapid mucoadhesive buccal application through the buccal mucosa. It is preferably oval with an evenly distributed active mixture and is directly compressed. It is intended especially for the relief and treatment of symptoms in immunological, carcinogenic, neurological, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. It can also be used for other diseases and as a support for the treatment of endocrine disorders.

[0045] DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION OF DRONABINOL FROM FDA DOCUMENT NDA 18-651/S-021; 500012 Rev Sep 2004 (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.):

1. Appetite Stimulation: Initially, 2.5 mg Dronabinol Capsules should be administered orally twice daily (b.i.d.), before lunch and supper. For patients unable to tolerate this 5 mg/day dosage, the dosage can be reduced to 2.5 mg/day, administered as a single dose in the evening or at bedtime. If clinically indicated and in the absence of significant adverse effects, the dosage may be gradually increased to a maximum of 20 mg/day, administered in divided oral doses. Caution should be exercised in escalating the dosage because of the increased frequency of dose-related adverse experiences at higher dosages.

2. Antiemetic: Best administered at an initial dose of 5 mg/m2, given 1 to 3 hours prior to the administration of chemotherapy, then every 2 to 4 hours after chemotherapy is given, for a total of 4 to 6 doses/day. Should the 5 mg/m2 dose prove to be ineffective, and in the absence of significant side effects, the dose may be escalated by 2.5 mg/m2 increments to a maximum of 15 mg/m2 per dose. Caution should be exercised in dose escalation, however, as the incidence of disturbing psychiatric symptoms increases significantly at maximum dose.

[0046] Despite all of the work on cannabinoids and dronabinol, there is a need in the art for simple, inexpensive, improved dosage forms that have an improved profile with faster onset and improved release profiles with lower inter-subject variability than currently available cannabinoid products.

[0047] Existing formulations of cannabinoids do not solve the basic obstacles to commercially feasibility, which are only solved by the instant invention. The problems include but are not limited to: issues with formulating large scale stable compositions of CBD and THC; the lack of satisfactory methods of processing distillate into powder form; failure to adequately stabilize CBD or THC against oxidative degradation; the failure to prevent rancidity of the lipid components of the THC and CBD distillate; thermal degradation of both CBD and THC during processing; and the prevention of microbial growth in the formulation. [0048] Commercially available pharmaceutical cannabinoids include Nabilone and Dronabinol. Synthetic THC used in Dronabinol as well as the natural THC obtained from the plant, is a resinous sticky oil that hardens on refrigeration. THC undergoes degradation through several mechanisms and handling of the resinous form is very difficult from a formulation point of view. Dronabinol is thus formulated as a sesame oil solution of THC and is supplied in a soft-gelatin capsule. Nabilone, on the other hand, is a synthetic THC derivative that is crystalline in nature and is thus filled into a hard gelatin capsule. Punyamurthula et al., Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2016; 42(7): 1158-1164.

[0049] The oily and resinous nature of cannabis extracts render it difficult to manufacture it into a fine powder for tablet manufacturing which is further complicated by the instability of THC in the solid state. Additionally, the amorphous state of THC is also susceptible to oxidative degradation due to a lack of defined crystal lattice structure which facilitates electron transfer to oxygen.

[0050] THC decomposes when exposed to air, heat, or light; exposure to acid can oxidize the compound to cannabinol (CBN), a much less-potent cannabinoid. Cannabinol (CBN) is the primary nonenzymatic oxidation by-product of THC and is most commonly an artifact found after prolonged storage, especially at higher temperatures. CBN was the first cannabinoid to be identified and isolated from cannabis (Wood, Spivey, & Easter field, 1899). This discovery was most likely due to rampant degradation of THC to CBN due to poor quality control, the transportation and storage conditions related to the time but these challenges are still difficult to overcome in existing cannabis products (Upton et al., 2013).

[0051] Extraction of cannabis creates additional polyhydroxylated cannabinoids including (+/-) 9,10-dihydroxy-delta6a (10a)-tetrahydrocannabinol and (+/-)8,9-dihydroxy-delta6a(10a)- tetrahydrocannabinol which were isolated from cannabis extracted with hexanes (a very common extraction method for insoluble drugs. See, for example, M A Elsohly, 1978 Sep 15;34(9): 1127-8. These impurities are a major problem in the manufacture of cannabis dosage forms as virtually all such formulations start with extracts. Certain embodiments of the methods and compositions of this invention prevent or reduce this conversion.

[0052] There is usually little CBN in a fresh plant. However, if cannabis s exposed to air, heat or ultraviolet light (for example, in sunlight) for a period of time, THCA will convert to Cannabinolic acid (CBNA). CBN is then formed by decarboxylation of CBNA. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinol accessed July 31, 2021. [0053] In the 1970s and 1980s there were almost no marketed drugs with less than 10 pg/ml solubility (10-100 pg/ml was considered low) (Solid Dispersions: New Approaches and Technologies in Oral Drug Delivery, Controlled Release Society; Rutgers, NJ 02 June 2009 Craig A. McKelvey Merck & Co., Inc. hereinafter “McKelvey”). (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.) Now it is estimated that more than 60% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) in development have poor bioavailability due to low aqueous solubility (WO 2013040187 citing Manufacturing chemist, March 2010, 24-25). (This reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0054] Munjal et al, (Polymeric systems for amorphous 59-tetrahydrocannabinol produced by a hot-melt method. Part ii: Effect of oxidation mechanisms and chemical interactions on stability. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences 2006, 95(11): 2473-2485) reviewed the instability of THC in nature and that its primary degradant is CBN. These authors examined numerous factors that cause instability and outlined the degradation pathway for THC to become CBN. However, the authors failed to disclose the true extent of the problem facing drug formulators in that they failed to address the problem associated with stability of THC when formulated with commonly used tablet excipients, especially tablet excipients which carry even trace quantities of peroxides such as Povidone, Crospovidone, Polyethylene oxide, Carbomers etc. The traces of peroxides lead to oxidation of THC and degradation.

[0055] The failure of this degradation pathway to explain the full decrease in THC lead Munjal et al, to examine additional by-products such as the formation of epoxy and hydroxylated intermediates 9, 10-dihydroxy-A6a (10a)-THC (racemic mixture) and 8, 9-dihydroxy-A6a (10a)-THC (racemic mixture). It is pointed out that these and other polymeric forms of THC and/or CBN cannot be detected by usual chromatographic methods and so are difficult to detect in an industrial setting. This problem is present in all THC blended with various known tableting excipients. Embodiments of the present invention prevent degradation through this pathway and the formation of these difficult to detect impurities.

[0056] The Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) is a framework for classifying a drug substance on the basis of its equilibrium aqueous solubility and intestinal permeability (Jain et al. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 5, Suppl 4, 2012, 15-19 hereinafter “Jain”; this reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.) When combined with the in vitro dissolution characteristics of a drug product, the BCS takes into account three major factors: solubility, intestinal permeability and dissolution rate. These factors govern the rate and extent of oral drug absorption for immediate release solid oral dosage forms. The BCS defines four classes of drug substances based on their solubility and permeability characteristics.

[0057] A drug substance is considered highly soluble when the highest dose strength is soluble in 250 ml water over a pH range of 1 to 7.5. A drug is considered highly permeable when the extent of absorption in humans is determined to be 90% of an administered dose, based on the mass balance or in comparison to an intravenous dose (drug and metabolite). A drug product is considered to dissolve rapidly when 85% of the labeled amount of substance dissolves within 30 minutes, using USP apparatus I or II in a volume of 900 ml buffer solution. (Gothoskar A.V. Biopharmaceutical classification of drugs. Pharm Rev. 2005; 3:1; this reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.)

[0058] For BCS Class II drugs that have low bioavailability resulting from poor solubility and the inability to dissolve rapidly the selection of formulation is often a major hurdle preventing the development of a successful oral drug product. Certain technologies have recently been developed to aid in the formulation of these drugs including: salt formation, size reduction, co-solvency, pH manipulation, surfactant and micelle use, inclusion complexes, lipid formulations, and solid dispersions. Jain et al. Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 5, Suppl 4, 2012, 15-19).

[0059] According to the “Intra-Agency Agreement Between the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oral Formulations Platform — Report 1” dronabinol is a class 2 or class 4 drug with low solubility and unknown permeability. Thus, it may be formulated in the same manner as a class 2 drug.

[0060] Absorption and distribution: Dronabinol capsules are almost completely absorbed (90 to 95%) after single oral doses. Due to the combined effects of first pass hepatic metabolism only 10 to 20% of the administered dose reaches the systemic circulation. FDA document NDA 18-651 /S-021.

[0061] Development of a dosage form depends on chemical nature of the drug and polymers, the matrix structure, swelling, diffusion, erosion, the release mechanism and the in vivo environment.

[0062] Hydrophilic polymers like HPMC may also control drug release by erosion mechanisms. After consumption of the dosage form, the Gl tract fluid encounters the dosage unit, causing the polymer to hydrate and swell. Weakened mechanical properties in the swollen state may cause the hydrated polymer to break away from the prime particle (compact or pellet). Drug release may therefore be controlled by a combination of diffusion and erosion. Such release mechanisms can apply to systems where drug is dispersed in or coated with polymer.

[0063] Another method of dealing with poorly soluble drugs is to employ emulsions. Emulsions are formed by mixing two immiscible liquids (in the case of drugs usually water and oil) stabilized by an emulsifying agent. Self-emulsification is thought to take place when (as a result of) the entropy change favoring dispersion is greater than the energy required to increase the surface area of the dispersion. The free energy of the emulsion is a function of the energy required to create a new surface between the oil and water phases.

[0064] When an emulsion is formed surface area expansion is created between the two phases. The emulsion is stabilized by the surfactant molecules that form a film around the internal phase droplet. In emulsion formation, the excess surface free energy is dependent on the droplet size and the interfacial tension. If the emulsion is not stabilized using surfactants, the two phases will separate reducing the interfacial tension and the free energy. [Journal of Pharmacy and Alternative Medicine ISSN 2222-4807 (Online) Vol 1, 2012 Basics of Self Micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Barkat Ali Khan*1 , Satar Bakhshl , Haroon Khan2, Tariq Mahmood3, Akhtar Rasul], Barkat

[0065] Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (“SEDDS”) including self-micro-emulsifying drug delivery systems (“SMEDDS”) are mixtures of natural or synthetic oils, solid or liquid surfactants, or alternatively, one or more hydrophilic solvents and co- solvents/surfactants that have the ability to form oil-in-water emulsions upon mild agitation followed by dilution in aqueous media, such as Gl fluids. The digestive motility of the stomach and the intestine provides the agitation necessary for self-emulsification.

[0066] To date, there are still numerous limitations to SEDDS and SMEDDS, for example, they require high surfactant concentrations in formulations (approximately 30-60%) which may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. They include chemically unstable drugs that tend to precipitate, and the volatile co-solvents in the self-micro emulsifying formulations are known to migrate into the shells of soft or hard gelatin capsules, resulting in the precipitation of the lipophilic drugs. In one example, the SMEDDS showed around 50% degradation after only 30 days (AAPS Pharm.Sci.Tech. 2009 June; 10(2): 482-487. SMEDDS of Glyburide: Formulation, In Vitro Evaluation, and Stability Studies. Yogeshwar G. Bachhav and Vandana B. Patravale). Further, these systems are hard to develop and tend to be expensive. Such systems are only been useful for immediate release dosage forms, useful, extended-release dosage forms have not been regularly achieved.

[0067] SMEDDS generally must be given as a liquid and so oral formulations are often formulated as soft gels, for example: Neoral and Sandimmune; Norvir; Fortase; and Convulex. The present invention represents a considerable advance over such formulations.

[0068] Water insoluble polymers can be used in extended drug release formulations. These include methacrylate- or acrylate-based polymers with low permeability.

[0069] Hydrophilic functional groups such as trimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate can improve permeability and swell ability in water thus altering release behaviors.

[0070] Various drug candidates such as diltiazem HCI, carbamazepine, metoprolol, oxprenolol, nifedipine, glipizide have been formulated as osmotic delivery systems. Problems with such osmotic delivery systems include the need for special equipment for making an orifice in the system; residence time of the system in the body varies with the gastric motility and food intake; such systems may cause irritation or ulcer due to release of saturated solutions of drug. Vol. 1 No. 72012. Online Available at www.thepharmajournal.com. THE PHARMA INNOVATION Vol. 1 No. 72012 www.thepharmajournal.com Page | 116 Osmotic-Controlled Release Oral Delivery System: An Advanced Oral Delivery Form. Nitika Ahuja, Vikash Kumar, Parminder Rathee.

[0071] In general, the most desirable oral dosage form is a tablet, and it would be advantageous if a cannabinoid containing tablet could be made available which does not suffer from the problems of expense and the need for smoking or “edible” dosage forms. None of the documents described above enable cannabinoid tablets with all of the desired properties. There is a need for new cheap and stable dosage formulations, especially tablets, comprising an effective dose of cannabinoids or derivatives thereof. There is also a need for a stable cannabinoid powder.

[0072] Another aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition in the form of a tablet for oral administration comprising cannabinoid wherein said tablet is preferably formed from a pharmaceutically or even nutraceutically acceptable powder.

[0073] By “nutraceutical” is meant a composition that provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Dietary supplements and natural health products are examples of nutraceuticals. In many places natural cannabinoids are considered nutraceuticals. Within the context of this invention, it is understood that the term “drug” is used generically to include prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical products as well as nutraceuticals including dietary supplements, natural health products, medicinal foods, drinks, candy bars with active ingredients and all other similar delivery methods whether approved or unapproved.

[0074] Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical tablet as hereinbefore described for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of all of the disorders that medical marijuana and dronabinol is used for at the present time.

[0075] As used herein, the term “drug” includes not only pharmaceuticals but also natural medicines, alternative medicines, and dietary supplements and generally refers to all forms of cannabinoids.

[0076] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0077] In certain embodiments, this invention provides for the stabilization of cannabis resin in the presence of pharmaceutical excipients. The solid oral dosage form prepared using embodiments of the invention, such as tablets, capsules, powder, granules are stable and free from the problem of conversion of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol into cannabinol. This invention also prevents the conversion of THC into racemic mixtures of polymeric cannabinoids such as 9, 10-dihydroxy-delta 6a(10a) THC which are difficult to detect impurities.

[0078] The formulations of cannabinoids of the present invention represent a significant improvement in chemical stability of cannabinoids in dosage forms, and in particular, formulations that prevent conversion of THC and CBD into CBN due to oxidative degradation of both cannabinoids.

[0079] In embodiments of the present invention the following solutions are disclosed:

(a) Formulating a stable composition of CBD, THC and other major and minor cannabinoids;

(b) Processing distillate, resin, shatter, or butane hash oil into powder form;

(c) Stabilization of CBD, THC and other major and minor cannabinoids against oxidative degradation;

(d) Prevention of rancidity of lipid component of THC, CBD distillate other major and minor cannabinoids;

(e) Thermal degradation of both CBD, THC other major and minor cannabinoids during processing;

(f) Preventing of microbial growth in formulation; and (g) Reducing the mass of required excipients to achieve more potent tablets.

(h) Accurately dosing and stable composition

[0080] Certain embodiments of the present invention involve a novel method for stabilizing cannabinoids in pellets and subsequently into tablets.

[0081] Embodiments of this invention provide a unique combination of surfactant, co-surfactant and co-solvent to achieve a self micro emulsifying drug delivery system that can accommodate THC or other cannabinoids to form a micro emulsion in contact with body fluid systems. This system ensures that THC is delivered well into human body and to keep stability of the THC in this dosage form by incorporation of suitable antioxidants such as Ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbic acid and an oxygen scavenger such as butylated hydroxy anisole and butylated hydroxy toluene. Another oxygen scavenger useful in the present invention can be sodium metabisulphite. In certain embodiments the specific ratio is of to prevent oxidation and dehydration reaction that leads to formation of two racemic mixture of THC and ultimately turns into CBN.

[0082] Previous lipid formulations described in the art are particularly limited because the lipid complex developed requires 92% of lipidic sustained release excipients, allowing only 8% cannabinoid which is not useful for making higher dosage forms of cannabinoids such as 50 mg or 100 mg. As demonstrated in the formulations described in the examples, embodiments of the present invention can easily accommodate 50mg, 100mg or more cannabinoids in tablet form.

[0083] The methods of the instant invention are surprisingly simple in order to meet the requirements of standard commercial manufacturing equipment and scale. The yield is about 99% and process is repeatable and easily scalable.

[0084] Although SMEDDS formulations have numerous advantages, there are certain limitations associated with past embodiments of these systems including: drug precipitation on dilution requiring incorporation of polymers to minimize drug precipitation in vivo; the usual requirement for encapsulation in soft gelatin capsules which are associated with high manufacturing costs, consumer preference against animal gelatin; volatile co-solvents in self micro emulsifying formulations are known to migrate into the shells of soft or hard gelatin capsules, resulting in the precipitation of the lipophilic drugs; liquid SMEDDS exhibit problems in handling, storage and stability; lipid excipients containing unsaturated fatty acids and its derivatives are prone to lipid oxidation (Wasylaschuk et al., 2007) requiring inclusion of lipid soluble antioxidants in capsule formulations (Bowtie, 2007). [0085] Embodiments of the present invention overcome the SMEDDS problems discussed by formulating stabilized SMEDDS into tablets where precipitate of drug, gastric irritation, oxidation and polymorphism of THC and CBD are solved.

[0086] Cannabinoids are sensitive to heat, humidity, oxidation, acidic and basic conditions and the recommended microenvironmental pH is between 6.5 to 7.0. The compositions of the instant invention are able to maintain required microenvironmental pH at 6.5.

[0087] As discussed above, THC oxidizes and degrades in typical powdering and tableting operations and in typical dosage forms. Typical degradation is to a level of 40-50% w/w within a period of 3 months. The addition of antioxidants like ascorbyl palmitate or any tocopherol failed to prevent oxidation.

[0088] According to specific embodiments of the instant invention, these degradation and oxidation issues are solved using a combination comprising: a) butylated hydroxy toluene (“BHT”) or butylated hydroxy anisole (“BHA”) or sodium metabisulphite; b) ascorbyl palmitate; and c) D-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Vitamin E TPGS) or ascorbic acid.

[0089] In certain embodiments the ratio of the three components is 0.5: 2: 5. In certain embodiments the ratio between BHT or BHA or sodium metabisulphite and ascorbyl palmitate is 1: 4. similarly in certain embodiments the ratio between BHT or BHA or sodium metabisulphite and d-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Vitamin E TPGS) or ascorbic acid is 1 :10. These ratios are especially important in embodiments delivering THC where embodiments with variations in the ratios were not as stable.

[0090] Dissolution of solid SMEDD-containing tablets according to certain embodiments of the invention show that more than 85% of cannabinoid is released within 45 minutes from immediate release tablets and more than 85% of cannabinoid is released from sustained release tablets within 12h.

[0091] The present invention provides deceptively simple formulations which provide a sophisticated and surprising solution to the problem of formulating immediate and modified release versions of cannabinoids involving a few simple ingredients combined in an extremely inventive and unique way.

[0092] Cannabinoid Extract Resin

[0093] The cannabinoid extracts of the present invention can be extracted and formulated to provide a number of sustained release combinations useful in the present invention. Of particular interest are 100 percent THC tablets, 100% CBD tablets, 10:1 THC/CBD, 1:10 THC/CBD, and 50:50 THC/CBD although other variations of sustained release granules and tablets may be desirable in specific situations.

[0094] Cyclodextrins

[0095] Cyclodextrins (sometimes called cycloamyloses) are a family of compounds made up of sugar molecules bound together in a ring (cyclic oligosaccharides).

[0096] Cyclodextrins are produced from starch by means of enzymatic conversion. They are used in food [Szente, L., & Szejtli, J. (2004). Cyclodextrins as food ingredients. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 15(3-4), 137-142], pharmaceutical, [Stella, V., & He, Q. (2008). Cyclodextrins. Toxicologic Pathology, 36(1), 30-42] drug delivery, [Laza-Knoerr, A. L., Gref, R., & Couvreur, P. (2010). Cyclodextrins for drug delivery. Journal of Drug Targeting, 18(9), 645-656.] and chemical industries, as well as agriculture and environmental engineering.

[0097] Cyclodextrins are composed of 5 or more a-D-glucopyranoside units linked 1 ->4, as in amylose (a fragment of starch). The 5-membered macrocycle is not natural. Recently, the largest well-characterized cyclodextrin contains 32 1,4-anhydroglucopyranoside units, while as a poorly characterized mixture, at least 150-membered cyclic oligosaccharides are also known. Typical cyclodextrins contain a number of glucose monomers ranging from six to eight units in a ring, creating a cone shape:

1. a (alpha)-cyclodextrin: 6-membered sugar ring molecule

2. p (beta)-cyclodextrin: 7-membered sugar ring molecule

3. y (gamma)-cyclodextrin: 8-membered sugar ring molecule

4. a- and y-cyclodextrin are being used in the food industry.

[0098] Any or all of these cyclodextrins can be employed in the present invention.

[0099] Cyclodextrins are able to form host-guest complexes with hydrophobic molecules given the unique nature imparted by their structure. As a result, these molecules have found a number of applications in a wide range of fields.

[00100] Because cyclodextrins are hydrophobic inside and hydrophilic outside, they can form complexes with hydrophobic compounds. Thus, they can enhance the solubility and bioavailability of such compounds. This is of high interest for pharmaceutical as well as dietary supplement applications in which hydrophobic compounds shall be delivered.

[00101] Cyclodextrins can solubilize hydrophobic drugs in pharmaceutical applications, and crosslink to form polymers used for drug delivery. [Laza-Knoerr, A. L., Gref, R., & Couvreur, P. (2010). Cyclodextrins for drug delivery. Journal of Drug Targeting, 18(9), 645-656. One example is Sugammadex, a modified y-cyclodextrin which reverses neuromuscular blockade by binding the drug rocuronium. Other than the above- mentioned pharmaceutical applications, cyclodextrins can be employed in environmental protection: these molecules can effectively immobilize inside their ring’s toxic compounds, like trichloroethane or heavy metals, or can form complexes with stable substances, like trichlorfon (an organophosphorus insecticide) or sewage sludge, enhancing their decomposition.

[00102] Typical cyclodextrins are constituted by 6-8 glucopyranoside units, can be topologically represented as toroids with the larger and the smaller openings of the toroid exposing to the solvent secondary and primary hydroxyl groups respectively. Because of this arrangement, the interior of the toroids is not hydrophobic, but considerably less hydrophilic than the aqueous environment and thus able to host other hydrophobic molecules. In contrast, the exterior is sufficiently hydrophilic to impart cyclodextrins (or their complexes) water solubility.

[00103] a-Cyclodextrin has been authorized for use as a dietary fiber in the European Union since 2008. In 2013 the EU commission has verified a health claim for alphacyclodextrin. The EU assessment report confirms that consumption of alpha-cyclodextrin can reduce blood sugar peaks following a high-starch meal. Weight loss supplements are marketed from alpha-cyclodextrin which claim to bind to fat and be an alternative to other anti-obesity medications.

[00104] Vitamin E TPGS is a non-toxic multi-role excipient used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. [Y. Guo et al. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 49 (2013) 175-186.] Vitamin E TPGS has been shown to improve the bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs by acting as an absorption and permeability enhancer. As a water-soluble compound, Vitamin E TPGS can be used to dissolve lipophilic and other insoluble ingredients. Vitamin E TPGS is used in the instant invention as an antioxidant, absorbent, surfactant, and bioavailability enhancer.

[00105] Vitamin E TPGS’s function as an anti-oxidant is particularly useful in cannabis formulations such as the ones described herein, as natural sources of cannabis are very susceptible to oxidation, which is a process that decreases its therapeutic value.

[00106] Vitamin E TPGS has many properties, which includes acting as a P-gp inhibitor, solubilizer/absorption and permeation enhancer in drug delivery and TPGS-related formulations such as nanocrystals, nanosuspensions, tablets/solid dispersions, adjuvant in vaccine systems, nutrition supplement, plasticizer of film, anticancer reagent and so on. The inventors’ studies utilizing Vitamin E TPGS in drug delivery systems (“DDS”) demonstrate that the use of Vitamin E TPGS in DDS aids in preventing oxidation of the THC and/or CBD.

[00107] The biological and physicochemical properties of Vitamin E TPGS provide multiple advantages for its applications in drug delivery like high biocompatibility, enhancement of drug solubility, improvement of drug permeation and selective antitumor activity. Notably, Vitamin E TPGS can inhibit the activity of ATP dependent P-glycoprotein and act as a potent excipient for overcoming multi-drug resistance (MDR) in tumor.

[00108] In each of the following examples cannabinoid isolates may be advantageously substituted for cannabinoid resin.

[00109] One advantage of cannabinoid isolates is the ability to isolate the desired cannabinoid for use in pharmaceutical compositions, such as those which form the instant invention.

[00110] An advantage of using cannabinoid isolates instead of cannabinoid resin is that cannabinoid isolates that are pure CBD, or nearly pure CBD, can be formed. Cannabinoid isolates comprising 100% CBD, or nearly 100% CBD, can be formed by a process which removes THC and other cannabinoids from a plant extract, cannabinoid resin, or other cannabinoid extract.

[00111] Therefore, cannabinoid isolates can be used in the instant invention to form compositions which are high in CBDs. Cannabinoid isolates which comprise 100% CBD, or nearly 100% CBD, can be utilized to prepare 100% CBD tablets, which are particularly of interest.

[00112] In a preferable example of compositions of the instant invention, the compositions use a cannabinoid isolate which is water soluble.

[00113] Examples

[00114] Example 1 : Tetrahydrocannabinol Film coated Tablets

[00115] Example 2: Formulation of Cannabidiol Tablets

[00116] Example 3: Formulation of Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in 1 : 5 ratios

[00117] Example 4: Extended-release formulation of CBD and THC in ratio of 1 :1

[00118] Example 5: Extended release Tablets of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

[00119] Example 6: Extended-release Tablets of Cannabidiol (CBD)

[00120] Example 7: Extended-release Tablets of Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in 1 : 5 ratios

[00121] Example 8: Formulation Methods

[00122] Embodiments of the formulations according to the examples herein may be prepared as follows:

1. Heat a suitable surfactant (Labrasol® for example) and co-surfactant (Vitamin E TPGS for example) and maintain at a temperature below 65°C to allow the vitamin E TPGS to melt.

2. Add ascorbyl palmitate to the molten material with stirring. After a uniform solution is achieved add butylated hydroxy toluene or butylated hydroxy anisole and continue stirring.

3. Add to solution of step 2, isopropyl alcohol or ethanol or any suitable organic solvent and mix well and allow to cool to room temperature.

4. Melt a THC distillate (or other suitable cannabinoid) and add isopropyl or ethyl alcohol and mix well to get a clear solution.

5. Mix solutions of step 3 and step 4 together using suitable mixer and check clarity to ensure complete cannabis and other components are dissolved.

6. Add Betadex® into a suitable container fitted with mechanical stirrer and add purified water and mix well for 30-45min and under stirring condition, add the THC solution until a uniform kneaded mass is formed.

7. To the Betadex solution, add above made cannabis solution under stirring condition to allow formation of a complex and adjust the speed of mixer accordingly to ensure complete complex formation and if required add additional ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to assist to complete complexation of cannabis oil with Betadex. This complex is used for granulation as a binder.

8. Add silicified microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose to a high shear granulator and mix well for 5-10 minutes.

9. Complex of Betadex and cannabis oil obtained in Step 7 are used as a granulating solution to granulate the mixture of silicified microcrystalline cellulose and hypromellose in a high shear granulator.

10. To the mixture of silicified microcrystalline cellulose and hypromellose, add to the Betadex-THC complex for granulation to form a uniform granulated mass. 11. The uniform granulated mass can be used to make immediate release or modified release tablets or capsules or other useful dosage forms.

[00123] Example 9: Formulation Methods for Immediate Release Dosage Forms

1. Add the uniform granulated THC/CBD mass from Example 11 to an extruder followed by a spheronizer to make pellets. Load the pellets into a dryer at 55°C until the LOD is reduced to below 2.0%.

2. The dried pellets should be analysed for potency of cannabinoids at this point.

3. Load dried pellets into a fluid bed processor and coat with a hypromellose solution to achieve coated pellets with an immediate release dissolution profile.

4. Either compress the coated pellets to form tablets or load into capsules.

[00124] Example 10: Formulation Method for Controlled Release Dosage Forms

1. Add the uniform granulated THC mass from Example 11 to an extruder followed by a spheronizer to make pellets. Load the pellets into a dryer at 55°C until the LOD is reduced to below 2.0%.

2. The dried pellets should be analysed for potency of cannabinoids at this point.

3. Load dried pellets into a fluid bed processor and coat with a rate controlling polymer solution to achieve coated pellets with a controlled release dissolution profile.

4. Either compress the coated pellets to form tablets or load into capsules.

[00125] Example 11 : Formulation Method for Controlled Release Dosage Forms

1. Dry the wet uniform granulated THC mass from Example 11 at 55°C until the LOD is reduced to below 2.0%.

2. The dried pellets should be analysed for potency of cannabinoids at this point.

3. Dried pellets can be loaded into a V blender and blended with rate controlling and other functional excipients or non-functional excipients including polymers.

4. Either compress the coated pellets to form tablets or load into capsules. Tablets may be coated with an aqueous dispersion of functional and/or non-functional polymer to modulate release.

5. Coated tablets are free from degradation of THC.

[00126] Example 12: Evaluating the Stability of Dosage Forms According to the Invention. [00127] Various formulations of THC tablets were made and tested using the preceding methods with Vitamin E TPGs alone, Ascorbyl Palmitate alone, and combinations of the two. Formulations with both vitamin E TPGs and ascorbyl palmitate show stability for approximately 30 days with only a 5% potency reduction. However, this degradations continues at a rate of approximately 5% each month and by the end of six months as much as 45% of the potency was lost. As discussed above, this was a result of the degradation pathway outlined by Munjal et al and the the formation of epoxy and hydroxylated intermediates 9, 10-dihydroxy-A6a (10a)-THC (racemic mixture) and 8, 9- dihydroxy-A6a (10a)-THC (racemic mixture). These metabolites were analyzed in samples by LC. The addition of a third stabilizer - butylated hydroxy toluene stopped this degradation pathway completely with no degradation seen in our formulations even after 6 months.

[00128] As will be immediately apparent to the skilled artisan after reading the present disclosure, some of the steps may be carried out simultaneously or in a different order, such variations form part of the present invention. In the foregoing examples cannabinoid isolates, distillates and extracts may be substituted for cannabinoid resin.

[00129] All publications mentioned above are hereby specifically incorporated herein by reference in full for the teachings for which they are cited. The examples and claims of the present invention are not limiting. Having read the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to the description without substantially deviating from the invention described herein. Such modifications, substitutions and variations constitute part of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one cannabinoid, at least one antioxidant, and at least one oxygen scavenger and at least one co-surfactant.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one antioxidant comprises ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbic acid.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the at least one oxygen scavenger comprises butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxy anisole or sodium metabisulphite.

4. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one co-surfactant comprises vitamin E TPGS.

5. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one co-surfactant comprises caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8- glyceride or any other suitable surfactant with an HLB value ranging from 9-24.

6. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the oxygen scavenger, antioxidant, and co-surfactant are present in a ratio of about 0.5 to 2 to 5.

7. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the oxygen scavenger and antioxidant are present in a ratio of about 1 to 4.

8. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the oxygen scavenger and cosurfactant are present in a ratio of about 1 to 10.

9. A Stabilizer composition comprising: a. butylated hydroxy toluene or butylated hydroxy anisole or sodium metabisulphite; b. Ascorbyl palmitate; and c. D-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Vitamin E TPGS) or ascorbic acid.

10. The Stabilizer composition of claim 9 wherein the a. butylated hydroxy toluene or butylated hydroxy anisole or sodium metabisulphite; b. Ascorbyl palmitate; and c. D-a-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Vitamin E TPGS) or ascorbic acid are present in a ratio of about .5 to 2 to 5.

28 An immediate release formulation comprising the stabilized composition according to any of the preceding claims. A controlled release formulation comprising the stabilized composition according to of claims 9 to 11 . A powder comprising the stabilized composition according to of claims 9 to 12. Pellets comprising the stabilized composition according to of claims 9 to 12. A method of stabilizing cannabinoids comprising:

(a) heating a surfactant and co-surfactant at a temperature below 65°C to allow the cosurfactant to melt;

(b) adding an antioxidant to the molten material with stirring to form a uniform solution;

(c) adding an oxygen scavenger with stirring;

(d) melting a cannabinoid;

(e) adding isopropyl or ethyl alcohol to the melted cannabinoid with mixing to get a clear solution;

(f) mixing the cannabinoid solution and surfactant/co-surfactant/antioxidant solutions to create a stabilized cannabinoid solution; and

(g) complexing with cyclodextrin.