What is HHC?
Cannabinoids are natural chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. You might have heard of the most common ones: THC (which causes the “high” from cannabis), CBD (often used for relaxation or wellness), and, to a lesser extent, CBN.
These compounds work by interacting with specific receptors in your brain and body, which is how they produce their effects. So THC, for example, is responsible for most of the psychoactive effects, or the “high,” that people associate with cannabis.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis, and the one we’re focusing on here is called hexahydrocannabinol (HHC).
HHC does occur naturally, but it’s usually made in a lab from CBD extracted from hemp or low-THC cannabis. According to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), HHC first appeared on the US drug market in late 2021 and was spotted in Europe a year later.
It has since been classified as a “new psychoactive substance” (NPS) by the EU Early Warning System. And right now, there isn’t much reliable scientific information about the effects and safety of HHC. However, some people who’ve tried it say it produces a high similar to cannabis or THC.
How Does HHC Differ from THC and CBD?
HHC is very chemically similar to THC. And although the pharmacological and behavioural effects of HHC in humans have not been studied, it is reported to have a broadly similar effect to THC. Laboratory studies carried out in vitro (or outside a living organism) and in several animal species also suggest similar effects to THC.
CBD, on the other hand, does not have psychoactive effects. It’s meant to have calming effects, and there is evidence to suggest it may have medicinal benefits for a range of conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and addiction to certain substances. There is currently no research suggesting that HHC may have similar medical benefits.
Effects and Potential Benefits of HHC Vapes
There has (so far) been little to no scientific research on the effects of HHC. Anecdotal reports suggest it has a similar effect to THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, although these effects may be less intense than with THC.
The few studies that do exist found that HHC showed the effects of the typical cannabinoid on the central nervous system, with lower potency than THC.
Is HHC Legal?
HHC has been known for decades, but its recent use as an isolated cannabinoid raises questions about its legal status in the UK. Currently, there are no specific laws in the UK that directly address HHC. However, HHC products, including vapes, are not legally available in the UK due to existing legislation.
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 broadly defines and regulates psychoactive substances, even those not explicitly named in the law.
This legislation was introduced to combat the production of “legal highs,” where underground chemists altered the structures of banned substances to create new ones with similar effects.
So, under this act, producing, supplying, offering to provide, possessing with intent to supply, importing, or exporting psychoactive substances is illegal, with penalties of up to seven years in prison. However, simple possession of a psychoactive substance is not an offence under this law.
The legal status of HHC is, therefore, very unclear. So, possession of HHC alone may not be illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act; any product containing HHC that also includes a banned cannabinoid, such as THC, would likely be classified as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.