This type of product seems to be available for sale today in certain stores in France and Europe. Whether in the form of hash, vaporized flower, candy or vaping products, HHC is now available. In stores that already sell CBD or hemp, HHC is offered for sale without knowing what it is. This makes this article very useful!
What is HHC?
Like THC or CBD, HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a molecule naturally present in cannabis in general, but not specifically in flowers.
HHC is found in trace amounts and almost exclusively in cannabis seeds and male plants.
However, the amount that can be obtained at the end is extremely small compared to the biomass required at the beginning. In other words, it takes a lot of seeds and plants to obtain a small HHC olive, with the help of a large laboratory and particular know-how for this type of extraction.
What are the dangers of HHC?
Research is still emerging on the possible dangers of HHC. But scientists are now aware of the potential problems that could arise from using cannabinoids in a non-medically supervised setting.
Intoxication from cannabinoids such as cannabis can lead to problems such as:
- Reduce your baby's birth weight if you use them during pregnancy
- Increased risk of traffic accidents
- Habitual use can make it difficult to stop (cannabis use disorder), especially in adolescents
- Deleterious effects on relationships and productivity at home, work or school
- Risk of injury in the elderly
- Dizziness when getting up, which increases the risk of losing consciousness and falling
- Increased risk of mental illness in some people
Experts warn against using vaporizers to inhale cannabis and related substances. This is partly due to the evidence of lung damage in people who use these substances using vaping technology, but also because scientists are carrying out more in-depth research.
Even with the drug Epidiolex approved by the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), some people experience side effects, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Signs of liver failure
- Problematic drug interactions
But, of course, these problems are easier to treat with a prescribed and carefully regulated medication like Epidiolex.
This is not the case for most cannabis and cannabinoid products, the vast majority of which are not regulated by the ANSM. This gives manufacturers a lot of latitude in what they can claim from their products.
You may not even know exactly what the product contains. For example, in 2017, scientists carefully examined more than 80 CBD products sold online. They found that more than 40% of them contained more than the active ingredient listed, and about a quarter of the products contained less than what was listed.
Regarding theorigin of HHC found on the market, it is not excluded:
- At best, it can be obtained from CBD cannabis grown by American farmers (THC removed from widely distributed CBD distillates will be recycled into HHC through hydrogenation).
- At worst, it comes from some clandestine chemical companies that already supply other toxic synthetic cannabinoids like Spice or K2.”
Uncertainty about the origin and composition of HHC is a risk that can become serious in vulnerable patients. Furthermore, a clear and precise dosage of the two almost identical HHC molecules appears to be complicated.
As it cannot be excluded that hydrogenation conditions affect the proportion of non-natural HHCs obtained, it is likely that the potential efficacy/toxicity of HHCs varies between individual product batches.
Is HHC Legal?
According to information found on the WEB, hexahydrocannabinol is legal “until proven otherwise”.
And we have just discovered a possible proof. The trick lies in the long list of products and by-products that are classified by law as illegal drugs.
HHC is not listed as a narcotic. Instead, there is a long, long list of synthetic cannabinoids classified since 2015.
And without the help of pharmacologists it is impossible to understand it. In fact, this list is in no way precise, both in its wording and with regard to the products covered.
Ban on HHC in France?
Since Tuesday June 13, 2023, HHC, and two other derivatives (HHCO and HHCP) are marked on the list of narcotics, which makes their production, sale and use illegal.
CBDX, Substitute products?
The cannabis H4CBD is proposed as alternative at HHC for several reasons. First of all, HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol) is a synthetic form of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Although HHC can produce similar effects to THC, it does have some potential drawbacks and risks.
The H4CBD, for its part, is a cannabinoid hybrid which combines the properties of THC and CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is another compound found in cannabis, but unlike THC, it does not have significant psychoactive effects. CBD is often valued for its potential therapeutic properties, including relieving anxiety, inflammation, and pain.
The use of CBDX like substitute at HHC could offer a more balanced for users, reducing unwanted psychoactive effects while maintaining potential therapeutic benefits. This combination of THC and CBD could allow users to feel the beneficial effects cannabis while minimizing the risk of anxiety, paranoia or other adverse effects associated with excessive THC consumption.
However, it is important to note that research on H4CBD is still limited and the specific effects of this hybrid cannabinoid are not completely understood. As with any substance, it is essential to practice responsible consumption and comply with the laws and regulations in your country or region.
