Almost every day we come across new cannabinoids that are being discovered. Lately, there has been quite a lot of fuss going on around HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). This compound is very interesting since its molecule is very similar to THC and it is supposed to pose mild psychoactive activity as well. However, it is questionable whether it is legal or not.
What is HHC?
HHC molecule is basically hydrogenated THC, which means that hydrogen molecules are added to THC. The process of hydrogenation is known to us from the food industry, where it is used to convert vegetable oil to margarine.
What are the effects of HHC?
HHC is supposed to pose mild psychoactive activity, similar to the one of delta-8 THC, but a much higher dose to do so is needed. Similar to THC, HHC as well is supposed to soothe some pain, according to subjective reviews from users.
Is HHC legal?
Since it is not an isomer of THC, it does not fall under drugs law in the EU. According to the Farm Bill, also in the US, it is not banned on the federal level, if it originates from hemp with THC levels < 0.3 %. However, some regulatory experts are skeptical about its legality. It seems that you are on the safe side with HHC for now, but things can change fast, so it is recommended to stay on track with any legislation changes that might happen at anytime.
Can you be positive on a drug test because of HHC?
11-hydroxy-THC is the metabolite of THC that is the one that is measured on a majority of drug tests for marijuana. HHC is not likely to metabolize to 11-hydroxy-THC, so theoretically you cannot be positive on a drug test because of HHC. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, so caution is suggested. 11-hydroxy-THC can be detected in hair and urine for 30 days after administration, so it is better to avoid HHC if you are expecting drug screening in the next few weeks.
What does science say about HHC?
There are no peer-reviewed scientific studies yet to examine its effects on humans. This means, that all information we have on HHC is anecdotal or comes from subjective user reviews.
Takeaway
HHC is a new popular cannabinoid on the market. Its structure is very similar to THC and it is mildly psychoactive as well. Since there is no scientific data about its effects yet, all of the data is anecdotal or based on the subjective experience of people who have used it. At the moment it seems it is legal, but this might change, so being on track with legislation updates is necessary.