From breeders growing hybrid plants to target the specific needs of consumers to scientists synthesizing cannabinoids for use in topical creams and tinctures, the cannabis industry has come a long way from the early days of simple cultivation.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a new player in the market and part of the cannabis industry’s shift in focus towards making the most of every cannabinoid through synthesization. Here, we dive deeper into what HHC weed is, its properties, and its effects.  

What is HHC Weed?

Hexahydrocannabinol, also known as HHC, is “the hydrogenated derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol” that, under clinical tests, “showed the effects of the typical cannabinoid on the central nervous system, with lower potency than Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.” 

THC and CBD are the most popular cannabinoids on the market. While CBD boasts therapeutic benefits with no psychoactive effects, THC has health benefits with psychoactive effects. HHC has a chemical structure similar to THC. This cannabinoid is created through hydrogenation, which adds extra hydrogen atoms to CBD to create HHC. The main difference is that there are no double bonds in HHC, whereas delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC have them. 

HHC was first discovered in 1944 by the American chemist Roger Adams, responsible for discovering CBD four years earlier. However, the cannabinoid didn’t grow in popularity, like many other lesser-known cannabinoids, until it was synthesized from CBD in the early 2020s. 

How HHC is Made

While HHC is one of 80-100 cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis plants, it only appears in small amounts. Scientists use a chemical process called hydrogenation to transform CBD, which is a much more abundant cannabinoid in cannabis plants, into HHC.

Synthesized cannabinoids pose many implications for the cannabis user and the cannabis industry as a whole, which are both positive and negative. Synthesized cannabis products remain a legal gray area in most states, which means products made in this manner aren't under the same scrutiny, and the quality and potency can vary massively.

HHC can be extracted from cannabis plants without synthesization, but it isn't available to consumers because of the low yield. 

HHC Effects

HHC, like THC, is a psychoactive cannabinoid. However, the psychoactive effects of HHC are much milder than delta-9 THC. HHC has benefits that range from pain relief and relaxation to fighting insomnia.

If a user is looking for an intense psychoactive experience, they may want to look at other cannabinoids. One of the main drawbacks of HHC for consumers is the lack of research on it and checks and balances that can maintain the quality.

Cannabis users who have tried HHC highlight its mild and less intense high and the lack of brain fog and anxiety associated with more potent THC products. Other people have noted tolerance towards HHC builds fast, and the effects are too subtle. 

Is HHC Weed Legal?

HHC, like many synthesized cannabinoids, remains in a legal gray area. While the 2018 Farm Bill and Controlled Substances Act federally allows cannabis products with under 0.3% THC to be sold, HHC must be modified in a lab, which some suggest makes it illegal. HHC is a controlled substance in Alaska, Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Delaware. 

In comparison, THC products are legal in the 24 states that have legalized recreational cannabis and with a medical card in the 38 states where it is legal medically, and CBD is legal in all states except Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota. 

The more HHC grows in popularity, the more likely both federal and state-level governments will need to address legal issues surrounding this cannabinoid. 

Types of HHC Weed Products

Many types of HHC products are available on the market, including a variety of edibles, topicals, oils, beverages, topicals, and more. Only purchase HHC products with good reviews from reputable brands to avoid low-quality and unreliable products. Brands like Bearly Legal Hemp Co., specializing in vape pens, and Binoid, focusing on gummies, are trusted by users nationwide. 

 

Is HHC Weed Safe?

HHC is a psychoactive cannabinoid created in a lab through synthesization, which means some users may experience specific side effects that range from dry mouth and increased heart rate to paranoia and nausea. The lack of research and the recent resurgence of HHC means the long-term effects of the cannabinoid are yet to be determined. 

The main difference between the safety profile of HHC and THC or CBD is its legality. Because THC and CBD are available in dispensaries, consumers can better understand the products they are purchasing from experts, whereas HHC doesn’t have the same checks and balances. 

People who want to try HHC should only purchase from companies with good reviews, start by taking it in small amounts, and avoid mixing it with other cannabis products. 

Conclusion

HHC is a cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis plants in small amounts. Scientists use hydrogenation to convert CBD into HHC in large enough quantities for consumers to use it beneficially. In recent years, HHC has gained popularity among cannabis users seeking a less intense high than delta-9 THC that still boasts therapeutic effects that range from pain relief to relaxation.

HHC, like many other lesser-known cannabinoids, is currently in a legal gray area. As it grows in popularity, the laws surrounding it are likely to become more apparent, which means the positive benefits can also be explored more deeply by scientists in the cannabis industry.

HHC is another cannabinoid that has started to grow in popularity in recent years and provides an alternative experience to CBD and THC for consumers.

FAQs

Is HHC stronger than weed?

No, HHC is reportedly less psychoactive than regular THC. However, it may still provide similar therapeutic effects to THC and CBD.  

Is HHC stronger than Delta 8?

Many users claim HHC has bigger psychoactive effects than delta-8 THC but less than delta-9 THC. 

Is HHC the same as THCA?

No, HHC isn’t the same as THCA. While HHC is more potent than THCA, it is actually less strong than THCA when it is burnt. 

Is HHC sativa or indica?

HHC isn’t Sativa or Indica but is a compound that can come from either strain of cannabis.