A Beginner’s Guide To HHC
By now, you may have heard about HHC, the popular “new” cannabinoid that’s taken over the hemp industry. But what is it, exactly? How is it made? Is it safe? What does the high feel like? Find the answers to all of your questions about HHC in this beginner’s guide.
In the meantime, if you’d like to try HHC for yourself, shop our exciting selection! Convenient online ordering means products delivered straight to your door, ready to use. Choose from prerolls, gummies, disposable vapes, and recently added blunts. Our products are made from organic ingredients and lab tested so you can shop with confidence and stay lifted.
What is HHC?
We’ll start our guide to HHC where it all began- in the 1940s. While hexahydrocannabinol (aka HHC) seems like it’s a new phenomenon, this cannabinoid was actually discovered in the 1940s by American chemist Roger Adams. Adams hydrogenated samples of cannabis-derived THC, and created HHC. Chemically, the addition of the two hydrogen atoms increases stability and changes the way that HHC interacts with our endocannabinoid system.
Is it legal?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp on a federal level. Legally, hemp is defined as cannabis containing .3% or less of delta 9 THC. The purpose of this legalization was to increase hemp production for things like clothing, rope, and food. Unintentionally, however, the bill legalized all cannabinoids that could be derived from hemp. So, HHC is technically legal on a federal level, as long as it is made from hemp.
Individual states have been imposing bans or restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoids. So, while legal on a federal level, it is up to each state to decide whether HHC is legal within its borders. Check out this guide for an overview of HHC laws by state (current as of August 2023). Always be sure to stay up to date for the laws in your state as they are constantly changing.
How does it compare to THC?
HHC is more shelf stable than THC. It is less prone to damage from light, oxygen, and heat. For all my planners out there that like to shop ahead, this is the cannabinoid for you.
In terms of potency, HHC is less potent than THC. This is because the molecule does not have the same affinity for our CB1 receptors as delta 9. A cannabinoid’s interaction with the CB1 receptors is what produces a high. Though HHC is not as potent as delta 9, it is regarded as being more potent than delta 8.
What to expect from an HHC high?
To fully guide you through all things HHC, I would be remiss if I neglected to go over what it actually feels like to consume this cannabinoid. From personal experience, I can tell you that I find the high to be more stimulating than a traditional THC high. High Times describes these mild psychoactive effects as being “…more clear-minded, concentrated, and less overwhelming, potentially leading to fewer common side effects” than the effects of conventional cannabis.
Reduced potency is not exactly bad news. Experience all the benefits of delta 9 without the couch lock, burnout, or racing thoughts. Effects of HHC include euphoria, mood elevation, relaxation, and increased appetite. I personally find that I’m able to focus better while under the influence of HHC than I am while under the influence of delta 9. The high is…sharper, somehow, more alert and clear-headed.
Is HHC safe?
When manufactured properly, HHC is absolutely safe to use. Unfortunately, in most states, the market is not regulated in the same way as the legal cannabis market. This means that really anyone can wrap something up in a blunt and package it as HHC. This is why it’s extremely important to shop from reputable brands, like DVNT. As a consumer, you want to look for products that have been lab tested.
The testing process is important for a few reasons. The first reason, is to ensure that there are no other cannabinoids lingering in the product. If you’re trying to avoid delta 9, and you buy a product labeled as HHC that has a ton of delta 9 in it, that’s obviously not an ideal situation. Secondly, the testing process confirms that there is the proper amount of HHC in the final product. As a consumer, you deserve to get what it is that you’re paying for. The final reason that testing is so important, is to make sure that there are no leftover metals, solvents, or pesticides. In the hydrogenation process, metal is used as a catalyst. When done correctly by experienced chemists in a fully equipped lab, this process is safe, but it is still of vital importance to test the final product before it hits the shelves.
The bottom line
HHC is the ideal cannabinoid for anyone looking to experience a milder, more stimulating high. While the cannabinoid is federally legal, each state has their own rules, so be sure to stay up to date before indulging. Always shop smart, and remember that DVNT’s got you covered for all your HHC needs.