HHC and THC are two cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but they have different properties. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant, while HHC is more potent but not as well known. Legally speaking, THC is illegal in the United States, while HHC is currently not classified. HHC is a minor cannabinoid; it is found naturally in cannabis, but in quantities too small for cost-effective extraction.
Since commercial production of HHC has just taken off, it is not yet widely known. HHC has approximately 70-80% the strength of delta-9 (THC), and delta-8 is approximately half as potent, meaning that HHC is stronger than delta-8 in general. Chemically, HHC is different from THC because it has no double bonds in its chemical structure. During the “conversion process”, all the double bonds in THC are broken and replaced by hydrogen atoms. This process is known as hydrogenation and creates HHC, the exact opposite molecule to CBN (cannabinol), a by-product of THC with additional double bonds. The main difference between HHC-O and Delta 9-THC is federal and state legality.
HHC-O is fully federally legal in 41 states, while Delta 9-THC is illegal and federally illegal in most states. Both HHC and Delta 9-THC produce euphoric psychoactive effects on consumers and carry a wide variety of medical and recreational benefits. Despite the difference in potency, the consumption of products with HHC and THC produces similar effects and benefits, such as relaxation, sedation, energy, concentration and sleep promotion (among others). As for side effects, it is important to mention that they tend to vary, but they are similar in both HHC and THC. The other two methods are the hydrogenation of terpenes (such as citronellol) to HHC and the conversion of CBD to HHC with the help of artificial gastric juice.
Although HHC is found naturally in the cannabis plant, commercial HHC is obtained by hydrogenating cannabinoids derived from hemp under pressure with a catalyst such as palladium. HHC was first discovered by Roger Adams when he chemically synthesized natural THC in 1947. Like THC delta 8 and THC delta 10, commercial HHC is made from hemp-derived CBD in a laboratory using chemical processes. TrēHouse high-potency HHC gummies contain 25 mg of HHC per serving, making a total of 500 mg per pack of 20. The HHC is approximately 70-80% of the strength of the delta-9, and the delta-8 is about half as powerful, meaning that the HHC is stronger than the delta-8 in general.
HHC
products can stay safely in your cabinets or refrigerators for a while, as they have a considerably longer lifespan than Delta 9 THC.However, since HHC and delta-8 are isomers of THC with molecular structures similar to THC, the federal government could consider them controlled substances by default under the Federal Analogs Act (FAA), 21 U. This is likely if HHC becomes popular enough to threaten sales in the legal cannabis market, since we have seen it happen with Delta 8 THC. As with other cannabinoids, the recent increase in interest in HHC does not match comprehensive studies on its safety and effects; much of the information available on HHC is speculative.
