As of: February 19, 2024, 9:56 a.m
By: Andreas Schmid
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Before the cannabis law is passed, there is already a legal alternative to conventional weed: HHC.
A “designer drug” whose risks are still unclear.
Have you ever heard of HHC?
Hexahydrocannabinol is a type of variant of the hemp plant, the little brother of the hemp active ingredient THC.
The intoxicating effect is said to be similar to traditional weed.
HHC does not fall under the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act.
THC is now to be removed from this and the cannabis law will come into force on April 1st.
HHC is already legal.
Cannabis substitute HHC: Legal weed alternative from the kiosk
You can find it at kiosks or vending machine shops all over the country.
It is consumed through foods containing HHC, such as chocolate or gummy bears, but especially through vapes.
HHC is a semi-synthetic active ingredient.
It only occurs in very small quantities in the hemp plant and is therefore produced in the laboratory.
HHC has experienced a boom in the past three years and has appeared increasingly in Europe since spring 2022.
It became particularly popular via social media, such as TikTok.
There you will find videos about “legal highs” and “why HHC is great”.
HHC is aimed primarily at young people.
Consumption is permitted in Germany from the age of 18.
“HHC is sold in online shops, but also in kiosks and other shops as a supposed cannabis substitute and is advertised in a colorful and dazzling way,” says Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD).
“This prudent handling of the substance is annoying, because of course the consumption of HHC is also associated with risks.”
HHC at an e-kiosk machine in Rosenheim, Upper Bavaria.
There, as in many cities, there are vapes with the active ingredient cannabis, for example with the flavor “Pink Berry”.
Vapes with the flavors “Mango Kush” or “Super Lemon Haze” feature the faces of rappers arrest warrant and GZUZ.
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“Designer drug” HHC: “Intoxicants with high health risks”
HHC is now banned in several countries, such as France and Austria.
Within the EU, HHC is being monitored as a “new psychoactive substance”, according to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).
How the EU states then deal with HHC is up to them.
The federal government wants to include HHC in the New Psychoactive Substances Act.
In the draft bill, HHC is referred to as a “designer drug”.
The law has not yet been officially passed.
From a drug policy perspective, the federal government is currently primarily concerned with the cannabis law: “We have to legalize cannabis in order to remove the basis for dangerous substances like HHC,” says Kristine Lütke, drug policy spokeswoman for the FDP.
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Lütke describes HHC as a “risk product” and says: “It is an intoxicant whose health risks are considered to be high.
At the same time, the potential short- and long-term health effects of HHC products are largely unknown.
This is dangerous."
HHC instead of THC?
“Similarly effective, but still riskier drug”
The effect of HHC has not yet been sufficiently investigated.
“But anecdotal reports from consumers suggest that they may be subjectively similar to those of cannabis,” the EMCDDA said.
Toxicologist Fabian Steinmetz also shares this assessment.
He prepares toxicological reports for a private company and is considered an advocate for more liberal cannabis policies.
“HHC is chemically and psychopharmacologically very similar to THC, so all the risks that apply to potent cannabis also apply to HHC,” says Steinmetz, citing temporary impairment, acute anxiety states or dependence as examples.
The problem with HHC: Nobody knows what's really inside.
“HHC products are not products that are tested in a similar way to medicines, food, tobacco products or cosmetics,” explains Steinmetz.
The possible consequence: toxicological uncertainties or chemical contamination, for example from heavy metals, which the drug commissioner Blienert also has an eye on.
“It turns out that where it says HHC, it doesn’t always contain HHC, but in some cases something much more problematic,” says Blienert.
“It’s about adding other substances, which can be anything.”
Compared to other synthetic, i.e. artificially produced cannabinoids, Steinmetz rates the risk of HHC as “significantly lower”, but also says: “Nevertheless, I advise against consumption - especially long-term use.” The toxicologist says: “Basically, sensible legalization is required of cannabis – then there would be no significant interest in a drug that had the same effect but was still riskier.”
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