Cannabis may be legal in most of the country, but for the remaining 12 states, the only way to partake in the benefits of cannabis is through hemp products. However, just as every tangled knot has a loophole, people have found a way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis with a little thing called “HHC”.
HHC, a cannabinoid found in hemp, may help you relax and feel similarly to THC. What is HHC? What makes HHC unique, and why are people seeking this molecule out as an alternative to THC? Keep reading to find out.
Everything You Need to Know About HHC
HHC stands for, “Hexahydrocannabinol” and according to users, it will give you about ¾ the buzz that regular THC would.
HHC is a legal alternative to cannabis that can be found for sale in places like the state of Texas where cannabis containing above .03% THC is considered illegal.
Technically anything below .03% THC falls under the “hemp” umbrella. This negligible amount of THC is deemed good and legal by the government because it may contain health benefits for those who qualify to use medicinal cannabis, and it can work without the psychoactive effects.
Before we can discuss the specifics of HHC, let’s review the breakdown of cannabinoids first.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are molecules that interact with our nervous systems in order to produce targeted results. The most commonly known compounds include:
- Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Cannabigerol (CBG)
- Cannabinol (CBN)
- And now, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
Think of each of these cannabinoids as parts of a whole. They all come together like the Power Rangers and may potentially fight a host of maladies like anxiety, inflammation, and depression.
Cannabinoids are the group of molecules that are produced by the cannabis plant and interact naturally with our ECS, or endocannabinoid system.
Short for “hexahydrocannabinol,” HHC is a naturally occurring hydrogen derivative of THC. Although it occurs naturally, it is important to note that the THC derivative occurs naturally only in small amounts. In order to produce HHC on a large scale, it must be manufactured in a lab.
When people consume cannabis, the elated, high sensation that they experience comes from the THC compound, “Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol,” or “Delta-9” or, “THC” for short.
The reason why HHC is so popular is that it behaves similarly to Delta-9, while still falling under the category of hemp. This is huge news for people in states where cannabis remains illegal.
So how does HHC work?
HHC is a cannabinoid that is derived from hemp plants and produces effects similar to THC.
The critical thing to remember is that not all cannabis plants (or, “clones”) are created equally. Most of the really potent cannabis on the market is bred to have a high THC count. The same is true but the opposite for hemp plants—their weakness is their strength.
Hemp plants can not contain above .03% THC and be considered legal. This very small amount of THC is enough to activate a phenomenon called the “ensemble effect,” which requires a little bit of each naturally-occurring cannabinoid to be present in the plant in order to get the most wellness benefits. Cannabinoids work better when they are all together, rather than separately.
That said, the THC present is a minuscule amount, and is not enough to affect most people on a psychoactive level. If you want to reap the medicinal benefits of the whole cannabis plant, it’s helpful to have a trace amount of THC present.
Some people who have been cannabis shy because of a bad experience in their past may benefit from knowing that there is a less intense version of a psychoactive THC high.
HHC is the perfect in-between feeling. It can leave the user feeling one step below high, but one step higher than the musculature relief that CBD can offer.
HHC can provide similar creative and energetic effects to that of THC, just on a smaller scale.
In Conclusion
HHC offers an alternative to the intense and uncomfortable feeling that cannabis can give certain patients. Now you don’t have to wonder what to do if you are looking for some of the mental effects of THC, but you are in a state where it is difficult to get your buzz on.
If you’re curious to learn more about HHC, come by one of our locations and chat with friendly JARS specialists about finding the right cannabinoid edible or vape cartridge for you.
