Among the delta 8, delta 10, and delta 0 THC cannabinoids that have been sweeping the nation, there is another compound that is starting to make its way onto retail shelves: HHC. This cannabinoid is definitely not something new, but in order to continue competing in an ever-growing industry, many companies have been turning to lesser-known cannabinoids, such as HHC, to give consumers a new product and bring more attention to their brand.
What is HHC?
HHC is a THC relatively long known to science, but until recently, has not often been discussed by cannabis users. It is a minor cannabinoid that occurs naturally in cannabis, but in amounts too small to make extraction cost-effective. Since commercial production of HHC is just getting off the ground, not much is known about the compound. HHC was discovered in the 1940s by chemist Roger Adams. He created HHC by adding hydrogen to the THC molecule and altering its physical properties. The process, called hydrogenation, is first described in a 1947 patent document.
“The THC levels in HHC are similar to that of CBD, where it can be 0.3 percent, or even less,” Alfredo Gomez, SEO Specialist and key marketing team member for Delta Extrax and Savage Enterprises, said. “It is another cannabinoid found in the hemp plant that is extracted from the pollen and seeds in the plant, but it is also psychoactive. It has the capability of getting users into a head space similar to delta 8 or delta 9, but the biggest difference aside from where it is extracted from is the chemical structure — it has no double bond, unlike marijuana, delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10.” Basically, when users consume HHC, they can expect an experience similar to the likes of delta 8 and delta 9.
Is HHC Legal?
Now for the important question — is HHC actually legal? According to Exhale Wellness, HHC is 100 percent federally legal since it is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that is Farm Bill compliant. Currently, no laws on the state level make HHC illegal. However, this does not mean that certain states do not have any restrictions on this hemp-derived cannabinoid. Even though the House just voted to decriminalize marijuana, selling cannabis products in certain states is still tricky, so always check the guidelines in your area to ensure you are not breaking the law before diving in and selling HHC merchandise.
The following are some states where it could potentially be difficult to sell HHC products (based on other hemp-related laws):
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Utah
Different Methods of Consuming HHC
Just like other cannabis products, there are multiple different ways to consume HHC. So far, many brands are selling HHC-infused gummies, vape cartridges, flower, pre-rolls, and oil. As more brands continue to infuse this compound into their products, more delicious concoctions are sure to come. “We do believe that HHC is an emerging cannabinoid and have a couple of new products that feature HHC currently out now. We even have a few different variations, such as HHC and HHC-O,” Gomez said.
In order to successfully sell HHC merchandise, it is important for cannabis retailers to always stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends. One of the main reasons Delta Extrax has stayed profitable is because they continue to be the first to the market with up-and-coming cannabinoids, such as HHC. While delta 8 was their main focus in the beginning, they quickly discovered the growing popularity of delta 9 and delta 10, and then merged to begin offering products that are infused with those compounds. The retail industry always keeps business owners on their toes, and selling cannabis is no different. Continue to pivot and offer the next big thing, and your company is sure to see success.