HHC VS. DELTA-8 AND DELTA-9 THC: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
What is HHC?
When you pick up something like Creative Culture HHC High Chews, what is it you’re getting? HHC is hexahydrocannabinol, which is a hydrogenated form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Basically, this means that the HHC molecule contains hydrogen molecules that are missing from other forms of THC, but is still psychoactive like THC. While HHC can be found in cannabis, it is only in trace amounts, which makes it very difficult to isolate through extraction in large enough volumes to use for product creation. Therefore, most HHC products are made with a synthesized version of the cannabinoid that is made through the hydrogenation of either delta 8 or delta 9 THC.
What Is Delta 8 THC
Both Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC, which are psychoactive cannabinoids, are present in hemp. Delta 8 is actually an isomer of delta 9, which means that while it has the same number of atoms, they are slightly organized differently. Plants from the cannabis plant also contain trace amounts of delta 8 THC.
What Is Delta 9 THC?
The main psychoactive cannabinoid in all cannabis varieties, including hemp cultivars, is delta 9 THC. Although delta 9 THC and delta 8 THC appear nearly identical at the molecular level, delta 9 has a double carbon bond in a different location than delta 8. Delta 9 is highly prevalent in cannabis, also known as marijuana, but it is only in trace amounts in hemp.
What’s the difference?
Each of these cannabinoids will have effects that are similar, minute differences in their chemical makeup can significantly change the “vibe” of the experience. You can personalize your experience to meet your preference by being aware of the effects of each.
To help you choose what’s best for you, this article compares and contrasts the three cannabinoids.
The following table lists the similarities and differences between HHC, delta 8 THC, and delta 9 THC; more in-depth discussion of each category is provided in the following sections.
What’s the difference between HHC, Delta 9 THC, and Delta 8 THC?
All cannabinoids are made up of the same building blocks: carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.
These three cannabinoids differ from one another because their chemical structures all contain a double bond.
In the central ring structure of delta 8 and delta 9 THC, the double bond is located at the eighth carbon, respectively. At neither location, HHC has a second bond.
Even though the chemical variations are subtle, they have a significant impact on how each of these cannabinoids feels.
What are the side effects of HHC & THC?
The side effects of HHC, delta 8 THC, and delta 9 THC are similar, with delta 9 THC users reporting a marginally higher incidence of unpleasant effects.
The most common side effects of all three cannabinoids are:
The likelihood of experiencing side effects increases with higher doses. Remember that due to its higher potency than HHC or delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC is more likely to have undesirable effects at a given dose.
Potency Comparison
HHC is slightly stronger than delta 8 THC but not quite as powerful as delta 9 THC, making it a good option for people who want a little more than delta 8 can offer.
Half as powerful as delta 9, delta 8 is. Many people prefer delta 8 THC over delta 9 THC because they believe the latter causes undesirable side effects like anxiety and paranoia. Delta 8 is more adaptable due to its lower potency because users can fine-tune their experience by having to adjust the dose.
Comparison of Legal Status
Only 16 states allow the use of delta 9 THC, while 38 allow HHC and delta 8 THC. Federally, hemp-derived cannabinoids with a THC content of less than 0.3% are now legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Since then, 12 states have independently decided to impose limitations or bans on the sale and possession of delta 8 THC.
There is no HHC-specific legislation in effect anywhere in the United States at the moment, but most people believe that states with delta 8 restrictions would successfully defend similar bans on HHC in court. The best course of action is to assume that HHC is subject to the same delta 8 laws.
Legal Status Comparison
Only 16 states allow the use of delta 9 THC, while 38 allow HHC and delta 8 THC. Federally, hemp-derived cannabinoids with a THC content of less than 0.3% are now legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Since then, 12 states have independently decided to impose limitations or bans on the sale and possession of delta 8 THC.
There is no HHC-specific legislation in effect anywhere in the United States at the moment, but most people believe that states with delta 8 restrictions would successfully defend similar bans on HHC in court. The best course of action is to assume that HHC is subject to the same delta 8 laws.
How Easy Is It To Find HHC or THC
Because it is so hard to find, HHC is more expensive and scarcer than delta 8 and delta 9 THC in the current cannabinoid markets. Given that HHC has a more permissive legal status in most states than delta-9 THC, one would naturally expect that its products would be more widely available. However, this is not the case.
The best choice among the three is delta 8 THC if the convenience of purchase is your top priority. It is equally widely legal as HHC, but because it has been around longer, dispensaries and online retailers are more likely to have it in stock.
