It is no longer a secret that the cannabis industry works overtime to create more cannabis products in different forms. As a result, researchers are conducting studies to learn more about cannabis and its derivatives. Luckily for cannabis users and the community, perceptions about cannabinoids are increasingly changing across the globe, backed up by the misconceptions on legality, safety, and side effects.
The newest cannabinoid product hitting the market and gaining global prominence after several states imposed a ban on selling other cannabis derivatives like Delta-8 and Delta-9 is Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). Whether or not we agree with this statement, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the rise of HHC, with the studies, media, and blogs having something new to say about HHC.
So, what exactly is Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)?
There are dozens of contradictory pieces of information about hexahydrocannabinol. While others refer to it as a naturally produced cannabinoid compound, others refer to it as a synthetic product made in the lab. So, which is true?
While it is true that hexahydrocannabinol naturally occurs in cannabinoids like cannabis plants, the quantity of natural HHC is too small for mass production. As a result, the HHC used in consumer products today is created in the lab through a process known as hydrogenation.
Now, let’s go back a little bit to the history of Hexahydro cannabinol. Hexahydro cannabinol was first discovered by an American scientist called Roger Adams in 1994 through the hydrogenation process. The process involved adding hydrogen molecules into delt-8 or delta-9 to form HHC. This chemical process converted the THC molecules in delta-9 to HHC. However, this compound was not in the limelight until it recently received global attention. While Roger Adams created HHC from THC derived from cannabis, today, HHC is synthesized from hemp-derived THC like delta-8 THC.
How potent is hydrohexacannabinnol?
For a compound derived from THC, there are possibilities that it could be as potent as THC itself. However, we cannot ascertain the potency levels of this compound. Studies behind its potency bored many discrepancies and were not worth being published for public consumption.
Based on anecdotal sources such as the ones seen on HHC pre rolls reviews, HHC products are said to be as potent as delta-9 THC when consumed in high doses. With the disparities in information regarding HHC potency, proper research should be conducted, and results worth consumption be published.
Due to the rising uncertainty about HHC potency, side effects, and legality, HHC products continue to sell exponentially in different parts of the world, with the USA being the leading market hub. By focusing on hexahydrocannabinol, this article attempts to look into some reasons why the HHC market is increasingly growing.
Based on the market analysis, here are five reasons why the HHC market is here to stay.
1. Unclear regulations
HHC is legal to sell. At least, that is what we know for now. Technically, HHC has been in existence for ages. It recently gained the limelight and has only been available to consumers for less than five years. As a result, there are no clear guidelines or rules to regulate its production and distribution. Additionally, virtually all HHC products in the market comprise the lab-made HHC derived from hemp plants declared legal through the 2018 Farm Bill as long as the final product has delta-9 THC below the legal threshold of 0.3%.
Although not everyone agrees with this narrative, and some experts still consider it illegal, HHC products will continue to sell legally as the market grows even more significant in the coming years.
2. The joy of experiencing new products
Like many THC products ever created, HHC is an emerging product that most consumers are curious to experiment with. Coupled with the ban on most delta-8 and delta-9 in various countries, news of legal products perhaps with the same or less potency as the illegal delta-8 and delta-9 products is driving consumers into trying HHC products.
As the hype continues to grow, so does the market. Unless the production of HHC is declared illegal, the market will keep rising.
3. Positive consumer reviews
Increased positive reviews on HHC products through large consumer platforms like Reddit are increasingly driving HHC sales and expanding the market. Although there is no substantial proof in most reviews, as long as they remain optimistic, more consumers will lean towards HHC.
4. Negative drug tests
The main selling point of HHC products is that they don’t register on any drug tests. This narrative has got a lot of people interested in trying the new product because the other cannabis derivatives like delta-8 and delta-9 have, on many occasions, failed on both urine and blood drug tests.
Whether or not HHC can show up in drug tests is still a subject of contextual debate and further research. However, the narrative still holds water among most consumers based on anecdotal evidence from people who have undergone the tests.
5. The unknown history of side effects
The fewer side effects a product has, the more consumers it gains. Due to the lack of intensive research into HHC and its products, little or no history of side effects related to the consumption of these products has been recorded compared to other alternatives in the market. As a result, HHC is increasingly gaining popularity, and sooner or later, it will dominate the market.
Final Thoughts
The market demand for HHC is rising each passing day, thanks to unregulated production and distribution. However, there is an urgent need for concerned agencies to research its properties, potency levels, side effects, and medicinal values if any. The HHC will continue to thrive on consumer ignorance until these concerns are addressed.
