At 321CBD, we have never offered products based on HHC or its derivatives, like the HHC 9S that we are going to present to you today. And we were right, because the State banned it last June.
“New” cannabinoids: what is HHC 9S?
HHC 9S is an isomer of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), itself erroneously nicknamed “the legal joint”. It sets the scene for you. Concretely, HHC 9S shares the same molecular formula as HHC, but its atoms have a slightly different configuration in space.
HHC is an analogue of THC, the main psychoactive molecule of the cannabis plant. The double bonds in the THC ring structure are saturated here: each double bond is converted into a single bond by the addition of hydrogen atoms. This is called the hydrogenation process. Of course, this chemical reaction is caused by humans, in vitro. We are therefore on a synthetic molecule that is not found in nature.
The “9S” in “HHC 9S” refers to a somewhat particular stereochemical configuration at the level of 9e carbon atom. In organic chemistry, the configurations "S" (for sinister, meaning "left") and "R" (for rectus, meaning "right") describe the spatial arrangement of atoms around a chiral center. Thus, in HHC 9S, the groups around the 9e carbon atom are arranged in an “S” shape, according to the sequence rule of priority of Cahn–Ingold–Prelog. So here it is for chemistry enthusiasts.
Here's the information you're looking for: unfortunately, this molecular rearrangement is not enough to neutralize its psychotropic effects… which leaves us leads to the next point.
HHC 9S: side effects galore
We will analyze this in two stages. Let's start with the fact that HHC 9S is a synthetic molecule unknown to the battalion, whose products do not benefit from any kind of traceability. As such, a marketed HHC 9S product may very well contain cannabis full of THC, residual solvents, heavy metals, etc. It can also be excessively dosed, or even adulterated, with all the health risks that we know about.
Next, even if the hemp product purchased contains HHC 9S, you will consume a THC analog molecule which has major side effects. It’s not 321CBD that says it. This is the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM): “Consumption of HHC or its derivatives exposes you to risks such as tremors, vomiting , anxiety, 'bad trip', mental confusion, malaise, tachycardia, chest pain, blood pressure surges whose intensity seems to vary depending on the HHC content, which is not not always specified or accurate."
Is the HHC 9S legal in France?
No. Whatever some traders and e-tailers say who are simply looking to sell off their MASSIVE stocks accumulated this summer, before the ban.
Certainly, in the press release which accompanies the ban decision, the ANSM does not mention HHC 9S: “We have decided to include the hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and two of its derivatives, HHC-acetate (HHCO) and hexahydroxycannabiphorol (HHCP) on the list of narcotics”. But HHC 9S and HHC 9R are so close to HHC on a molecular level... there is no room for doubt, in our opinion.
