- The once popular HHC is now forbidden in France, leading to significant reactions and loss of stock. 😮
- Despite this prohibition, the CBD industry is exploring new legal alternatives for fulfilling consumption. ??
- The ANSM has classified HHC as a narcotic, but alternatives such as H4CBD, THCV are already present🤔
HHC, a semi-synthetic derivative of cannabis, was once a popular product in the French CBD industry. However, this substance has recently been classified as a narcotic, leading to an immediate ban on its sale from Tuesday, June 12, 2023. This decision has provoked strong reactions from professionals who consider it to be more of a political as well as scientific measure, influenced by the prohibition of cannabis. But it also paved the way for the discovery of legal alternatives, such as H4CBD and THCV. These two substances, although less known, offer interesting effects and are available for purchase in many shops online: Stormrock, Okiweed, Tealerlab, Cbd Shop Hornbill, Emendil, HHC Farmers, Weecl…
Legal alternatives: H4CBD and THCV
Among these alternatives, the H4CBD and the THCV stand out. H4CBD, or Tetrahydrocannabidiol, is a molecule that offers relaxing effects without the psychoactive effects of THC. It is available in different forms: flowers, resins, oils, e-liquids, and even in a vape version for puff lovers.
THCV, or Tetrahydrocannabivarin, is another molecule derived from cannabis. It is renowned for its stimulant effects and therapeutic potential. Like H4CBD, it is available to buy from a number of online retailers.
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The ban on HHC: A sudden announcement
The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) took everyone by surprise by classifying HHC as a narcotic on Monday June 12. This decision immediately led to the ban on the sale of products based on this molecule (flowers, oils, etc.) in all shops and websites. This measure dealt a blow to the French CBD industry, which offers hemp-based products with a THC level below 0.3 %, as well as to some consumers who had opted for this new substance in order to turn away from illegal cannabis.
A very short time
Although some industry players suspected that the classification of HHC as narcotic was imminent, the extremely short delay between the announcement and its effective date was strongly criticized. Some see it as an ideological measure disconnected from the real economic and health issues, and denounce the lack of time left to players in the sector to prepare.
A tumultuous relationship between the State and the CBD industry
This ban is part of a context of strained relations between the French state and the CBD industry. Already, a legal battle had erupted around the sale of hemp leaves and flowers in France, but it had finally been authorized by the Council of State. Thus, this new ban on HHC marks a new episode in this showdown between the two parties.
An instant reaction
The announcement of the ban on HHC caused an immediate furore. Many CBD shops were taken by storm immediately after the announcement by the French Medicines Agency. For example, the managers of CBD shop Vaporiz'me in Rennes had to push back closing time to accommodate as many customers as possible, before having to withdraw an entire range of popular products. Maxime, the manager, explains that the items were withdrawn from the shop and deactivated on the site, resulting in a loss of stock, but he sees this as a consequence of the game.
Surprising consequences
The speed with which the decision was implemented also provoked reactions. Some shopkeepers are astonished that customers who came the day before now find themselves in possession of drugs. Maxime almost jokes, saying: "It's a strange time, I sold a product yesterday that is now considered to be a drug. Yann Bisiou, a lecturer at Paul-Valéry-Montpellier-III University and a specialist in public policy on drugs, expresses his astonishment at a decision taken at 2.40pm and applicable at midnight, without giving consumers and the industry time to adapt. He condemns the lack of reflection behind this decision.
Returning to previous habits
Among the arguments put forward by the ANSM to justify its decision, we find the similarity of the chemical structures of HHC and THC, a molecule already classified as a narcotic. The effects of consuming the two substances are also similar. Some cannabis smokers even considered HHC a legal way to get high. Thus, the banning of HHC means the end of this alternative. It is therefore very likely that consumers will turn back to their former use of illegal cannabis, which worries some experts.
A decision criticized
Some experts question the ANSM's decision by calling it a news item policy. They believe that banning HHC does not contribute to building a coherent public health policy. According to them, this hasty decision lacks reflection and does not take into account the real economic and health issues.
New replacement molecules such as H4CBD, THCV
As the market is globalized, banning HHC might just be a shot in the arm as legal alternatives like H4CBD, THCV are already there. Industrial players in the United States are constantly working on new molecules, and when one of them is deemed useful, it always ends up arriving in Europe. Thus, cannabis derivatives such as H4CBD, PHC or even THCP could replace HHC in the near future, some already present in Stormrock, OkiweedTealerlab, Cbd Shop Calao, Emendil, HHC Farmers, Weecl... Some industry players, such as Alexandre Lacarré, founder of Phytocann, are even considering taking legal action against the ANSM's opinion.
A tense political situation
While Germany is committed to legalising recreational cannabis from 2024, France remains firmly opposed to the idea, as does its President Emmanuel Macron. This political situation has repercussions for the CBD industry, which risks suffering the consequences of this opposition for a long time to come.
HHC forbidden, long live the H4CBD and the THCV!
😮 Prohibition of HHC | Stock clearance and surprising reactions. |
🌱💡 Legal alternatives | The CBD industry is exploring H4CBD and THCV despite the ban. |
🤔 ANSM and HHC | The ANSM classifies HHC as a narcotic, but H4CBD and THCV are legal. |
💼 Innovative companies | Stormrock, Okiweed, Tealerlab, Cbd Shop Calao, Emendil, HHC Farmers, Weecl… offer H4CBD, THCV. |