The sale and consumption of HHC is now prohibited in France. In the crosshairs of the authorities for its psychotropic effects, this cannabis derivative has so far benefited from legal uncertainty.
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With his bag full, Frédéric stocked up on learning that HHC, an increasingly popular cannabis derivative, was now classified as a narcotic. The National Medicines Safety Agency (Ansm) announced its decision on Monday, June 12. “Tomorrow [mardi 13 juin], the consumption and sale of HHC will be prohibited. My ministry is mobilized to protect the health of the French people and fight against addictions”, said Health Minister François Braun.
>>> “Not authorized, but not illegal”: what is HHC, this cannabis derivative sold freely in France?
After 15 years without HHC, Frédéric recently started using “occasionally” HHC (or hexahydrocannabinol), “in the evening before sleeping”. He disputes the arguments of the ANSM which points to a risk of dependence and significant side effects. “The bad trips, the vomiting, the anxiety… No! It’s completely false. I confirm it to you 100%, there is nothing more than going to bed”, he assures.
“We knew it was going to be banned”
Unlike CBD, which remains legal, HHC has psychotropic effects, similar to classic cannabis. A legal void has so far surrounded this substance, which has until now been freely sold on the Internet or in specialized shops. Increasingly popular, hexahydrocannabinol represented up to half of the sales in this store in the center of Paris, where Mélissa works. On the counter, there remain four jars, barely filled with green flowers. “We didn’t place a new order because we knew it was going to be banned.” The seller alludes to recent positions taken by the Minister of Health. Guest of franceinfo on May 15, François Braun warned that the ban on HHC was only a “question of weeks”.
Although she anticipated, the news was brutal for this trader. She believes that this ban will have negative effects! “It will make people go back to what was even worse, like THC”. In other words, classic cannabis. However, Mélissa is not very worried. Like other consumers and traders, she thinks that new substances will appear and take over from HHC.