HHC cannabis: Illegal in Switzerland with immediate effect
HHC Cannabis - A trend that is illegal with immediate effect
In the field of cannabis trends, HHC had recently established itself on the market alongside CBD: HHC cannabis, HHC, or hexahydrocannabinol, is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in cannabis and has similar effects to the best-known cannabinoid THC - the only difference being that it is less psychoactive. But that is by no means all that made this trend so exciting. The chemical structure of HHC is different from THC, possibly leading to a different effect on the body. Some users reported that they felt a milder effect when taking HHC than THC. Overall, HHC cannabis, which is also currently illegal, offers an exciting alternative to illegal THC. With its numerous properties, including a longer half-life, higher bioavailability and possibly even a stronger mode of action than THC, HHC was a big hype in the cannabis market. However, this trend was stopped by the Swiss government as of 31.03.2023, in which this active substance was put on the narcotics list (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung). Therefore, as of now, HHC is no longer legal in Switzerland.
Change in the legal basis in Switzerland as of 31.03.2023
Since 1 January 2019, the new Narcotics Act has come into force in Switzerland, which also includes the prohibition of HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). HHC is a synthetic substance that is chemically very closely related to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis. It was suspected that HHC had a similar effect to THC and was therefore used by some as a legal alternative to cannabis.
The prohibition of HHC was due to concerns about its effects on health. It is believed that HHC has similar psychoactive effects to THC and may also be associated with some similar risks, such as the risk of anxiety, paranoia and psychotic symptoms.
In Switzerland, HHC was already considered an illegal substance before the new Narcotics Law came into force, but until now there were no specific laws regulating its use. The new law has now set clear rules for the possession, production, sale and use of HHC and made it illegal.
The ban on HHC in Switzerland is part of a broader trend in many countries where synthetic drugs, including those marketed as legal alternatives to illicit drugs such as cannabis or MDMA (ecstasy), are increasingly being banned. This is due to growing concerns about the health risks of these substances, especially because their long-term health effects are still unclear.
The Swiss government thinks that banning HHC in Switzerland as a whole is an important step in the fight against illicit drug use and wants to show commitment to protecting public health. It is important that people are aware of the risks of synthetic drugs and stay away from illegal substances to protect their health and well-being.
Legal alternatives to HHC, which is illegal as of now.
There is no specific legal alternative to HHC, as HHC itself is a synthetic substance that does not occur naturally in the cannabis plant. However, there are many legal alternatives that people can use to replicate the effects of THC without using illegal substances. One of these alternatives is CBD (cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive compound that is also found in the cannabis plant. The higher the CBD content, the more the effect can resemble HHC. Products with a very high CBD content are CBD Ice Rocks, CBD Moon Rocks, CBD Hashish, CBD Liquids, CBD Vapes and CBD Indoor flowers.
CBD has many of the medicinal benefits of THC without the psychoactive effects. This makes it a popular choice for people who use cannabis medication but do not want to experience psychoactive effects.
There are also other natural alternatives such as herbal blends or supplements that can help promote relaxation and mood improvements without having unwanted side effects. However, these alternatives are not specific to HHC and may contain different active ingredients.
