Does HHC test positive for drugs?

HHC or hexahydrocannabinol is a new synthetic cannabinoid that has become popular as an alternative to THC, cheaper than cannabis products, and with a psychoactive effect. HHC products are varied, from vapes to CBD flowers sprayed with HHC to CBD hash with HHC added. They are often promoted as products that produce a “high” and can be purchased “legally”. However, HHC has raised many questions, especially among those consumers concerned about drug test results. Today in Cannactiva ‘s post we address the question of whether the consumption of HHC gives a positive result in a drug test.

What is HHC and how is it related to Cannabis?

HHC is a synthetic derivative of cannabis obtained through chemical modification of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol (the intoxicating compound in marijuana). HHC shares many properties with THC, including a psychoactive effect. However, it is less safe than THC and a compound whose adverse effects are unknown.

Products with HHC were first detected in Europe in 2022. These products are produced by simply spraying HHC on CBD flowers or by adding synthetic HHC to CBD hashish to produce psychoactive effects.

HHC products include vapers, hemp flowers sprayed with HHC, hash with HHC, and other derivatives.

HHC is commonly sold as a cannabis product that produces a high like THC and can be purchased “legally”. It can be found in some stores that also sell cannabis products, such as CBD stores, Head Shops and Grow Shops.

Understanding the legality of HHC

Although HHC is not banned in some countries, its side effects are similar to those of THC, producing altered perception and motor incoordination. In addition, it also produces reddening of the eyes and dry mouth, so that, in case of a traffic control, with high probability the person intoxicated by HHC will be mistaken for a THC intoxication and subjected to a test.

It is important to mention that HHC products are relatively new in the market, and therefore, in many countries this compound moves in a legal gray zone that allows its sale.

However, the most worrisome aspect of HHC is not so much its possible positive drug test result, but rather its questionable safety and adverse effects. Due to the lack of control of HHC products, it is difficult to determine the amount of each molecule and therefore to predict the potency of the product.

Does HHC test positive or negative in a DGT drug test?

Since there is very little information on HHC, it is not possible to state with certainty whether the consumption of products containing it can give a positive result in drug tests. With the current data, it is possible to test positive for HHC consumption.

Theoretically, drug tests are designed to detect 11-hydroxy-THC, which is a derivative of THC. However, because of the similarity of the molecules, HHC could test positive in drug tests if they detect 11-hydroxy-HHC, a molecule chemically very similar to THC.

According to a report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Administration (EMCDDA, 2023), products with HHC that actually contained a mixture of HHC and THC have been found on the European market. In that case, a positive result in a drug test is obvious.

It will also depend on the product being consumed and the quantity. In the case of HHC that is not pure, but has been added to cannabis products, it is possible to find certain amounts of THC in the product, which is another factor that can give a positive result in this type of test.

Regular cannabis users can test positive for more than 30 days after cessation of use, whereas a single exposure to cannabis in non-regular users can be detected in urine only up to 72 hours after use.

In any case, the characteristics of cannabinoids mean that there is great variability in detection times (which in exceptional cases can last up to three months). It depends largely on the metabolism of each person, the frequency of consumption, and the type of product and quantity consumed.