THCP and HHC in Europe 2026 – What's Legal and What's Not

HHC in Europe 2026 – Complete Overview of Bans and What Remains Legal

Legal status: In Czechia, HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a psychotropic substance under Annex 4 of Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Sb. Manufacturing, selling, offering and possessing it without a licence is illegal. HHCP, HHCH (HHC-C6), HHC-C8, HHCB and other derivatives are scheduled psychoactive substances under Government Regulation No. 11/2025 Sb.; handling them outside research is prohibited (Section 33j of Act No. 167/1998 Sb.). In many other EU countries, HHC is also a controlled substance.

Hexahydrocannabinol, known by the abbreviation HHC, has undergone dramatic changes over the past three years: from a freely sold cannabinoid available in vending machines and CBD shops across Europe, it has become an internationally controlled psychotropic substance. The turning point came in March 2025, when the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) placed HHC on Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances – the same category as cannabis and methamphetamine. This opened the door to a global ban that in practice affected even previously hesitant European states.

In this article, we bring you a complete, up-to-date overview of where HHC is banned in Europe in 2026, what penalties apply, what changed at the international level, and which cannabinoids are not on controlled substance lists.

What is HHC and Why Was It Banned

HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid created by hydrogenation of THC – a chemical transformation in which hydrogen atoms are added to the THC molecule. The resulting compound retains psychoactive effects comparable to THC, but originally did not fall under any controlled substance lists. This legal loophole allowed HHC products to spread massively across the European market from 2021 onward.

The reasons for gradual bans across Europe can be summarized in three points:

• Health risks: insufficiently researched safety profile, documented intoxications and hospitalizations, particularly among children and adolescents
• Psychoactive effects: action comparable to THC, which existing legislation strictly regulates
• Systematic circumvention of regulation: manufacturers repeatedly responded to bans with minor molecular modifications, creating new variants such as HHC-O, HHC-P, or THCP

Timeline of HHC Bans in Europe (2023–2026)

Gradual HHC bans occurred in three distinct waves, with each responding to new scientific findings and public pressure.

2023 – First Wave of Bans

• January 2023: Finland lists HHC among controlled substances as one of the first European countries
• March 2023: Austria bans HHC by amending the ordinance on new psychoactive substances (effective March 23, 2023)
• April 2023: Poland bans HHC under psychoactive substance legislation (effective April 14, 2023)
• June 2023: France bans HHC, HHC-O, and HHCP by classifying them as narcotic drugs (from June 12, 2023)
• July 2023: Italy lists HHC, HHC acetate, and HHC-P in Table I of narcotic drugs by Ministry of Health decree of July 13, 2023 (effective July 28, 2023)

2024 – Second Wave and Expansion of Bans

• May 2024: Ireland classifies HHC as an illegal drug
• June 2024: Germany bans HHC through the 5th amendment to the New Psychoactive Substances Act NpSG (effective June 27, 2024)
• September 2024: Malta announces a ban on all HHC products
• November 2024: Slovakia bans HHC and all its variants by amending the law on addictive substances

2025 – International Ban and Third Wave

• March 2025: The 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes with 48 countries to place HHC on Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; the USA abstained from voting
• April 2025: Spain bans HHC and its derivatives by order SND/380/2025, published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on April 22, 2025 (effective April 23, 2025)
• May 2025: The British advisory body ACMD recommends a formal ban on HHC; Home Secretary Diana Johnson accepts the recommendation

2026 – Consequences of International Ban

• Classification of HHC on Schedule II of the 1971 Convention becomes fully effective 180 days after notification; all 184 signatory states must restrict HHC exclusively to scientific, medical, and industrial purposes
• The European Union coordinates harmonization of bans at the community level with the goal of eliminating remaining gaps in individual national legislations

Overview: Status of HHC in European Countries

Czech Republic – Detailed Analysis

The Czech Republic approached the HHC ban with some delay compared to Western European countries. The trigger was an increase in hospitalizations of children and adolescents following HHC product consumption, which hospitals reported and which prompted the government to act quickly.

Progress of the Ban

Today HHC is listed in List No. 4 of psychotropic substances in Annex 4 to Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Sb.; derivatives such as HHCP, HHC-C6 or HHC-C8 are listed in Government Regulation No. 11/2025 Sb. on the list of scheduled psychoactive substances.

Extension of the Ban to Derivatives

The government also responded to manufacturers' practice of making minor chemical modifications to banned molecules. The scheduled psychoactive substances (today Government Regulation No. 11/2025 Sb.) include further derivatives such as HHCP, HHCH (HHC-C6), HHC-C8, HHCB and other structurally related variants; handling them outside research is prohibited (Section 33j of Act No. 167/1998 Sb.). Through this step, the Czech Republic effectively closed regulatory loopholes that manufacturers had systematically exploited.

Penalties

• Possession for personal use: misdemeanor with a fine up to 15,000 CZK
• Possession of a larger amount: criminal offense with possible imprisonment
• Manufacturing, importing, and selling: criminal offense

Customs Administration

The Czech Customs Administration actively inspects shipments and confiscates imported products containing HHC. On its website, it published an explicit ban on importing the psychotropic substance HHC, with inspections also applying to shipments from other EU member states.

Germany – NpSG and Ban Since June 2024

Germany banned HHC through the 5th amendment to the New Psychoactive Substances Act (Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz, NpSG), which entered into force on June 27, 2024. Today HHC is listed in Annex II of the German Narcotics Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz, BtMG, Anlage II).

What is Banned

The amendment explicitly bans the manufacture, trading, import, export, and transit of HHC and related substances (HHC-AC, HHC-H, HHC-P). The ban applies to all product forms:

• Disposable electronic cigarettes with HHC (the most problematic market segment)
• HHC gummies and food products
• Hemp flowers sprayed with HHC
• All other products containing HHC or its derivatives

Legal Consequences

Unlike some other countries, Germany also bans possession and acquisition of HHC preparations. Actual consumption is not explicitly punishable; however, proven possession violates the law.

Context of Cannabis Legalization

A remarkable paradox is that Germany partially legalized recreational cannabis in April 2024 (CanG law – Cannabisgesetz), but just two months later banned semi-synthetic cannabinoids including HHC. The difference lies in the safety profile: natural cannabis is relatively well researched after decades of study, whereas semi-synthetic compounds like HHC do not yet have this scientific foundation.

Spain – Royal Decree from April 2025

Spain was one of the last major European countries to formally ban HHC, with the direct impetus coming from the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs decision from March 2025. By order of the Ministry of Health (Orden SND/380/2025) of April 14, 2025, published in the official gazette (Boletín Oficial del Estado) on April 22, 2025, HHC and its derivatives were listed in Schedule II of Annex 1 of Royal Decree 2829/1977.

Banned Substances

The order covers a broad range of substances: HHC, HHC-O (HHC acetate), HHCP, HHCP-O, delta-8-THCP, delta-9-THCP, THCP-O, THC-O, delta-8-THC-C8, delta-9-THC-C8, and H4-CBD. The scope of the ban suggests that Spanish lawmakers deliberately anticipated future circumvention attempts through chemically modified derivatives.

Consequences

From April 23, 2025, the manufacture, sale, distribution, and possession of HHC are banned in Spain except for scientific and medical purposes. The transition from a state of de facto tolerance to formal regulation thus took place practically overnight.

Other Countries – Brief Overview

France

France was among the first major European countries to ban HHC. Since June 12, 2023, HHC, HHC-O, and HHCP have been classified as narcotic drugs (stupéfiants) in France. The ban covers manufacture, sale, and use. The impact on the market was immediate – many hemp shops had to physically dispose of HHC product stocks.

Italy

Italy listed HHC, HHC acetate, and HHC-P in Table I of narcotic drugs by decree of the Ministry of Health of July 13, 2023. Listing in Table I – designated for the most dangerous substances – means that HHC is classified more strictly under Italian law than cannabis itself, which falls under Table II. The situation became further complicated from April 2025, when Italy reclassified hemp flowers and CBD oils as narcotics, thereby restricting the previously legal CBD market.

Poland

Poland banned HHC from April 14, 2023, as one of the first EU countries; HHC is listed there as a psychotropic substance in group I-P. Polish legislation approaches synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids very strictly: distribution, manufacture, and import are treated as criminal offenses regardless of quantity.

Austria

Austria banned HHC from March 23, 2023, by amending the ordinance on new psychoactive substances. Together with Finland and France, Austria is among the European pioneers in regulating HHC, and its decision preceded bans in most other countries by several months.

Slovakia

The ban in Slovakia went through a more complex legislative process. The National Council approved an amendment to the law on addictive substances in September 2024. From November 1, 2024, all HHC variants are banned – the ban does not apply merely to the specific compound 9-nor-9β-HHC but explicitly includes HHC-H, HHC-O, HHC-P, and HHCP, thereby preempting circumvention through structural analogs.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, HHC is not explicitly named in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but its manufacture, supply, and sale are banned through the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which covers any psychoactive substance without exception. In May 2025, the advisory body ACMD (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) recommended formal listing of HHC under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and Home Secretary Diana Johnson accepted the recommendation. HHC is thus de facto and de iure banned in the United Kingdom.

Netherlands

The Netherlands used to be cited as an exception, but HHC is a controlled substance there too: it is listed on List I of the Opium Act (Opiumwet, lijst I). The Netherlands is therefore not a country where HHC is legal.

UN Decision – Global Impact

The key moment of 2025 was the vote at the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on March 12, 2025. A total of 48 countries voted to place HHC on Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Countries supporting the ban included states with legal recreational cannabis, such as Canada and Uruguay, while the United States abstained.

Listing on Schedule II obligates all 184 signatory states of the Convention to restrict HHC exclusively to scientific, medical, and industrial purposes. The classification becomes effective 180 days after official notification, meaning that even states that previously left HHC without regulation had or have to adopt appropriate legal restrictions. The UN decision thus effectively closed the last regulatory loopholes that HHC manufacturers and distributors exploited.

What Remains Legal – CBD, CBG, CBN

Even after the extensive wave of bans on semi-synthetic cannabinoids, naturally occurring non-psychoactive cannabinoids are generally not on the lists of controlled substances; their status differs by country, so check local regulations.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

The status of CBD in Europe varies by country and by the permitted THC limit (0.2–1% depending on the country); check local regulations. In the Czech Republic, industrial hemp is hemp with a THC content of no more than 1%. All CBD products must meet general product safety requirements. An important caveat is that the EU has not yet approved any CBD product as a so-called novel food (new food), which persists as a source of legal uncertainty for food-based CBD products, particularly gummies and beverages.

CBG (Cannabigerol)

CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with a similar legal status to CBD. Check local regulations for its specific status in individual countries. As a so-called precursor cannabinoid, it serves in the hemp plant as the starting material for the biosynthesis of other cannabinoids, making it an interesting research and commercial target.

CBN (Cannabinol)

CBN is formed by natural oxidation of THC as hemp material ages and is characterized by mildly sedative effects. Its status depends on its origin and on the rules of the given country; check local regulations.

THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin)

The situation with THCV is more complex. Some countries – for example, Spain through order SND/380/2025 – included it in bans on semi-synthetic cannabinoids. In other countries, check local regulations for the status of THCV and follow the development of legislation.

Risks of HHC and of Buying It Abroad

Although HHC is banned in virtually all of Europe, some foreign e-shops continue to offer it. Purchasing such products carries serious risks:

• Legal risks: importing a banned substance is a criminal offense. The customs administration actively inspects shipments and confiscates goods containing HHC without compensation.
• Health risks: products from foreign e-shops typically do not undergo independent laboratory testing, may contain dangerous additives, or may have falsely declared content of active substances.
• Financial risks: a confiscated shipment means loss of the paid amount without the possibility of complaint or compensation.
• Risk of counterfeiting: products marketed as "legal HHC alternatives" may actually contain banned substances or as-yet-unidentified synthetic cannabinoids with unknown safety profiles.

HHC has not been approved as a medicine, and its effects and safety are not sufficiently researched. It is psychoactive, its use can lead to a positive THC test, and it impairs the ability to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is HHC Still Banned in the Czech Republic?

Yes. HHC is a psychotropic substance under Annex 4 of Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Sb., and derivatives such as HHCP or HHC-C8 are scheduled psychoactive substances under Government Regulation No. 11/2025 Sb. Manufacturing, selling, offering and possessing them without a licence is illegal. The international UN decision from March 2025 further confirms this ban and at the level of signatory states practically excludes any change in legal status in the foreseeable future.

Is There a Country in Europe Where HHC is Legal?

HHC is banned in, among others, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Romania, and Italy bans its derivatives. In many other EU countries, HHC is also a controlled substance; for other countries, check local regulations.

Will I Face Punishment for Ordering HHC from Abroad?

Yes. Importing HHC into the Czech Republic is prohibited. Customs administration inspects and confiscates shipments. Importing a controlled substance can be classified as a criminal offense regardless of quantity. Shipments from the Netherlands or other countries are not exceptions in this regard.

Is 10-OH-HHC a Legal Alternative?

The situation with 10-OH-HHC, a metabolite of HHC, is legally unclear. In some countries, it falls under general definitions of banned HHC derivatives; elsewhere, it is not explicitly regulated. Given the general trend of tightening regulation of semi-synthetic cannabinoids, we recommend maximum caution – it is likely that this substance will also be placed on controlled substance lists in most European countries in the near future.

What About CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) has no psychoactive effects. In the Czech Republic, hemp extract and tincture with no more than 1% THC are not addictive substances. In other countries, THC limits and food rules differ, so check local regulations. Over-the-counter CBD products are not approved medicines.

Why Was HHC Banned When Cannabis Is Partially Legalized in the Czech Republic from 2026?

These are two different regulatory approaches. The legalization of home cannabis cultivation (law effective from January 1, 2026) applies to natural cannabis with controlled THC content, whose safety profile is known from decades of research. HHC, on the other hand, is a semi-synthetic substance created by chemical transformation, whose long-term health effects are not sufficiently studied. Regulators therefore approach natural cannabis and semi-synthetic cannabinoids differently, despite their apparent similarity.

Summary

The year 2026 is the year when HHC effectively ceased to be legal in a large part of Europe, including the Netherlands. The UN decision from March 2025 created an international legal framework obligating 184 signatory states to regulate HHC at the level of controlled psychotropic substances. For Czech consumers, the rule is clear: HHC and its derivatives are banned, including imports from abroad.

In Czechia, non-psychoactive cannabinoids such as CBD from industrial hemp with no more than 1% THC are not on the lists of controlled substances; in other countries, check local regulations for their status.