10-OH-HHC ban from September 26?

Update: Results of the Meeting

On September 26, the Federal Council actually decided on various bans. Here’s what you need to know:

• Vaping and smoking in the car will be banned; if children are present in the car, heavy fines may apply.
• Nitrous oxide and GHB will be banned through a legislative process (expected to take about three months).
• LSD ban: It was approved without comment. This means the ban is coming—what remains unclear is exactly when. It could take effect at any time now.

The major sixth amendment to the NpSG (including 10-OH, ETMC, NB-DMT) as well as the final version of the LSD law have not yet been decided. However, since there is urgency, the LSD ban could pass the Bundestag as early as next week.

What does this mean for 10-OH-HHC?

Many expected that 10-OH-HHC would also be addressed at the meeting. As things currently stand, however, that was not the case. The substance therefore remains legally available for now, but it could be added to the agenda at a later meeting.

 

Update: 10-OH-HHC likely not on the agenda

According to current information, the meeting on September 26 will only address nitrous oxide and 1S-LSD. 10-OH-HHC is therefore probably not on the agenda. However, it is not completely ruled out—the topic could be revisited at a later date.

 

On September 26, a decision will be made regarding a possible 10-OH-HHC ban. It is very likely that the substance will then be added to the list. This move continues the political course of gradually banning semi-synthetic cannabinoids. And it is not just 10-OH-HHC itself that is affected—variations such as 10-OH-THC and 10-OH-HHC-P are also under consideration.

Why 10-OH-HHC is now in the spotlight

After HHC was banned in summer 2024, 10-OH-HHC quickly became the next alternative. Shops promoted it because it has similar effects but was not yet regulated. This pattern—new variant, same effect—has repeatedly sparked debate in recent years. The planned 10-OH-HHC ban aims to close this loophole.

Which substances besides 10-OH-HHC could be affected

The discussion goes beyond a single molecule. It is expected that other variants will also be discussed at the meeting. 10-OH-THC and 10-OH-HHC-P, which have similar structures, are of particular interest. The goal is to avoid having to respond every time a slightly modified derivative appears on the market. Whether additional substances will be included remains uncertain, but it is possible.

Consequences of the ban

For consumers, the ban primarily means that products containing 10-OH-HHC will disappear from shops. If you have already purchased something, there is no need to worry—possession is generally not punishable. However, retailers and manufacturers will no longer be allowed to sell such substances. This will reduce the range of available products, so it is worthwhile to look for alternatives in advance.

Legal alternatives and outlook

Even if 10-OH-HHC is likely to be banned, there are still legal cannabinoids available. H4CBD is one example that has been offered as a milder substitute for some time. How long such substances will remain on the market is difficult to predict. However, it is clear that the 10-OH-HHC ban is another step in a series of restrictions that could eventually affect all known HHC derivatives.