HHC Classified as “Schedule II” by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and Drug Enforcement

At its session held today in Vienna, the United Nations Commission on Psychotropic Substances (CND) approved, by qualified majority, the recommendation to include hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The approval of the WHO recommendation was expected by the industry and was met with the abstention of only the United States of America. HHC is currently marketed in several countries as a substitute for THC. The UN decision represents an international ban on recreational and non-medicinal use.

During the 68th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and Narcotic Drugs, the item that has caused the most debate was approved: the classification of Hexahydrocannabinol as a prohibited substance. The proposal at issue is to include hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. During the meeting, several technical points were highlighted, including the fact that HHC can be consumed by inhalation, orally and sublingually. In addition, it was mentioned that the presence of HHC was also confirmed analytically in individuals driving under the influence of the substance and, after the presentation of this data, it was recommended that HHC be included in Schedule II.

The session did not receive any further comments or discussion from the delegates, who opened the session and immediately took the vote. According to Article 17, paragraph 2, of the 1971 Convention, a two-thirds majority – that is, at least 36 votes in favor – was required for approval of the recommendation. After the abstention of the United States of America, the following countries cast a favorable vote:

Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.

With the number of affirmative votes exceeding the required threshold, the committee decided to adopt the World Health Organization's recommendation to include HHC in Schedule II of the Convention. The inclusion of HHC in Schedule II will mean that all 184 signatory countries of the convention will be obliged to restrict the use of this substance exclusively to scientific and medical purposes, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule II – thus being subject to the implementation of prescription and licensing regimes for its production and distribution – and above all to the integration of HHC in their drug control strategies.

HHC is currently marketed as a recreational product, meaning this decision effectively represents an international ban on recreational, non-medicinal use.

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Antonio João Costa

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I am one of the directors of CannaReporter, which I founded together with Laura Ramos. I am from the unique Island of Madeira, where I currently reside. While I was in Lisbon at FCUL studying Physical Engineering, I became involved in the national hemp and cannabis scene and participated in several associations, some of which I am still a member of. I follow the global industry and especially legislative advances regarding the different uses of cannabis.

I can be contacted by email at joao.costa@cannareporter.eu

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