HHC vs. Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC: What Are the Differences?

In today’s current cannabinoid market, there are so many different types of cannabinoids and that can be very confusing.  What is HHC? What Delta 8 THC? What is Delta 9 THC?

What are the differences between HHC, Delta 9 and Delta 8? Great question!

These three cannabinoids offer similar effects but in slightly different ways. Their chemical structures are also similar but differ in their atomical arrangement, and this also affects their overall experience. Distinguishing what experience you want will help you tailor your best fits out of these three cannabinoids.

In this blog, we will take a better look into the vast world of cannabinoids and explore all the differences between HHC, Delta 8 THC, and Delta 9 THC to help you select the best option for you. 

Table of Contents:

• Key Takeaways
• What Are The Differences Between HHC, D8 THC, & D9 THC?
• What is HHC?
• What Is Delta 8 THC?
• What Is Delta 9 THC?
• Chemical Structure Of HHC & THC Compared
• Legality Comparison
• How Easy Is It to Find HHC, Delta 8 THC, & Delta 9 THC?
• Which Of These Cannabinoids Is Naturally Occurring?
• Which Of These Cannabinoids Are The Most Expensive?
• Will HHC, Delta 8, or Delta 9 THC Affect Drug Testing?
• HHC vs Delta 8 & Delta 9 THC
• Why ATLRx Is The Best Place to Buy Your Cannabinoid Products
• HHC Products At ATLRx
• Delta 9 THC Products At ATLRx
• Delta 8 THC Products At ATLRx
• Disclaimer

Key Takeaways

• Chemical Structure Differences: The main difference among HHC, Delta 8, and Delta 9 THC lies in their molecular structure, particularly the placement and presence of double bonds, which affect their interaction with the body’s receptors and overall user experience.
• Legality and Availability: While HHC and Delta 8 THC enjoy broader federal legality under current hemp regulations, Delta 9 THC is federally restricted but legal in 16 states. HHC’s scarcity and production challenges make it less available compared to Delta 8, which is widely accessible due to higher production rates.
• Stability and Bioavailability: HHC, lacking double bonds in its structure, is noted for its stability and resistance to heat and UV light but has lower bioavailability compared to Delta 9 THC, which impacts its effectiveness.
• Impact on Drug Testing: All three cannabinoids—HHC, Delta 8, and Delta 9 THC—are likely to result in a positive drug test. Despite their structural differences, common drug tests do not distinguish between these variants, potentially affecting users’ drug test outcomes.

What Are The Differences Between HHC, D8 THC, & D9 THC?

When we take a better look at cannabinoids from their molecular setup, they all abide by the same elements of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. What sets them apart is their arrangement of these elements.

Their elemental difference is that these three cannabinoids have the existence of a double bond in their structure on a molecular level.

In Delta 9 THC, the double bond is located on the ninth carbon in the central ring, while in Delta 8 THC, the double bond is located on the eighth carbon. HHC is different from the other two because it does not have a double bond at either position in its anatomical structure. Any other way, everything else about its atomical makeup is identical between these molecules. The way that these cannabinoids react to the receptors in our bodies in the way of the endocannabinoid system is similar, but the difference is the affinity that each has with our receptors. The CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system in the brain is less affine for Delta-8 THC than Delta-9 THC. HHC’s difference between the others is that it has a higher affinity to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors.

While the molecular framework is different, it plays a big part in how each of these cannabinoids affects the body. Keep reading this article to grasp more information about these three cannabinoids.

What is HHC?

HHC is also called hexahydrocannabinol in scientific terminology, is a cannabinoid that was discovered in the 1940s by an American chemist named Roger Adams. HHC was developed through a scientific process called hydrogenation. The process to make HHC requires a lab with sophisticated equipment. HHC is a cannabinoid that can be found in trace amounts in hemp plants but it can also be synthetically made. A hemp plant must first be extracted from CBD before HHC can be made. THC is most stable in its HHC form. When it comes to longevity and shelf life HHC’s known resistance to heat and UV radiation plays a large role.

What Is Delta 8 THC?

Delta-8- tetrahydrocannabinol also known as Delta 8 THC or D8 or just Delta 8 is the second most popular cannabinoid in today’s market. Delta 8 is an analog form of THC and is a naturally occurring isomer in hemp and cannabis. Delta 8’s rise to fame came when the legislation of the 2018 Farm Bill was passed.

Related Article: What Is Delta 8 THC?

What Is Delta 9 THC?

Delta 9 THC, D9 THC these are the short-form version of the name for Delta–9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the most famous of all cannabinoids in existence. This cannabinoid can be found in abundance in the cannabis plant and can be found in trace amounts in hemp plants. The history of Delta 9 THC has deep roots in the world and in the United States. Delta 9 is famously associated with the name marijuana, ganja, weed, and many more.

Related Article: Delta 9 THC: A Comprehensive Guide

The table below shows the similarities and differences between HHC, Delta 9 THC, and Delta 8 THC:

	HHC (hexahydrocannabinol)	Delta 8 THC(Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol)	Delta 9 THC(Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)
Chemical Structure	C21H3202	C21H3002	C21H3002
Legality	Legal in 38 states	Legal in 38 states	Legal in 16 states
Strength	80%	60%	100%
Availability	Low	High	Low
Natural or Synthetic	Natural/Synthetic	Natural	Natural
Cost	$$	$$	$$$
Cause You To Fail Drug Test	Yes	Yes	Yes

Chemical Structure Of HHC & THC Compared

As you can see from the table Delta 8 and Delta 9 have the same chemical formula and this can be confusing for some. Does this mean they have the same effects? Yes and no, even though Delta 9 and Delta 8 contain the same number of atoms: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Their molecular structure is different from each other.

Delta 8 THC’s carbon double-bond is in a different location than Delta 9 THC’s. That difference in location may seem small but it plays a large role in the effects they produce.

HHC is the outlier; it has two extra hydrogen atoms that fill the molecule’s carbon ring completely. This makes it more stable than both Delta 8 and Delta 9. HHC’s tradeoff for stability is that it has a lower bioavailability than Delta 9 THC.

Legality Comparison

Currently Delta-8 THC and HHC are considered federally legal but state-wise it is only legal in 38 states. While Delta-9 THC is not federally legal it is legal in 16 states. The 2018 Farm Bill also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 legalized hemp-derived cannabinoids that come from hemp with 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis at the federal level. Since then only 12 states have regulated Delta 8 THC by establishing restrictions or bans on its sale and possession. 

As of right now, there is no specific legislation for HHC anywhere in the United States, although most will assume that states with Delta 8 restrictions would have similar bans on HHC in court. The safest thing to do is to assume that the laws that apply to Delta 8 would also be applied to HHC.

How Easy Is It to Find HHC, Delta 8 THC, & Delta 9 THC?

Out of all three of these cannabinoids, HHC is the most difficult to find in the current cannabinoid market. The scarcity of HHC on the market and the fact that it is extremely difficult to produce makes it more expensive than Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC. Most people would assume that HHC products would be more widely available than Delta 9 due to their more relaxed legal status, but that is not the case.

If you are looking for a cannabinoid that is easy to buy and widely available then Delta 8 THC is your guy. Delta 8 is the easiest option out of the three cannabinoids. There are so many products being made from Delta 8 since the 2018 Farm Bill was passed, that it is surpassing Delta 9 in sales. Delta 8 enjoys the same widespread legality as HHC but is more established, meaning online vendors and dispensaries are more likely to have it on their shelves.

Delta 9 THC is only available in a select few states that have legalized it for medicinal and recreational use.

Which Of These Cannabinoids Is Naturally Occurring?

All three of these cannabinoids (HHC, Delta-8, and Delta-9) have been found naturally in cannabis samples as well as hemp samples. The most abundant of the three is Delta-9 THC by far. 

Delta 9 THC concentrations have been detected as high as 30% in some cannabis samples but for hemp is much lower. Delta 9 THC in hemp plants must be at .03% by dry weight basis for it to be considered federally legal. Both HHC and Delta 8 have been found with concentrations higher than 1% in the plant.

There are other forms of cannabinoids that have been found naturally such as THCP, THCB, THCC, and THCM.

Which Of These Cannabinoids Are The Most Expensive?

When we talk about price and which is the most expensive we need to think about the laws of supply and demand plus the regulatory fees.

The most abundant cannabinoid is Delta 9 THC which makes it the cheapest to make. The regulatory costs and low supply in non-legal states and the economical state the U.S is in have driven the price of Delta 9 up. Out of the three cannabinoids, Delta 9 is the most expensive.

HHC is the second priciest cannabinoid of the three. It is comparably cheap to make but since it is very new, the supply is not up to par with the demand. This results in the price being high.

The cheapest of the three, you guessed it! It’s Delta 8 THC because it’s really easy to make and there’s a large supply of it.  The fact that it is legal in most states makes the demand for it quite high as well.

Will HHC, Delta 8, or Delta 9 THC Affect Drug Testing?

YES, all three of these cannabinoids will cause you to fail a drug test if you take them within days of taking the test.

No matter if the drug test is urine, saliva, blood, or hair test they will all come up as positive (failed drug test). These tests are not made to determine which exact cannabinoid you have been using. They all detect THC metabolites and can’t differentiate among the three.

Everyone is different from each other in the way we process cannabinoids. Also depending on your dose, these factors will determine how long the cannabinoids will stay in your body. If you have a drug test coming up the best advice is to avoid all three of these cannabinoids. Detox your body, wait a proper amount of time to get it out of your system, and take a home drug test kit to see if you have it out of your body.

HHC vs Delta 8 & Delta 9 THC

 All three cannabinoids despite their similar chemical properties each offer a different experience that the other two do not. HHC is very popular for daytime use and Delta 8 is popular for afternoon or evening use.

The most important thing about Delta 9 THC and its derivatives is its legality. Both HHC and Delta 8 are considered federally legal, while Delta 9 is not federally legal; it is legal in 16 states.

People who live in states where Delta 9 THC is legal, they can use it for whatever purpose suits them best. For everyone else, HHC and Delta 8 THC are widely available with many different types of products for them to try. What not a lot of people know is that Delta 9 THC is legal for you as well as long it is hemp-derived. Whatever situation you are in there is at least one of these cannabinoids available for you.

Why ATLRx Is The Best Place to Buy Your Cannabinoid Products

We at ATLRx believe in transparency and that is our policy. All our products have COAs and are lab tested for contaminants, potency, residuals, and pesticides to ensure the best quality and safety that we can. Our certificates of analysis (COAs) come from the best labs in the US and are available on our website for the public to view. We have the best HHC products including the best HHC flower, Delta 8 flower, Delta 8 gummies, and the best hemp-derived Delta 9 products online!  Our hemp-derived Delta 9 gummies are made with the best ingredients.

Feel confident in knowing that when you buy hemp-derived products online, you are shopping with the best carrier of hemp products on the internet! When you purchase HHC, hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, and many other cannabinoids online at ATLRx you are saving yourself a tremendous amount of time and money.

We source 100% USA-grown hemp extracts in our manufacturing. We use only indoor premium-grown hemp, sourcing from amazing farms in Colorado, Oregon, and Northern California. The biggest difference between indoor vs. industrial (outdoor) is that indoor gets the love and attention it needs. Industrial (outdoor) hemp is grown in massive quantities; an industrial batch zeros in on mass amounts, and indoor hemp focuses more on quality giving the plants the sweet tender care it needs.

HHC Products At ATLRx

At ATLRx we carry several different types of HHC products. This includes HHC Dabs, HHC flower, and HHC shatter.

HHC Dabs

The HHC Dabs come in the form of 1 gram of premium HHC wax concentrate. There are two terpene strain selections to choose from: Fruit Punch and Pink Runtz.

• Fruit Punch is Sativa dominant product that originates from crossing Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze
• Pink Runtz is a balanced hybrid that is an original phenotype of the Runtz strain (crosses of Zkittles and Gelato).

HHC Flower 

The HHC flower at ATLRx comes in the premium strain called Wedding Cake. This strain has been taking the cannabis industry like a whirlwind in recent years. It is an Indica dominant strain that has aromas that can be described as rich and sweet. The strain is a cross between Animal Mints and Triangle Kush. This flower can be bought at multiple different weights.

• 8.90% CBG & 0.29 % Total THC & 7.41% HHC

HHC Shatter

HHC shatter is a type of concentrate that we at ATLRx provide for customers who want that extra punch. Our shatter comes in 1 gram container with two strains to select from Bomb Pop and Cannalope Haze:

• 1 gram (89.077% 890mg)

Delta 9 THC Products At ATLRx

At ATLRx you may find it surprising that we carry Delta 9 THC gummies, but don’t worry! This Delta 9 THC is 100% hemp-derived. Our hemp-derived Delta 9 gummies have lab reports to confirm that it is a high-quality product made with the best ingredients. You will have three sizing options to choose from:

• 116mg (10 Count 10mg)
• 232mg (20 Count 10mg)
• 58mg (5 Count 10mg)

Delta 8 THC Products At ATLRx

When it comes to Delta 8 THC products we carry the most variety of premium Delta 8 products in stock. You won’t find any other website that has the amount of variety that we do. We have so many options to choose from that it may be difficult to choose which one you want.  Our products are Delta 8 gummies, Delta 8 bars, Delta 8 caramels, Delta 8 THC Diamonds, Delta 8 THC flower, Delta 8 Shatter, Delta 8 soft gel capsules, Delta 8 THC tincture, Delta 8 THC wax, Delta 8 THCv Isolate, Delta 8 Water Soluble Isolate, Delta 8 Moon Rocks, and Delta 8 pre-rolls. WOW! That’s a lot of options!

As you can see on our website we have multiple different types of D8 gummies to choose from. A wide variety of strains in Delta 8 flowers. We have multiple strains in our moon rocks as well as our concentrates. So please take the time to look around on our website to see if anything tickles your fancy!

Disclaimer

As a disclaimer, we want to state that this content is strictly for informational purposes only. These statements have not been approved by the food and drug administration. It is also not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or ailments or to claim anykind of health benefits. This is not to be interpreted as instruction or medical advice to displace the advice of your doctors or other medical professionals. We highly recommend talking to your doctor or medical provider to prepare a treatment plan for any diseases or ailments.

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• Exclusive ATLRx HHC: White Lavender, Bringing Life to Full Bloom
• Where Can I Buy HHC Online In The USA?