HHCP vs. THCP: Gas-Station Cannabinoids That Mimic Hard Drugs
The New Wave of Cannabinoids
With Delta-8 and Delta-10 facing increasing regulations, convenience store shelves now carry newer cannabinoids like HHC-P and THCP. Marketed as “legal highs,” these compounds often produce much stronger, and riskier, effects than traditional THC (DEA, 2023).
What Is THCP?
- Potency: Binds up to 30 times more strongly to CB1 receptors than THC (Citti et al., 2019).
- Effects: Extreme euphoria, sedation, hallucinations, and sometimes paranoia.
- Risks: Overuse can lead to panic attacks, psychosis, and addiction patterns.
What Is HHC-P?
- A hydrogenated form of THC, chemically modified for longer-lasting and unpredictable effects.
- Often sold in vape carts and edibles with no quality control.
- Users report intense highs that mimic harder drugs like hallucinogens (NIDA, 2023).
HHCP vs THCP: Key Differences
| Feature | HHC-P | THCP |
|---|---|---|
| Potency | Stronger than Delta-9 but less studied | Up to 30x stronger than THC |
| Duration | Longer-lasting high | Intense but shorter-acting |
| Risks | Anxiety, rapid heart rate, dependence | Hallucinations, psychosis, ER visits |
| Legality | Sold in a legal gray area | Same, varies by state |
Why Families Should Worry
Both HHC-P and THCP are completely unregulated. They are often mislabeled, contaminated, or far stronger than advertised. Because of this unpredictability, young adults experimenting with these products may end up experiencing effects closer to hard drugs than marijuana.
How Sanctuary Helps
Our cannabis treatment program helps clients struggling with cannabinoid misuse by focusing on withdrawal stabilization, dual diagnosis treatment, and relapse prevention tools for long-term success.
FAQs
Are HHC-P and THCP legal?
Their legality varies by state, but most are sold in gas stations and smoke shops under a loophole in hemp laws (DEA, 2023).
Which is stronger?
THCP is significantly more potent, though HHC-P’s duration makes it equally concerning (Citti et al., 2019).
Can these substances mimic harder drugs?
Yes. Reports show users experiencing hallucinations and psychosis, effects more common with stronger illicit drugs (NIDA, 2023).
Sources
Drug Enforcement Administration. (2023). Emerging synthetic cannabinoids report. https://www.dea.gov/documents/2023/2023-annual-emerging-drug-threats-report
Citti, C., et al. (2019). A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 20335. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-56785-1
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023). Synthetic cannabinoids drug facts. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/synthetic-cannabinoids
