A few years ago HHC and THCP were sold legally in many European countries. Today they are regulated almost everywhere. Online overviews are still confusing: most country lists come from shops, give no dates or contradict each other. This article sorts out what is documented and what is not. It is not legal advice and not an encouragement to use anything.
The international frame
In March 2025 the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), at its 68th session, decided to place hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in Schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The WHO describes HHC as a semi-synthetic cannabinoid and says there is sufficient evidence of a public health problem. Secondary sources give 6 December 2025 as the date it took effect. The WHO release itself does not state a date.
Importantly, the treaty obliges states, but implementation is national law. There is no EU-wide ban on THCP, whatever some websites claim.
Country by country
Unless noted, the details below come from secondary sources. Exact substances and penalties need to be checked in each legal text.
- Germany: The Fifth Ordinance amending the annex of the New Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG) was published in the Federal Law Gazette on 26 June 2024 and took effect on 27 June 2024. Reports say it bans manufacture, trade, acquisition and import, export and transit of HHC and derivatives. Sources differ on whether mere possession is an offence. Reports say the NpSG was extended again on 2 December 2025, including derivatives such as 10-OH-HHC.
- Netherlands: According to Staatsblad 2026, 11, HHC has been on List I of the Opium Act since 28 January 2026 (decree of 19 January 2026). Several retailer sites claim HHCP and THCP are also covered. In the excerpts I could check, only HHC appears. Older pages from mid-2025 still describe HHC as legal there.
- France: Secondary sources say HHC has been a narcotic since 12 June 2023. See our report on the French HHC ban.
- Italy: Banned since 28 July 2023 (Ministry of Health decree of 13 July 2023, covering HHC, HHC acetate and HHC-P).
- Spain: Banned since 23 April 2025 under ministerial order SND/380/2025, reportedly also covering HHCP, THCP, THC-O and H4-CBD.
- Austria, Poland, Slovakia: Bans since March 2023 (Austria), April 2023 (Poland) and 1 November 2024 (Slovakia). These dates come from a single overview.
- Czechia: HHC and derivatives are on the national lists. Sources give different dates.
- United Kingdom: De facto banned via the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. In May 2025 the ACMD advisory council recommended formal listing.
Where sources disagree
- Older overviews still list Spain, Ireland or Greece as countries without a ban. Newer pages say otherwise.
- For Czechia, Ireland, Malta, Bulgaria and Romania most sources omit the legal basis.
- Almost all country lists come from retailers, who have an interest in a particular picture.
