Psychoactive cannabinoids are unlikely to disappear from the market anytime soon. CBD is declining

The ban on HHC solved nothing, nor did the ban on HHC-P and other cannabinoids. What drug policy experts had predicted came true – the Czech and European markets continue to be flooded with various cannabis substitutes. THP420, HHC-A, THC-F1, TH4C, 10-OH-HHC, and other cannabinoids are available. While cannabis legalization is being discussed more often in the public space, we can safely say that actual legalization is still nowhere in sight.

If only it were that simple

Over the past year, the European cannabinoid market has changed significantly. Even though CZ governments have banned around 11 cannabinoids so far, reality shows that the cannabinoid business is far from over, and the market full of marijuana substitutes continues to grow. Banning compounds like HHC and its derivatives has not led to the desired improvements. Instead, new compounds are appearing that only complicate control and regulation. It’s a constant tug-of-war between sellers, producers, and the authorities.

You’re probably wondering what these compounds actually are. Maybe you tried Googling them and... didn’t find much, right? That’s because searching for terms like "THP420" or "THC-F1" mostly brings up e-shops selling the products. You’ll find very little about the substances themselves – their chemistry, effects, or risks. And it’s no surprise. These are entirely new and unexplored compounds – there simply isn’t much information available. Still, we’ll try to give you a basic idea.

THP420

This cannabinoid was introduced by Canapuff. “Effects similar to the original HHC, with almost immediate onset. Relaxing and calming sensations.” That’s how the manufacturer describes this unknown cannabinoid. Yes, unknown – because "THP420" doesn’t actually exist as a real chemical name. It’s a made-up brand name. The manufacturer doesn’t disclose the real substance behind it – presumably to make it harder for authorities to ban it again. According to EUDA (European Early Warning System), the actual substance is believed to be delta-9-THC methyl carbonate.

Here’s what the manufacturer says on their website:

"This product is legal in all EU countries known to us, including Czech Republic, Germany, France, and others. No prohibited substances are used. However, due to trade secrets, we will not disclose the exact composition. A COA (certificate of analysis) is available, showing testing for all banned substances and Spice-like compounds."

THP420 is reportedly stronger than HHC, with effects similar to HHC-O or THC-O. At higher concentrations, it can become slightly “trippy,” which might catch some users off guard. If you like to experiment, THP420 might be for you. But if you're looking for a reliable and familiar HHC/THC-like experience, keep reading.

HHC-A

You might call it hexahydrocannabinolic acid. It's a hydrogenated form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid – THC-A. THC-A is a compound naturally found in cannabis, especially in fresh, unprocessed plants. It’s the precursor to THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana.

Both THC-A and HHC-A are non-psychoactive in their raw form. If you eat them – for example in edibles – you won’t feel any effects (try eating fresh cannabis buds sometime – you won’t feel anything). The trick is, when the plant is dried and exposed to air and light, THC-A slowly converts into THC through oxidation. This process can be accelerated by sunlight. Since THC-A gradually turns into THC even under stable conditions, it is legally allowed up to 1% in the Czech Republic – just like THC.

When you increase the temperature to about 100 °C, a process called decarboxylation occurs – the molecule loses its carboxyl group and becomes psychoactive THC. This is exactly what happens when you smoke or vape cannabis. In other words, the “fun” only starts after heating.

HHC-A is not technically a phytocannabinoid (not naturally occurring in cannabis), but this is still up for debate – more research is needed. Since we know HHC occurs naturally, it’s possible that HHC-A exists naturally too, just like THC-A. So far, no study has confirmed this.

In our opinion (alongside 10-OH-HHC), HHC-A is the best substitute for banned HHC. If you've tried HHC, you'll know what to expect – the difference is barely noticeable. We especially recommend the flower form, where it works very similarly to THC thanks to the presence of CBD and other cannabinoids.

10-OH-HHC

The name looks intimidating, but don’t worry – 10-OH-HHC is one of the metabolites your liver produces when breaking down HHC. Simply put, when you consume HHC (especially in edibles), it gets converted to 10-OH-HHC in your liver. It’s just one of many metabolites, so the overall experience won’t be identical to smoking or vaping HHC – it may feel less balanced or complete.

Our take: a great HHC substitute with very similar effects. We rank it (alongside HHC-A) as the best HHC alternative currently available.

10-OH-HHCP

10-OH-HHCP is a hydroxylated derivative of hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHCP). Adding a hydroxyl group slightly changes the compound’s potency and effect profile. It’s known for strong binding affinity to CB1 receptors, which leads to stronger euphoric and relaxing effects. It’s a powerful alternative for those seeking intense cannabinoid experiences. Its effects also tend to last longer than other cannabinoids.

If you’ve tried HHCP before, this one will feel very similar – both in structure and experience. Like HHCP, it’s stronger than HHC, and its effects last longer. Just be aware that your tolerance matters a lot. For regular users, this might be a great pick – but for beginners, we don’t recommend it.

10-OH-THC

10-OH-THC (10-hydroxy-THC) is a metabolite of THC created in the body after ingesting THC. It is known to be more psychoactive than THC itself, meaning it can have stronger mental and physical effects. It’s one of the key players responsible for the high from edibles.

Our take: Don’t expect anything intense like HHCP – it's closer to the level of regular THC or HHC. Taste-wise, probably the weakest on this list.

THC-F1, TH4C

These cannabinoids, sold under brand names by Cannio, are virtually absent from the internet. The names are almost certainly fabricated. Unfortunately, we can't offer any concrete info either.

CBG9

CBG9 was already available before the first bans and is still sold by several vendors. “Effects similar to HHC, rapid onset. More calming. Much stronger than regular CBG – don’t confuse the two.” But again, like THP420, there’s almost no information available online. Based on the name, it likely originates from CBG.

Our take: Yeah, it does something, but nothing groundbreaking. It’s not terrible, but the other cannabinoids listed above are better. That’s why we decided even not to include CBG9 in our shop’s offer.

CBD is on the decline

Once incredibly popular during its boom years, CBD appears to be slowly fading from the spotlight. Both customers and suppliers confirm this trend. While cannabidiol still has its niche, it now feels more like a specialty for a select few. The market is saturated, and many users are turning toward products with psychoactive effects – which CBD lacks. Despite its health benefits, CBD’s non-psychoactive nature makes it less attractive for recreational users. The demand for CBD has clearly stabilized, while consumers are more focused on new and more "exciting" alternatives.

What’s next?

If nothing changes, the cycle will repeat itself: new psychoactive cannabinoids will keep appearing, bans will follow, and producers will come up with even newer compounds. Every few months, new abbreviations and strange names will hit the market – some might be real chemical compounds, others just vague marketing labels designed to confuse both consumers and lawmakers.

The demand for psychoactive cannabis-like substances clearly isn't going away. As long as marijuana remains illegal in many countries (or only partially legal), users will continue to look for alternatives. And as long as those alternatives remain in legal gray zones, someone will always be ready to offer them.

Many of these substances are created with the goal of bypassing legislation. That means not only is there very little information about them, but their safety is also completely unverified. The long-term health effects of many of these cannabinoids are unknown – nobody knows what regular use could lead to.

From the user’s perspective, this situation is confusing and potentially dangerous. From the seller’s perspective, it's a constant game of cat and mouse with regulators. And for authorities, it's a never-ending effort to catch up with something that always seems one step ahead.

And what about legalization?

The conversation about legalizing cannabis is finally happening in the Czech Republic. But the process is slow, and real change still seems far off. Although some proposals are already being discussed (like the creation of a regulated cannabis market), a final decision is nowhere in sight. And even if legalization eventually happens, it’s unclear what form it will take – and whether it will actually meet the needs of ordinary users.

So while the state focuses on banning one cannabinoid after another, the real solution – a clear, regulated, and safe cannabis market – still remains out of reach. Until that changes, psychoactive cannabinoids will continue to appear. And the question won’t be “Why do people use them?” but rather “What will show up next?”