It is a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid that has rarely been identified as a trace component in Cannabis sativa,[1][2] but can also be produced synthetically by firstly acid cyclization of cannabidiol and then hydrogenation of tetrahydrocannabinol.

HHC vaporizers have been openly sold at head shops and convenience stores since at least the early 2020s in North America and Europe.

[11][12] Several structurally related HHC analogs have been found to be naturally occurring in Cannabis including cannabiripsol,[13] 9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 7-oxo-9α-hydroxyhexa-hydrocannabinol, 10α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol, 10aR-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol and 1′S-hydroxycannabinol,[10] 10α-hydroxy-Δ(9,11)-hexahydrocannabinol and 9β,10β-epoxyhexahydrocannabinol.

The degradation of D9-THC that forms HHC is the reduction of the double carbon bonds that would typically make up the delta isomer position on THCs structure.

[19][verification needed] In Austria, HHC has been banned since 23 March 2023 due to the amendment of the New Psychoactive Substances Ordinance (known in German as Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung or NPSV).

[20] In France, the ANSM announced the ban on production, sale and use of HHC and two of its derivatives, HHCO and HHCP, from 13 June 2023.

[22] In Luxembourg, Ministry of Health announced on 1 August 2023 that HHC would be regulated in that country by extending its list of psychotropic substances from 2009 to all "synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists" and "synthetic cannabinomimetics [sic]", with semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as HHC falling within the scope of that regulation.

Previously, the German expert committee for narcotics had suggested that HHC be added to the annex of Novel Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG) [de] in a meeting on 4 December 2023.

[27] In Malta, Parliamentary Secretary of Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg announced on 27 September 2024 that "all HHC products will be banned from Maltese markets.