Experts across Europe warn of “kiosk drug”

HHC is one of the more than 100 cannabinoids and occurs in very small amounts in the hemp plant, which is why it is synthetically processed. Experts are also warning in Austria. Lisa Brunner, Head of the Institute for Addiction Prevention of Addiction and Drug Coordination Vienna, classified HHC as problematic compared to the “standard”: There are “no studies on the long-term effects”, but the short-term effects of the substance are still largely unexplored. In addition, during the manufacturing process “various by-products can arise, some of which have not been identified or cannot be determined”. These would then be consumed without being recognized. Brunner’s attitude is clear: “If the risk is not known, there can be no risk-aware handling of it!”