UNODC EWA: The emergence of semi-synthetic cannabinoids

VIENNA, Austria – October 2023: Substances, which can be termed semi-synthetic cannabinoids as they can be manufactured from cannabidiol (CBD), continue to be reported to the UNODC EWA (see September 2023 – UNODC EWA: Number of NPS reported for the first time, at 10-years low).

Since 2022, a total of 26 countries have reported four different semi-synthetic cannabinoids: hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), hexahydrocannabinol acetate (HHC-acetate), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHCP), and – reported for the first time in 2023 – hydrogenated CBD or tetrahydrocannabidiol (H4-CBD). So far, all reports of semi-synthetic cannabinoids have been submitted by countries in Europe. From 2022 to October 2023, HHC has been reported by 25 countries and HHC-acetate, HHCP and H4-CBD each by three countries. A total of 27 reports of semi-synthetic cannabinoids were submitted in 2022 plus 40 reports until October 2023, with most of them involving HHC.

 Figure 1: Semi-synthetic cannabinoids reported to UNODC-EWA

Source: UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), 2023

For further information, please see:

UNODC Early Warning Advisory – September 2023 – UNODC EWA: Number of NPS reported for the first time, at 10-years low