No—HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is not legal in Virginia.
Virginia prohibits intoxication-causing hemp cannabinoids that are chemically altered or derived through synthetic processes. Although the state does not use the term “HHC” specifically in statute, regulators and enforcement guidance place cannabinoids like HHC, Delta-8, Delta-10, THC-O, and similar analogs outside the legal hemp market.
Under current law, intoxicating cannabinoids are treated as controlled substances unless sold through the state’s regulated cannabis system (medical or adult-use), and even then, HHC is not permitted. Below is a clear breakdown for 2025.
Virginia’s Legal Framework for Cannabinoids
❌ Illegal to sell
Retailers, smoke shops, CBD stores, gas stations, and online hemp sellers cannot legally sell HHC.
❌ Illegal to manufacture
Producing, converting, or processing HHC from CBD or other hemp extracts is prohibited.
❌ Illegal to distribute or ship
Shipping HHC into or within Virginia is a violation of state drug laws.
❌ Illegal to market or advertise
Advertising HHC as intoxicating or psychoactive is also restricted.
✔ Limited exception
Licensed medical or adult-use cannabis dispensaries may sell state-approved THC products (Delta-9), but not HHC.
Why Virginia Bans HHC and Similar Cannabinoids
Virginia law emphasizes safety, regulatory clarity, and control over intoxicating substances. Regulators have explained that:
- Chemically altered cannabinoids are not part of the hemp program
- Intoxicating compounds should remain in the cannabis regulatory framework
- Unregulated intoxicants pose health and enforcement challenges
Since HHC is typically produced via chemical conversion (hydrogenation) from hemp cannabinoids, it does not meet the definition of a naturally derived hemp product under VA law.
Which Cannabinoids Are Restricted in Virginia
Virginia prohibits:
- HHC
- Delta-8 THC
- Delta-10 THC
- THC-O
- THCP and HHC-O
- Synthetic or semi-synthetic THC analogs
Even products containing trace amounts of these compounds can trigger enforcement.
What Hemp Products Are Still Legal in Virginia
✔ Legal (non-intoxicating)
- CBD isolate
- Broad-spectrum CBD (no THC)
- CBG, CBN, CBC
- Hemp topicals
- Hemp fiber and industrial hemp
❌ Prohibited
- Any intoxication-causing cannabinoid outside the regulated cannabis system
- HHC, Delta-8, Delta-10, THC-O, THCP, etc.
Non-intoxicating hemp products remain legal because they do not produce a psychoactive effect.
Can You Order HHC Online in Virginia?
❌ No
Reputable brands block shipping HHC to Virginia due to state enforcement risks.
Shipping HHC into the state may result in seizure or legal compliance issues for the seller.
Age Requirements (If HHC Were Allowed)
If Virginia ever allowed HHC under a regulated program, likely age limits would mirror cannabis:
-
21+ only for purchase
But HHC remains prohibited as of 2025.
FAQs
Is HHC legal in Virginia?
No. Virginia bans HHC as an intoxicating cannabinoid.
Why is HHC banned in Virginia?
It’s treated as a controlled substance, not permitted under the hemp program, and not approved for sale in the cannabis system.
Can stores sell HHC in Virginia?
No. Retail sales are illegal statewide.
Can HHC be shipped to Virginia?
No. Shipping HHC into Virginia is not permitted.
Are CBD products legal?
Yes. Non-intoxicating hemp products like CBD are legal.
Can dispensaries sell HHC?
No. Licensed dispensaries sell only state-approved cannabis products (Delta-9, not HHC).
What Virginia Consumers Should Know in 2025
- HHC is effectively banned for sale, distribution, and manufacture
- Buying HHC online is not legal
- Compliance is enforced more stringently than in many other states
- CBD and non-psychoactive hemp products remain available
Virginia is tightening its approach to any cannabinoid that produces psychoactive effects outside the regulated cannabis framework.
Conclusion
Virginia’s cannabinoid laws draw a firm line: intoxicating compounds made through chemical conversion—like HHC—are prohibited outside the state’s regulated cannabis system, and even within that system, HHC is not permitted. Retailers cannot sell HHC, and shipping or manufacturing it in the state violates current law.
Bottom line:
As of 2025, HHC is not legal in Virginia. Consumers who want legal THC products must rely on the state’s approved cannabis market (Delta-9) rather than unregulated hemp-derived cannabinoids.