Delta-8, HHC and the semi-legal cannabinoids
This version has been translated from Polish and links to the relevant test kits have been added. In a life-threatening situation call 112. This article is informational and serves harm reduction. It does not encourage the use of psychoactive substances and does not replace medical advice.
These are real cannabinoids, which is the whole point and the whole problem. Delta-8-THC, HHC, THCP, H4CBD and the rest bind the same receptor as delta-9-THC and are chemically close enough that the 4-AP reagent reacts to all of them, so a correct cannabinoid reaction confirms you have a cannabinoid and tells you nothing about which one you have.
That makes them the opposite case to the synthetic cannabinoids, which do not react at all and are dangerous for that reason.
Single-use cannabinoid test, 3.65 EUR · Cannabis 4-AP reagent, 7.30 EUR
Which synthetic cannabinoids are on the market
They turn up constantly in lab results
Of 169 published cannabis samples, delta-8-THC appeared in 41, CBN in 31 and CBG in 28. Some of that is deliberate product formulation and some is not: CBN in particular forms as THC degrades, so a high CBN figure usually indicates an old or poorly stored sample rather than an added ingredient.
| Detected | Samples |
|---|---|
| CBD | 63 |
| Delta-8-THC | 41 |
| CBN | 31 |
| CBG | 28 |
What is in cannabis and CBD products · Browse the alerts database
A plate separates what a bottle cannot
TLC shows each cannabinoid as its own spot at its own height, so a sample sold as high-THC flower that is mostly CBD and CBN is visible in one look, and so is delta-8 in a product sold as delta-9. Against a reference it also gives you a percentage, which is what the cannabinoid quantity kit is built for.
Cannabinoid quantity kit, 77.65 EUR · Cannabinoids and cuts kit, 21.91 EUR · How a TLC test works
Questions?
Will the 4-AP reagent tell delta-8 from delta-9?
No. Both are cannabinoids and both react. Use a plate.
Is HHC detected by the reagent?
It reacts as a cannabinoid. Identifying it specifically needs chromatography.
Why is there CBN in my flower?
CBN forms as THC degrades, so it usually indicates age or poor storage.
Are these safer than synthetic cannabinoids?
They are a different class entirely. The synthetics are full CB1 agonists and are the ones associated with seizures and cardiac events.