Best HHC Vape Carts 2024
Relax and boost creativity with the top HHC carts. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a hemp-derived cannabinoid.
HHC vape cartridges make this trendy cannabinoid available to the vaping masses. While HHC has been known to chemists since the 1940s, it wasn’t until the early 2020s that the compound found its way into commercial cannabis products.
Since their rise to stardom, HHC vape carts have proven to be a fantastic alternative to THC carts. Although HHC is derived from hemp and has a similar molecular structure to THC, it produces a milder high.
This is desirable to those who use THC vape pens for productivity. Not all cannabis products cause extreme lethargy, and HHC is a shining example.
What are HHC Carts?
HHC carts are filled with hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) oil, a hemp-derived minor cannabinoid related to delta 9 THC (“THC”). While cannabis contains small amounts of naturally-occuring HHC, commercial manufacturers obtain it by converting legal, hemp-derived CBD into HHC. This is the more cost-effective route.
Just like THC carts or other oil cartridges, HHC oil is held in a glass cylinder called the chamber. Attached to every chamber is a coil and atomizer. Using heat from the coil, the atomizer converts oil into vapor. Simply activate your battery and inhale through the HHC cart’s mouthpiece.
Half-gram and one-gram HHC carts are the most common sizes. In general, carts will last for 200 to 400 hits, depending on cart size and usage habits. Taking huge puffs of your vape—especially over three seconds—will deplete the oil faster.
These carts rarely contain pure HHC. They usually feature a blend of terpenes and cannabinoids, such as non-intoxicating compounds like CBD or psychoactive compounds like delta 8 and delta 10. Potency varies depending on the manufacturer, though most carts contain 50-90% HHC.
The majority of HHC oil carts are 510 threaded. All you need to vape them is a compatible 510 thread battery or vape pen.
Do HHC vape carts get you high?
Yes, vaping HHC oil carts will get you high. HHC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid converted from CBD. Like the THC it emulates, HHC is intoxicating.
HHC has a similar molecular structure to delta 9 THC and interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Upon consumption, HHC binds to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, but with a lower affinity than THC. Some active HHC will bind to receptors, while the rest won’t. You’ll need to consume high doses of HHC to get effects comparable to THC.
From the onset of your high, the effects of vaping HHC carts will last for two to six hours. Expect your high to peak between the one-hour and 90-minute marks.
The effects of HHC are distinct from THC, as they are far less intense. Rather than the mental and physical heaviness triggered by THC, vaping HHC promotes a clear-headed high. It’s optimal if you’re seeking to boost concentration. While some HHC strains may make the user sleepy, this lethargy is mild compared to THC.
How long does an HHC high last?
The length of an HHC high varies based on a few key factors:
Tolerance is also important; if you’re a regular user, you might experience very little from a puff of your HHC vape. On the bright side, HHC doesn’t accumulate in the body to the same extent as THC. While your tolerance will shift with time, it won’t build rapidly.
HHC highs tend to be shorter than a standard THC high. This is due, in part, to the lower binding affinity that we mentioned earlier. With less active HHC binding to cannabinoid receptors, the body can clear it out more efficiently.
An HHC high strikes quickly when you’re vaping, usually within fifteen minutes. Some users report effects within five minutes of their first puff.
Moderate doses of HHC will produce effects for two to three hours. The psychotropic effects can last for up to six hours with higher doses.
Are HHC cartridges safe?
HHC carts are believed safe to use as long as they are produced by reputable manufacturers that provide safety-testing results.
Steer clear of fake carts, regardless of the cheaper price tag. Shady sellers keep costs down by stuffing products with fillers and failing to invest in third-party safety testing. There’s no way to ensure what you’re actually vaping—it may not even contain HHC.
Additional research is needed to confirm the full side effects of vaping HHC.
HHC cartridges vs THC & delta 8 cartridges
Despite a lack of “THC” in the name, HHC carts have a lot in common with delta 9 and delta 8 THC carts. All three of these cannabinoids are psychoactive, inducing a sense of euphoria in the user.
Consuming HHC products will get you high, although the effects are milder than with “regular” THC. Instead, HHC is associated with a calming high and renewed focus. Some HHC carts can even help weed vapers get better sleep.
Delta 8 highs and HHC highs are similar; both are clear and subtle compared to delta 9. However, the effects of HHC don’t last as long. HHC carts are often less potent than delta 8 THC products.
Common THC side effects also apply to HHC, as well as other intoxicating cannabinoids (delta 8, etc.). If your past marijuana use has led to panic attacks or anxiety, be cautious when trying HHC. Start at a low dose — one or two short puffs — to get a better sense of the substance’s impact.
Are HHC carts legal?
Yes, HHC carts are federally legal in the United States. We can thank the 2018 Farm Bill for this, which legalized the production and sale of hemp-derived products (including ingestibles) like HHC, CBD, and delta 8 carts. The primary caveat is that these products must contain less than 0.3% delta 9 THC.
Keep in mind that states have the final say in HHC’s legality. Your state or region may have stricter HHC restrictions than the federal standard. HHC sales are fully banned in several US states, including Idaho, Utah, New York, Washington, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Arizona, and Nevada. Other states, such as Colorado and Rhode Island, have placed strict regulations on HHC products.
Laws around HHC are still evolving, so make sure to stay on top of local rules before buying.
How to use HHC vape carts
HHC vape carts are simple to use; all you need is a 510 thread battery or another compatible power source. Run through the following steps before taking your first puff.
How to choose the right HHC cart
The HHC cart market is growing, and there are already lots of options to choose from. One person’s perfect cart may be a poor choice for someone else. Before buying an HHC cart, consider what you want out of the vaping experience:
Finally, read reviews before purchasing a new HHC cart. Learn what other customers experienced before spending your money.
How to avoid buying fake HHC carts
Before purchasing any HHC carts, carefully review the manufacturer’s safety tests. Your cart should be tested for potency and dangerous contaminants. If you can’t find evidence of safety testing, you’re probably looking at a fake HHC cart. Reputable brands will display this information prominently on their websites.
Already have a cart in your hands, but still unsure of its authenticity? Check for dull, dark (brown or black) oil. Fake carts may possess thin, watery oil, or oil that’s so thick it moves like sludge.
If you tried vaping a cart and it produces a burnt, bitter, or overall unpleasant aroma, this could point to a fake cart. Either that, or it’s time to adjust your voltage and airflow settings.
Will HHC make you fail a drug test?
As of 2024, we don’t know for sure if HHC will cause a failed drug screening. It’s wise to steer clear as a precaution.
Urine, saliva, hair, and blood tests can identify THC or its metabolites, including 11-hydroxy-THC. This is the compound that most drug screenings are searching for. There’s evidence suggesting that, unlike delta 9 or delta 8 THC, HHC may not be converted into 11-hydroxy-THC during metabolization. If true, tests are less likely to pick up on HHC.
We’re waiting on additional studies to confirm or challenge this theory. If you know that a drug test is in your future, play it safe and avoid HHC, as well as all cannabinoids, like delta 8 and delta 10. Even some CBD products can contain traces of THC.