Netherlands Bans HHC: Added to Hard-Drug List I From January 28, 2026
The semi-synthetic cannabinoid sold in vapes and gummies is now on the same Opium Act list as cocaine. Seven other substances went on List I and two on List II.
This story is about the Netherlands — not the country you picked in the header.
Key takeaways
- HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) was added to List I of the Opium Act by an order signed January 19, 2026, published January 27 and in force January 28.
- The order added ten substances in total: HHC and seven others to List I, bromazolam and carisoprodol to List II.
- HHC had escaped the July 1, 2025 group ban on synthetic cannabinoids because it is semi-synthetic.
- The move follows the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs' March 2025 decision to control HHC internationally.
The Dutch government added HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) to List I of the Opium Act with effect from January 28, 2026, closing a gap that had let HHC vapes and edibles circulate outside both the coffeeshop system and the drug laws.
What the order changed
The general administrative order (AMvB) was signed on January 19, 2026 and published in the Staatsblad on January 27, taking effect the next day, cannabisindustrie.nl reported. The Opium Act text now lists HHC by its chemical name on List I.
| Substance | New list |
|---|---|
| HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) | List I |
| 2-fluorodeschloroketamine, butonitazene, dipentylone, etonitazepipne, metonitazepyne, norisotonitazene, protonitazepyne | List I |
| Bromazolam, carisoprodol | List II |
Article 2 of the Opium Act prohibits importing, growing, preparing, processing, selling, supplying, transporting, possessing or manufacturing List I substances.
Why it matters to buyers
HHC had sat in a gray zone. It was not listed, and the July 1, 2025 ban on whole groups of designer drugs (List IA), which targeted spice-type synthetic cannabinoids, did not catch it because HHC is semi-synthetic, cannabisindustrie.nl explains.
Anyone who bought HHC products online or in smart shops now holds a List I substance. Products labeled HHC may also contain other cannabinoids; Verdex's view is that any vape or gummy sold as a "legal high" should be treated as unknown. Our explainer on THC vapes and gummies in the Netherlands covers what is sold on the street.
How the Netherlands got here
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs decides to control HHC under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, following WHO advice.
The Dutch group ban on new psychoactive substances (List IA) takes effect; HHC is not covered.
The order adding HHC and nine other substances is signed.
HHC is on List I of the Opium Act.
The Netherlands is not alone. Czechia's government decided on March 16, 2026 to move HHC from its list of psychoactive substances to its list of addictive substances, citing the same UN decision. Whether related compounds such as HHCP and THCP will follow in the Netherlands was still open, cannabisindustrie.nl noted.
FAQ
Is HHC legal in the Netherlands?
No. Since January 28, 2026, HHC is on List I of the Opium Act, the hard-drug list. Selling, making and possessing it are prohibited.
Why was HHC not banned earlier in the Netherlands?
HHC is semi-synthetic, so the July 1, 2025 group ban on synthetic cannabinoids did not cover it. It needed its own listing, which followed the UN's 2025 decision to control it internationally.
Does the HHC ban affect coffeeshops?
Not their normal products. Weed and hash remain on List II, and coffeeshops were never allowed to sell List I substances such as cannabis oil.
Which other substances were banned with HHC?
Seven others went on List I, including several nitazene opioids and 2-fluorodeschloroketamine. Bromazolam and carisoprodol were added to List II.
Sources
- Officiële bekendmakingen (Overheid.nl) — Staatsblad 2026, 11 · Jan 27, 2026
- wetten.overheid.nl — Opiumwet, lijst I · Sep 17, 2026
- cannabisindustrie.nl — HHC in Nederland sinds 28 januari 2026 verboden · checked Jan 2026
- Rijksoverheid — Designerdrugsverbod vanaf 1 juli van kracht · Jul 1, 2025
- Vláda České republiky — Informace k zařazení látky HHC na Seznam návykových látek · Mar 16, 2026
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