Is HHC legal in India?

Legal status

Controlled in India. The matched entry reads «110ZZJ Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) 6,6,9-Trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydrobenzo[c]chromen-1-ol», at serial 110ZZJ of the Act's Schedule, the list of psychotropic substances.

Consequences if caught

Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, the NDPS Act, punishes a contravention in relation to psychotropic substances in three quantity bands. A small quantity carries rigorous imprisonment which may extend to 1 year. A quantity greater than small but less than commercial carries rigorous imprisonment which may extend to 10 years. A commercial quantity carries rigorous imprisonment of 10 to 20 years, and that lower figure is a statutory minimum rather than a starting point. The fine runs with the band: up to 10,000 rupees at small quantity, up to 1 lakh rupees in the middle band, and 1 lakh to 2 lakh rupees at commercial quantity, and the court may record reasons for a higher fine. Section 27 punishes consumption, with rigorous imprisonment up to 1 year and a fine up to 20,000 rupees for cocaine, morphine, diacetylmorphine and any substance notified in that behalf, and imprisonment up to 6 months and a fine up to 10,000 rupees for anything else. Every offence under the Act is cognizable, but the section 37 bail bar reaches only sections 19, 24 and 27A and offences involving a commercial quantity. Section 31 raises the ceiling to one and one half times after a previous conviction, and section 64A gives an addict charged under section 27 or with a small quantity immunity on completing recognised de-addiction treatment. No band has been set for this row: the quantity notification carries no entry for it. Section 31A does not reach this row: its table names only opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, thebaine, cocaine, hashish, LSD, the listed THC isomers, methamphetamine, methaqualone and amphetamine, with their salts and preparations, and this row is not among them. No small or commercial quantity has been notified for it: the quantity notification was last amended by S.O. 1731(E) of 16 April 2025 and the publisher's notifications page shows no 2026 amendment of it, so the band that decides the sentence has not yet been set. Those figures are given because they describe the offences that this row's placement brings into play.

If prescribed or medical

It is sold through the semi-synthetic cannabinoid trade and no Indian medicine contains it.

Documentation

This is the newest entry in the Indian Schedule. S.O. 906(E) of 18 February 2026 inserted it and carisoprodol after serial 110ZZI, and its own clause 2 brings it into force on publication with no transitional period. India's essential narcotic drugs for medical and scientific use, notified under section 2(viiia) by S.O. 1181(E) of 5 May 2015, are codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine and oxycodone; a traveller carrying one should carry the prescription with the original packaging, bring only a reasonable personal quantity and declare it at customs. Tramadol was added to the Act's psychotropic Schedule in 2018 and its commercial quantity is 250 g.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with India’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.