Partner at Fieldfisher LLP – Life Sciences Regulation and Enforcement
(Healthcare, Plant-Based Therapies, Vaping, Food/Agri-Tech and Regulated Substances)
🚨 THCA and HHC are set to become Class B controlled drugs in the UK.
The draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2026 has been laid before Parliament. It names 12 semi-synthetic cannabinoids as Class B (table attached), including HHC, 11-OH-THC and, most significantly, THCA-A and THCA-B.
Points to note:
⚡ A Commons debate scheduled for 26th October did not go ahead.
⚡ Therefore, the draft still needs approval from both Houses.
⚡ Once made, the Order comes into force 28 days later.
⚡ The Order targets isolates, “diamonds” and analogue products.
My best estimate – this will likely become law at some point in Q1 2027. With the Christmas period coming up, possibly Q2.
This development raises a number of interesting questions, including whether naming THCA expressly will change how trace THCA in CBD products is treated under the exempt product rules.
