Hong Kong bans CBD, labeled as ‘dangerous drug’

Hong Kong will ban CBD starting Wednesday, classifying it as a “dangerous drug” and stipulating stiff penalties for smuggling, manufacturing and possession, customs authorities announced today. Friday.

Advocates say CBD can treat a variety of ailments including anxiety and that, unlike its more famous cousin THC—which is already illegal in Hong Kong—CBD does not. make users coffee. Cannabidiol, derived from the cannabis plant, was formerly legal in Hong Kong, where bars and shops sell products containing it.

But the Hong Kong government last year decided to ban the cannabis-derived substance – a change that will take effect soon. Residents have three months from October 27 to dispose of their CBD products in special boxes set up around the city.

“Starting February 1, cannabidiol, aka CBD, will be considered a dangerous substance. drug and will be monitored and managed by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,” customs intelligence officer Au-Yeung Ka-lun said at a press conference.

“From that moment on, it will be illegal to transport CBD for sale, including import and export, as well as the production, possession and consumption of CBD,” said Au-Yeung.

The penalties include life imprisonment and a HK$5 million ($638,000) fine for importing, exporting or producing CBD. Possession of the substance can result in a sentence of up to 7 years and a fine of HK$1 million ($128,000).

When it announced the ban last year, the Hong Kong government cited the difficulty of isolating pure CBD from cannabis, the potential for THC contamination in the manufacturing process, and the relative ease with which CBD can be transferred. converted to THC.

“We will tackle all kinds of dangerous drugs from any angle and from any target, and intelligence-led enforcement action is our primary goal,” said Chan Kai-ho, a commander. division of the Airfield Command, told reporters on Friday.

Despite the harsh penalties prescribed, Chan said authorities will handle enforcement on a case-by-case basis and “seek legal advice from our Department of Justice to determine what actions to take.” What will be the next move?”

Hong Kong maintains a number of “dangerous drugs”, including “heavy drugs” such as heroin and cocaine, as well as marijuana.

Hong Kong’s first CBD cafe is opening in 2020, and this ban will force a lot of businesses to phase out chewing gum, beverages and other products containing CBD, or close down altogether.

The ban is in line with a zero-tolerance policy on drugs in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous business hub in southern China, as well as in mainland China, where CBD was banned in 2022.

The Chinese regime has waged wars against heroin and methamphetamine, especially in the southwest bordering the drug-producing Golden Triangle that spans parts of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.

Criminal penalties for both sale and use are also enforced for marijuana. In one of the most famous cases, Jaycee Chan, son of Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan, served a six-month sentence in 2014-2015 for allowing people to consume marijuana in his apartment. in Beijing amid the crackdown on illegal drugs in Beijing. capital of China.

At the same time, China is a major source of precursors used to make the dangerous drug fentanyl, a trade often facilitated through social media.

As an affluent financial center of Asia with a thriving trading port and major international airport, Hong Kong is an important entry point into China as well as a market for some drugs, especially especially cocaine. Police recently seized hundreds of kilograms of drugs worth tens of millions of dollars, some hidden in a shipment of chicken feet from Brazil.

Most Asian countries maintain strict drug laws and enforce severe penalties for violators, including the death penalty, with the exception of Thailand, which has legalized the cultivation and possession of drugs. owned marijuana last year.

Debate over CBD policy continues in many countries and regions.

The US Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday that there is not enough evidence for CBD to confirm that it is safe to consume in food or as a dietary supplement. It called on Congress to create new rules for the large and growing market.

Cannabis-based products are becoming increasingly popular in lotions, tinctures, and foods, while their legal status remains obscure in the United States, where several states have legalized them. Legalization or legalization of substances is still illegal federally.

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