Hong Kong To Ban CBD Products From Next Month, Calls It A ‘Dangerous Drug’: Report

On Friday, January 27, the customs authorities in Hong Kong announced the decision to implement harsh penalties for CBD smuggling, production, and possession. Hong Kong will ban CBD from February.

Earlier, CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, was legal, and bars and shops were allowed to sell products containing it. However, last year, Hong Kong authorities decided to prohibit marijuana-derived substances.

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After Hong Kong took a decision on prohibiting Cannabidiol (CBD) last year, the country has gone ahead to ban the substance from February, 2023, calling it a “dangerous drug”.  On Friday, January 27, the customs authorities in Hong Kong announced the decision to implement harsh penalties for CBD smuggling, production, and possession, news agency AFP reported.

Those supporting CBD believe it can be used in treating a range of ailments including anxiety. They also believe that unlike its more famous cousin Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is already banned in Hong Kong, CBD doesn’t get its users high.

Earlier, CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, was legal, and bars and shops were allowed to sell products containing it. However, last year, Hong Kong authorities decided to prohibit marijuana-derived substances. From October 27 last year, people were given three months’ time to discard any products made from CBD in special boxes set up around the city.

“Starting from February 1, cannabidiol, aka CBD, will be regarded as a dangerous drug and will be supervised and managed by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,” customs intelligence officer Au-Yeung Ka-lun was quoted as saying in the AFP report.

“As of then, transporting CBD for sale, including import and export, as well as producing, possessing and consuming CBD, will be illegal,” Au-Yeung said.

As the new measure gets implemented, penalties include lifetime imprisonment and Hong Kong $5 million ($638,000) in fines for importing, exporting or producing CBD. Meanwhile, possession of the substance can lead one to jail for up to seven years and Hong Kong $1 million ($128,000) in fines.

The marijuana-derived products have become increasingly common in lotions, tinctures and foods, while their legal status has been murky in the United States (US).

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday there are too many unknowns about CBD products when it comes to regulating them as foods or supplements under the agency’s current structure. The FDA called on Congress to create new rules for the massive and growing market.