Update February 10th 2023: Hong Kong has made its first arrest related to CBD. A 30-year-old man was arrested after the Hong Kong customs department found two bottles of CBD oil in an air parcel from Denmark, which was labelled as skin oil. The information was provided in a statement by the customs department.
Hong Kong Bans CBD
In 2020, Hong Kong saw the debut of its first CBD café. The café offered a huge range of CBD-infused cannabis items, from oils, to powders food items like oil and butter, and even pet pain relief. They even served CBD-laced coffee and beer for customers who wanted to hang out. In a move that has been heavily criticised by many expert figures in the region Hong Kong will ban and criminalise CBD and all CBD products from February 1st.
Now in what looks like a backward step, at least in comparison the general global consensus on CBD, Hong Kong has taken an incredibly severe approach and declared CBD a dangerous drug, banning it starting from Wednesday. The ban brings with it dire consequences and steep fines, similar to those for hard drugs, for individuals caught possessing, producing, or trafficking CBD in Hong Kong.
The decision to ban CBD in Hong Kong was made following the footsteps of mainland China and was announced last year, with government officials citing difficulties in separating pure CBD from THC, the risk of contamination during production and the ability to convert CBD into THC during the production of delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids.
But now, CBD will be classified as a dangerous drug and regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, stated customs intelligence officer Au-Yeung Ka-lun during a recent press briefing.
What Has Been Imposed?
In June, the Hong Kong Legislative Council Panel on Security reported, as per Hong Kong Free Press, that they would enforce a ban on CBD. Subsequently, in August, Hong Kong authorities began taking action against CBD-related businesses. Residents were given a three-month grace period, until October 27th, to get rid of their CBD products through designated disposal boxes located throughout the city.
Now that law is in effect Individuals caught participating in the import, export, or production of CBD could face life imprisonment and penalties of up to HKD 5 million ($638,000). Meanwhile, those found to be in possession of CBD could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and fines of up to HKD 1 million ($128,000).
According to the South China Morning Post, since 2019, the law enforcement have taken possession of more than 4,100 CBD items that were found to have THC traces. From January 2018 to December 2022, the authorities arrested 38 individuals suspected of being connected to 68 cases where CBD products were believed to have THC.
Ultimately, Chinese cannabis laws are based on some of the same outdated and unverified claims about ‘concerns for public safety’ that we see in many other countries, the difference here being the severe control of the controlling party. Whatever your opinion on affairs in the region seeing a country with progressive laws do a 180 in such a harsh way is a sad sight, especially if it’s just to bring it in line with another area.
If you’re travelling to Hong Kong from Feb 1st 2023 DO NOT take CBD with you. If you have a prescription for medically provided CBD then please contact your embassy.