Is Hong Kong Banning CBD?

With the upcoming implementation of their new CBD law beginning in February 2023, as the 2023 Chinese New Year celebrations are coming to an end, the government of Hong Kong will be making CBD fully illegal. So illegal, in fact, that it will be on the same level as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

If caught with the cannabis supplement, users face both jail time as well as large fines.

This news comes on the heels of other news that Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that mainland China has taken full control over the Hong Kong economic region.

You may recall several years ago when China (will be referenced as West Taiwan moving forward) invaded Hong Kong, breaking the Sino-British agreement which governed the return of Hong Kong from British rule to an autonomous region for an extended period of time.

Businesses that have previously been able to market and sell CBD-infused items like supplements, coffee, and beer are now at risk of being wiped out.

This rule is technically waiting final approval by the city’s council. The council has been accused of being a ‘rubber stamp’ legislature, simply agreeing and approving to anything West Taiwan demands of.

“The trade and the public should arrange early disposal of any CBD products in their possession to avoid contravention of the law,” a government spokesperson said.

When this grace period ends on February 1, those who are found to be in possession or consumes CBD faces up to seven years in prison, and may receive a fine of up to HK$1million, or $127,000.

This status change for the innocuous cannabinoid will place it among over 200 other substances that are considered “dangerous drugs,” all of which carry the same penalty for those found with them.

CBD is legal in many parts of the world. This includes Asian nations like Japan and Thailand.

And CBD is reported by millions of people as having relaxing and pain-relieving properties. To these points, the Honk Kong Security Bureau states that such reports “lack authoritative scientific proof”.

John Lee, Honk Kong’s chief executive as of July of this year, is a former police officer, and is known for his hard-lined stance on what he considers drugs. “Cannabis is a drug, and the government will categorise CBD as a dangerous drug… to protect the public’s health,” he said in a speech last month.

You may also recall last year when West Taiwan banned the use of CBD in topical products such as cosmetics.

What do you think about this development? Has the Hong Kong gone overboard? Are they doing the right thing? Log in and leave a comment below and tell us what you think!