Japan has introduced a significant change to its drug policy, marking the first day of December with a new ban on products containing hexa hydro cannabi hexol (HHCH), a semi-synthetic cannabinoid that produces effects similar to THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. This includes popular items such as gummies, pre-rolled joints, and vape cartridges.
For businesses in Japan’s growing cannabinoid market, particularly in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district, this ban has caused considerable losses. One CBD shop manager mentioned having to dispose of large amounts of inventory that included HHCH-based products, which had been top sellers in the store.
The new HHCH ban is part of Japan’s broader strategy to regulate recreational drug use in the country. While many parts of the world are moving toward more lenient policies regarding marijuana, Japan’s stance remains firm and conservative. The prohibition is particularly notable as HHCH products became popular in Japan due to the continued illegality of THC. As the health ministry indicated, this could be the first step toward further crackdowns on THC-like substances.
Health Minister Takemi Keizo expressed concerns about the safety of such products, warning the public that “marijuana gummies” are dangerous and pose significant health risks. He has highlighted the need for caution, labeling these products as a “serious health and hygiene concern.”
Despite the global trend toward more lenient cannabis laws, Japan’s strict drug policies stand in stark contrast. Maruyama Yasuhiro, a criminology professor and expert on drug policy at Rissho University in Tokyo, noted that this is not surprising. Japan is increasingly distancing itself from the international movement toward cannabis legalization.
Historically, Japan has had a long relationship with cannabis, particularly through the use of hemp for clothing, pottery, and other tools. Hemp also played a significant role in Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan. However, after World War II, the U.S.-influenced government passed strict laws that criminalized marijuana, and these laws have remained largely unchanged for over seven decades.
A 2019 Japanese government study found that less than 2% of Japanese people had tried marijuana, compared to about half of Americans. Penalties for marijuana possession in Japan are among the harshest globally, with up to seven years in prison for any amount.
Although THC remains illegal, cannabis extracts that do not contain THC were still permissible until recently. The emergence of Japan’s CBD industry has been a notable exception, and a 2022 report projected the CBD market would grow from about 5 billion yen ($35 million) in 2019 to approximately 65 billion yen ($455 million) by 2024. Products made from semi-synthetic compounds like HHCH, designed to mimic THC’s effects, also gained traction in the market.
However, the lack of comprehensive laws regulating these synthetic cannabinoids left the government scrambling to address emerging products. As a result, Japan has periodically banned certain THC-like compounds, and the latest HHCH ban is the highest-profile action to date. This move followed reports of health incidents involving HHCH gummies, leading to hospitalizations in Tokyo. A police raid on a factory in Osaka connected to the products further fueled the government’s decision to impose the ban, with violators facing up to three years in prison or fines of up to 3 million yen.
Despite the ban’s immediate effect on businesses, the situation remained somewhat business-as-usual for some stores. In Shinjuku, a store continued to sell vape cartridges containing HHCP, another semi-synthetic compound, and other THC-like substances, including THC-O, a compound popular in the United States.
The store manager, a 26-year-old who requested anonymity, expressed ambivalence toward the ban. While he was uncertain about how Japan should regulate semi-synthetics, he found the country’s hardline stance on cannabis counterproductive. He argued that, despite the government’s negative view, cannabis has numerous health benefits, and he hoped his store could help educate the public about its potential uses.
“In Japan, cannabis is treated as a dangerous drug,” the manager said. “I want to discuss it in a way that helps people understand, rather than covering it up.”
