Hong Kong Prohibits CBD Products: 7-Year Imprisonment and Heavy Fines

Jan.12.2023
Hong Kong Prohibits CBD Products: 7-Year Imprisonment and Heavy Fines
Hong Kong bans all CBD products, adding them to its Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, with the possibility of severe punishments.

Hong Kong, China recently announced that all products containing cannabidiol (CBD) will be banned starting February 1st. CBD will be added to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO), which already includes over 200 substances such as fentanyl, ketamine, heroin, and various psychoactive compounds like MDMA.


CBD will now be included in the existing list of "cannabinol and its tetrahydro derivative (THC); as well as 3-alkyl homologues." As a result of this change, anyone who possesses or consumes CBD will face a maximum of seven years in prison and a fine of up to HKD 1 million (approximately RMB 870,000).


According to Lexology, manufacturers of CBD may also face life imprisonment.


Although many users around the world have been touting the anti-anxiety and pain-relieving properties of CBD, the Hong Kong Security Bureau believes that these claims "lack authoritative scientific evidence." This directive appears to be consistent with China's ban on the use of CBD in cosmetics implemented last year.


Currently, it is unclear whether other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBDV, CBC, etc. will be included in the ban. However, based on a memorandum from the Narcotics Division in November 2022, the Hong Kong government appears to be primarily concerned about the possibility of CBD products containing trace amounts of THC, either through breakdown or conversion, and the lack of international regulations specifically for these products.


Article Related Reading: Hong Kong plans to completely ban the sale of CBD products by the end of 2022.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Sweden on Track to Become Europe’s First Smoke-Free Nation as Snus and Nicotine Pouches Support Declining Smoking Rates
Sweden on Track to Become Europe’s First Smoke-Free Nation as Snus and Nicotine Pouches Support Declining Smoking Rates
According to Gulf News, Sweden is nearing the World Health Organization’s smoke-free threshold, with daily smoking falling below 5%. Two decades of public health efforts and the growing use of lower-risk alternatives such as Snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches have contributed to this shift, alongside declines in tobacco-related deaths and lung cancer cases.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
STMA to Hold Hearing on License Leasing Case in Shenzhen
STMA to Hold Hearing on License Leasing Case in Shenzhen
The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) announced a public hearing will be held on Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. in Bao’an District, Shenzhen, regarding Shenzhen Biaogan Zhizao Technology Co., Ltd. accused of leasing its tobacco retail license.
Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Compatible with Terea Sticks and Supporting Dual Heating: HiTaste Unveils New Heated Tobacco Device
Product | Compatible with Terea Sticks and Supporting Dual Heating: HiTaste Unveils New Heated Tobacco Device
HiTaste has introduced its new HNB device, the F10, on social media, highlighting its wrap-around heating and dual-heating features. Similar “dual-heating” and “one-stick-two-sessions” designs were widely showcased at InterTabac 2025, signaling that this technical direction is emerging as a new competitive focus among HNB brands.
Nov.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes
Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Health Commission has approved a bill establishing a total ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, with penalties ranging from one to eight years in prison and fines between Mex$11,000 and Mex$226,000 (USD ≈$600–$12,300). The proposal sparked controversy among opposition lawmakers, who argued that the legislation criminalizes users rather than focusing on regulation and prevention.
Nov.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mexican Congress Postpones Debate on Vape and E-Cigarette Ban
Mexican Congress Postpones Debate on Vape and E-Cigarette Ban
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies has postponed the debate on a reform to the General Health Law that seeks to completely ban the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vapes. Lawmaker Amancay González Franco (MC) criticized the draft for excluding tobacco heating devices, such as Philip Morris’s IQOS, arguing that these products are even more harmful according to the World Health Organization.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Harm Reduction Experts Warn: FCTC COP11 Policies Risk Marginalizing the Global South
Harm Reduction Experts Warn: FCTC COP11 Policies Risk Marginalizing the Global South
Two global tobacco harm reduction experts, in their submission to 2Firsts, argue that several COP11 policy proposals driven by high-income countries do not align with the capacities and conditions of low- and middle-income countries. They highlight research and funding gaps and call for a more equitable global support mechanism.
Nov.19