Japan Banned Dangerous Products Containing Cannabis-like Ingredients

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.22.2023
Japan Banned Dangerous Products Containing Cannabis-like Ingredients
Japan's Ministry of Health announced that it will ban the manufacture, sale, and advertising of products containing 38 marijuana-like substances.

According to a report by the Japanese media outlet Asahi on December 21, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that it will classify products containing 38 similar components to marijuana as dangerous drugs, leading to a complete ban on their manufacturing, sales, and advertising.

 

Since December, the Japanese government has prohibited the sale of products containing harmful cannabis components to the human body. However, it has come to light that new similar substances are still circulating in the market.

 

Meanwhile, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that 38 products, including e-liquids, candies, and biscuits, contain five unregulated ingredients and will be classified as pharmaceuticals and medical devices under the broad-spectrum control target of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act and published in the official gazette. Since March 2015, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has once again conducted extensive reforms on such products.

 

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, cannabis candies containing harmful hexahydrocannabinol (HHCH) have been classified as controlled substances, prohibiting their production and sale since December.

 

However, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has discovered that there are still products on the market containing illegal chemical substances such as "hexahydrocannabinol (HHCP)" and "tetrahydrocannabinol ester (THCPO)". Reportedly, in November alone, six people experienced physical discomfort after consuming these substances.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

AIR’s Shisha Brand Al Fakher Launches New Pod-Based Vape in Germany, Touting Non-Ceramic Atomization Technology
AIR’s Shisha Brand Al Fakher Launches New Pod-Based Vape in Germany, Touting Non-Ceramic Atomization Technology
AIR’s shisha brand Al Fakher has launched its rechargeable pod-based vape Crown Switch in Germany, featuring Coldstream technology and claiming low-temperature vaporization without ceramic or metal heating elements. The device is now available on shisha-world, while AIR is simultaneously pushing ahead with its plan to go public on Nasdaq via a SPAC merger.
Nov.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kenya Court of Appeal Halts BBC Defamation Case Linked to BAT Bribery Documentary
Kenya Court of Appeal Halts BBC Defamation Case Linked to BAT Bribery Documentary
Kenya’s Court of Appeal has paused the defamation proceedings filed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula against the BBC. The case centers on a 2015 BBC documentary, Panorama: The Secret Bribes of Big Tobacco, which alleged that Wetang’ula received unlawful benefits from British American Tobacco (BAT) during his tenure as a senator.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of  Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian men arrested for illegally importing e-cigarettes at Woodlands Checkpoint, facing charges, court hearing on December 15. (20 words)
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI Q3 2025 Earnings: Net Revenues Reach $10.85 Billion, Smoke-Free Products Account for 41% of Sales
PMI Q3 2025 Earnings: Net Revenues Reach $10.85 Billion, Smoke-Free Products Account for 41% of Sales
PMI reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, underscoring the continued success of its smoke-free transformation. Net revenues rose 9.4% year-over-year to $10.85 billion, driven by robust growth in the smoke-free segment, which now accounts for 41% of total net revenues and over 42% of gross profit.Despite a 3.2% decline in cigarette shipments, combustible revenues climbed 4.3% thanks to strong pricing.
Oct.21
Switzerland's Geneva to enforce ban on disposable e-cigarettes following court ruling
Switzerland's Geneva to enforce ban on disposable e-cigarettes following court ruling
The Canton of Geneva has begun enforcing its ban on disposable e-cigarettes (“puffs”) after the cantonal court rejected industry appeals to suspend the law. Passed on August 29 by the Grand Council, the ban will now be actively monitored by trade inspectors, while a similar measure is already in force in Valais.
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Organigram Global Appoints Former BAT Global Head of Strategy James Yamanaka as Chief Executive Officer
Organigram Global Appoints Former BAT Global Head of Strategy James Yamanaka as Chief Executive Officer
Organigram Global has named James Yamanaka, previously Global Head of Strategy at British American Tobacco (BTI), as its new CEO. His appointment is expected to take effect around January 15, 2026, and he will also join the company’s board. Yamanaka brings more than 20 years of strategic and managerial experience from roles across Europe and Asia at BTI.
Nov.26