
According to a report by Agence France-Presse on December 6th, the Japanese Parliament (known as the "Diet") has passed a legislative amendment aimed at legalizing medicinal derivatives of marijuana. The amendment seeks to address the existing legal loophole regarding the punishment for recreational use of the drug.
Previously, Japan only permitted drugs derived from cannabis for use in clinical trials. However, patients have consistently been requesting access to these drugs, specifically cannabidiol products derived from this plant. These products have already been approved in Europe and the United States for the treatment of conditions such as refractory epilepsy.
According to the amendment, the use of marijuana-derived medicines will be permitted, along with the cultivation of this plant for sourcing raw materials for pharmaceutical and other products. The amendment was passed by the Japanese House of Representatives this Wednesday, with majority support from the ruling coalition.
The revision of the Cannabis Control Law will come into effect one year after its promulgation, and it will entail the formulation of new regulations regarding cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant.
In a groundbreaking move for the country, these substances will be categorized as narcotics, according to the national Controlled Substances and Psychotropic Substances Act, effectively prohibiting and penalizing possession, transfer, or consumption of these substances.
Despite the cultivation, possession, and sale of marijuana being prohibited and punished in Japan, the use of these specific substances is currently not penalized. However, this situation is expected to change once the revised law comes into effect, with recreational usage potentially resulting in up to seven years of imprisonment.
The reason why there are no punishments for marijuana use in Japan under this law is due to its widespread traditional uses such as clothing production, seasoning, or significant religious ceremonies associated with Shintoism, a native religion in Japan.
However, due to the increasing number of arrests related to cannabis, especially among young people in their twenties, the Japanese authorities have decided to regulate this issue. These new measures will introduce two different types of cannabis cultivation licenses – one for medical purposes and another for other purposes such as manufacturing cannabis-based products, including clothing.
These legal changes regarding the cultivation of marijuana will come into effect two years after being issued.
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