Hong Kong: Market and legal data analysis of the cannabis sector

1st February 2023: Hong Kong: Hong Kong's ban on CBD takes effect today, 1st February. Possession of CBD will now be subject to criminal penalties, including up to seven years in prison and hefty fines.
18th January 2023: Hong Kong: The government is reminding people to get rid of all CBD products in their possession before the ban on them comes into effect on 1st February, press reports. There are several drop boxes to deposit CBD products in government buildings before the deadline, after which possession may result in criminal charges.
21st October 2022: Hong Kong: CBD will be added to Hong Kong's list of narcotic drugs, thus banning all possession, sale, import, and export of CBD products, effective from 1st February 2023, press reports. As discussed in our Hong Kong regulatory report, law enforcement officials proposed banning CBD through legislation in June 2022, and now legislation will be introduced to the Legislative Council next week and is expected to be approved. Disposal boxes will be placed on some governmental premises to discard CBD products before they are made illegal.
14th June 2022: Hong Kong: Law enforcement authorities have proposed banning CBD products before the end of the year after finding that a third of such items sold in the city contained traces of THC. Retailers argue that they should be allowed to sell CBD products that have undergone laboratory testing and are verified safe for use.

Cannabis and cannabinoids in Hong Kong