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table of contents
- What is CBD?
- Is CBD legal or illegal?
- How to identify safe products
- lastly
What is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol and is one of over 100 cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant known as marijuana or hemp. CBD is said to have effects such as stress and anxiety relief and relaxation. THC (tetrahydracannabiol), a well-known cannabis component like CBD, has psychoactive effects, but CBD does not have any psychoactive effects.
Is CBD legal or illegal?
In Japan, there are no laws regulating the ingredient CBD, so it is legal.
However, when it comes to "CBD products" that contain CBD, they may contain THC, which is an illegal ingredient in Japan, or may be considered cannabis as defined by the Cannabis Control Act, so it cannot be said with certainty that they are legal.
Article 1 of the Cannabis Control Act stipulates the following:
"Cannabis" refers to the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) and its products, except for mature cannabis plant stems and their products (excluding resin), and cannabis plant seeds and their products.
In fact, there have been several news reports in Japan where marijuana has been pointed out for containing THC. At this time, we have not been able to confirm any reports of arrests, but it is true that we cannot say for sure that no arrests will be made.
In 2019, it was reported that CBD products from Elixinol, a major global CBD company, had been contaminated with THC.
Elixinol CBD products sales temporarily suspended (November 7, 2019)
How to identify safe products
If you are purchasing a CBD product for the first time, there are some ways to tell the difference.
- Products that have been tested by a third party
・The product must have been imported through proper procedures
If you check the website of the manufacturer you plan to purchase from, you will usually find the ingredient list listed above. Also, products that have been imported through proper procedures have been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare at the time of import, so they are relatively safe.
On the other hand, you should avoid making purchases in the following ways:
・Direct import from overseas
・Purchases from flea market apps or privately owned websites
Many people purchase CBD products in the above way because they are cheap, but you should avoid it because the standards regarding ingredients are different overseas and in Japan. Amazon also prohibits the sale of CBD products. Despite the ban, there are some products that are sold as CBD products, but they are said to be of low quality because they are sold by manufacturers and businesses that do not follow the rules.
lastly
CBD has been shown to be a safe ingredient in various studies and is recognized by the WHO. However, some CBD-containing products may contain the illegal ingredient THC. Be careful not to purchase inferior products.