Legislative control set for cannabidiol

January 27, 2023

The Customs & Excise Department today announced that new legislative control of cannabidiol (CBD) will come into effect on February 1, thereby placing CBD under the same strict control as other dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance from that day.

 

It explained that starting February 1 onwards, the importation of such products, including food or drinks containing CBD, into Hong Kong will be prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the ordinance are complied with.

 

As such, the public is advised not bring any cannabis products or products containing CBD into the city.

 

To avoid breaching the law inadvertently, people should refrain from buying any CBD products and take notice of whether the products' packaging and labels contain wordings of CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol when making such purchases.

 

Noting that vigorous enforcement action will be taken to combat the related drug trafficking activities, the department said it will step up enforcement action to intercept the import and transit movements of CBD products via various channels.

 

It stressed that it will continue to apply a risk assessment strategy when selecting passengers, cargoes and postal packets for clearance in an effort to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

 

Apart from reminding people that they must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into or out of Hong Kong, the department added that they should also not carry unknown items for other people, nor release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

 

Suspected drug trafficking activities should be reported to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or emailed to its dedicated crime-reporting email account.

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