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

PMI Sells Stake in Swedish Match Brazil Business, Including Fiat Lux Brand
PMI Sells Stake in Swedish Match Brazil Business, Including Fiat Lux Brand
Philip Morris International said it is selling its stake in Swedish Match do Brasil, which controls the Brazilian household goods brand Fiat Lux. The buyer is Ignis FIP, a Brazilian private investment vehicle backed by businessman Marcos Fernando Garms. The transaction also includes Swedish Match da Amazônia, but the value of the deal was not disclosed. PMI said the sale is aligned with its vision of a smoke-free future.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Hampshire Trading Standards Seizes £138,000 Worth of Illegal Vapes and Tobacco in 2025
Hampshire Trading Standards Seizes £138,000 Worth of Illegal Vapes and Tobacco in 2025
According to Hampshire County Council, its Trading Standards team confiscated 116,000 illegal vape and tobacco products in 2025, worth an estimated £138,000 — a record annual haul.
Feb.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
West Virginia Governor Signs Bill Directing USD 2.9 Million From Juul Settlement to Youth Tobacco Prevention
West Virginia Governor Signs Bill Directing USD 2.9 Million From Juul Settlement to Youth Tobacco Prevention
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has signed House Bill 5691 into law, directing USD 2.9 million from the Juul settlement to youth tobacco prevention and programs that help people quit. The bill is a supplemental appropriation measure, and the Legislature’s bill history shows it passed the House on March 11, passed the Senate on March 13 and was sent to the governor on March 18.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
BAT Japan Announces McLaren Collaboration “glo Hilo Plus” Limited-Edition Set, Priced at About USD 200
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) announced a collaboration with McLaren Racing to launch the “glo Hilo Plus・McLaren Racing Inspired Limited-Edition Set.” Sales begin on March 3 via the glo Store Ginza and the official glo online store. Based on the “glo Hilo Plus,” the set includes a limited-edition device and dedicated accessories, priced at JPY 30,000 (about USD 200).
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alaska AG warns 1,500+ retailers to stop selling unauthorized vapes and nicotine pouches
Alaska AG warns 1,500+ retailers to stop selling unauthorized vapes and nicotine pouches
Alaska’s attorney general has sent warning letters to more than 1,500 retailers and distributors, cautioning them against selling tobacco products — including e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches — that lack U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorization.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Commissioner Stresses “Predictability” as Science Chief Addresses Industry Uncertainty
FDA Commissioner Stresses “Predictability” as Science Chief Addresses Industry Uncertainty
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary briefly appeared at the February 10 PMTA roundtable, underscoring the importance of regulatory predictability. At the close of the session, Office of Science Director Matthew Farrelly responded to industry concerns over review uncertainty, stating the agency will issue a written summary of feedback, while reiterating that no fixed quantitative risk benchmark governs authorization decisions.
Feb.11