In January 2021, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert panel "Review Committee on Measures against Drugs such as Cannabis", which discusses strengthening the control of cannabis, started in January 2021 and finally compiled a final report .
The first review meeting was held on January 20th, and the minutes were finally released in February , and the eighth (final) review meeting was held on June 11th this month. We have compiled a report stating that we will establish a
On the other hand, it seems that the use of cannabis-based medicines, which are currently regulated in Japan, is permitted.
It seems that the concrete review work for next year's law revision will finally begin.
What the hell were they discussing...!?
●Why did you decide to hold a review meeting?
I think there are three main reasons.
Reasons for holding review meetings for legal revisions
Reason 1 : Old laws
The Cannabis Control Law was enacted in 1948, and at that time it was not even known which components of cannabis were dangerous. Above all, Japan was defeated in the war, and this law was enacted for various reasons, including pressure from the United States.
Emperor Hirohito during a visit to a cannabis farm in Tochigi Prefecture
Reason 2 : Medical purpose
Medicines using cannabis are on the market in other countries, and the WHO (World Health Organization) and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs are discussing the use of cannabis for medical purposes. In particular, it is recognized that cannabis components are effective in "epileptic treatment". ( Epidiolex )
Reason #3 Cannabis Abuse Among Youth
The number of arrested persons has increased rapidly, and in the first year of Reiwa, the number has been greatly renewed. About 60% are under the age of 30. and cannabis prevalence among the younger generation . In these days, when it is easy to know the world situation through SNS, etc., there is a rapid increase in the number of young people who casually dabble in things, saying, "I don't think it's that bad."
Based on the above three perspectives, the law was reviewed for the first time in 73 years.
On June 11, 2021, a study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare compiled a report on how drug measures centered on cannabis should be. Many opinions were in favor of the creation of a "crime of use" that is not stipulated in the current Cannabis Control Law, but the report also clearly stated opposing opinions. It's a pretty racy place, but it seems that the crime of use is likely to be included.
The study group also recommended that the domestic use of medicines made from cannabis be allowed. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has repeatedly examined the matter at the council and has announced that it will aim to revise the law as early as next spring .
The report argued that the absence of marijuana use offenses could send the message that ``you can use it,'' and that marijuana use offenses were necessary in order to be consistent with legal regulations on other drugs. I thought it was a lot.
On the other hand, there were also opposing opinions, such as, "It runs counter to the international trend of emphasizing recovery support for drug abusers," and "Insufficient grounds to curb the use of marijuana by introducing drug use crimes."
He pointed out that cannabis-based medicines have been approved overseas as intractable epilepsy drugs. If there is a distribution management system in Japan, it should be possible to manufacture and use it.
Conclusion
In light of these changes in social conditions and international trends, we have identified the growing cannabis abuse among young people as a problem, and are cracking down on it. We decided to take appropriate measures. While exploring the possibility of using cannabis for medical purposes, it seems likely that the direction will be to strengthen crackdowns on other inappropriate uses.
Personal impression
I can't say at this point what will happen to CBD products, but I don't think they will be licensed.
More than that, I'd like to see the part restrictions removed.
Currently, under Japan's Cannabis Control Law, only substances taken from the "stem" or "seed" of the cannabis plant are exempted from the regulation as "not cannabis". Because of this regulation, products made from other parts are illegal, and medicines that can be used overseas cannot be used in Japan.
By the way, since many of the active ingredients such as CBD are contained in the “leaves” and “flower heads”, the CBD products that enter Japan are derived from “stems” and “seeds”, resulting in unnecessary costs and high-priced products. increase.
If you can remove this part restriction, we can deliver wonderful CBD products to everyone at a lower price.
Also, I would like you to set a threshold for THC.
Even now, if it is derived from stems and THC is not detected, it can be imported, but even if it says "0", it may be detected if a precise inspection method is used. Since the standard value to be treated as zero is not disclosed, manufacturers are groping when importing.
In the United States, THC is less than 0.3%, and in some countries it is less than 1%. In Europe (Switzerland and Thailand) it is less than 0.2%.
In Japan, to be honest, it's a bit of a mess, so if you notice it, it could be illegal!
If you abolish restrictions on parts and clearly indicate the upper limit of THC content, you will be able to bring in and use products that are used overseas as alternative medicines, and THC will be considered a complete evil. I think it will become a healthier and fairer industry as there will be no more scrambles for mounts between manufacturers.