Hong Kong Authorities: Legislative Control of Cannabidiol (CBD)

  • CBD products have been becoming popular in recent years. Some merchants claim that CBD products can bring health benefits such as soothing pain and improving sleep quality. However, these claims are not authoritatively proven by science. CBD comes from cannabis plants. Cannabis has tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a strictly controlled dangerous drug and can lead to hallucinations, addiction, depression, etc., and even psychosis. Experts say it is difficult to isolate pure CBD from cannabis. Most likely, CBD products contain trace amounts of THC, which can be harmful. In addition, CBD can naturally decompose into THC under normal storage conditions, and it can be used to produce THC.
  • To take forward the Government’s plan to list CBD as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO), the related Amendment Order has been tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting. Subject to legislative procedures, the subsidiary legislation to control CBD as a dangerous drug would commence on 1 February, 2023.
  • From 27 October, 2022 to 30 January, 2023, disposal boxes will be placed at ten Government premises across the territory to facilitate the disposal of CBD products. The trade and the public should arrange early disposal of any CBD products in their possession to avoid contravention of the law after commencement of the legal control on CBD on 1 February, 2023.
  • Subject to legislative procedures, CBD will become a dangerous drug on 1 February, 2023. Under the DDO, trafficking (including importing and exporting) and manufacturing of substances in contravention of the law will be subject to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.

Reference

CBD Disposal Box

Locations of CBD Products Disposal Boxes

Location of Cannabidiol (CBD) products disposal boxes 收集日期 : 2022年10月27日至2023年1月30日 Collection period : 27 October 2022 to 30 January 2023 政府處所

Government Premises 地址 Address 收集時間 Collection Time 香港島 Hong Kong Island 海港政府大樓 Harbour Building 中環統一碼頭道38號一樓 1/F, 38 Pier Road, Central 星期一至五 (Mon to Fri) 07:30-20:30 星期六 (Sat) 07:30-14:00 公眾假期除外 (excluding Public Holidays) 金鐘道政府合署 (高座) Queensway Government Offices (High Block) 金鐘金鐘道66號高座 D層大堂 Lobby, D/F, High Block, 66 Queensway, Admiralty 星期一至日,包括公眾假期 (Mon to Sun including Public Holidays) 24小時 24 hours 北角政府合署 North Point Government Offices 北角渣華道333號一樓 1/F, 333 Java Road, North Point 星期一至五 (Mon to Fri) 06:30-18:30 星期六及公眾假期除外 (excluding Sat and Public Holidays) 九龍 Kowloon 東九龍政府合署 Kowloon East Government Offices 觀塘鯉魚門道12號地下 G/F, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong 星期一至六 (Mon to Sat) 07:00-20:00 公眾假期除外 (excluding Public Holidays) 旺角政府合署 Mongkok Government Offices 旺角聯運街30號地下 G/F, 30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok 星期一至日,包括公眾假期 (Mon to Sun including Public Holidays) 07:00-19:00 新界 New Territories 西貢政府合署 Sai Kung Government Offices 西貢親民街34號地下 G/F, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung 星期一至日,包括公眾假期 (Mon to Sun including Public Holidays) 06:00-22:00 沙田政府合署 Sha Tin Government Offices 沙田上禾輋路一號地下 G/F, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin 星期一至日,包括公眾假期 (Mon to Sun including Public Holidays) 06:00-21:00 北區政府合署 North District Government Offices 粉嶺璧峰路3號地下 G/F, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling 星期一至日,包括公眾假期 (Mon to Sun including Public Holidays) 24小時 24 hours 荃灣政府合署 Tsuen Wan Government Offices 荃灣西樓角路38號四樓 4/F, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan 星期一至日 (Mon to Sun) 06:30-22:00 公眾假期除外 (excluding Public Holidays) 屯門政府合署 Tuen Mun Government Offices 屯門屯喜路1號平台樓層 D/F, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun 星期一至五 (Mon to Fri) 07:00-19:00 星期六 (Sat) 07:00-11:30 公眾假期除外 (excluding Public Holidays) 備註 Notes: 進入政府處所時,請遵照該處所管理人員的保安和防疫安排 。所有物件一經投入棄置箱將成為廢物,一概不可退回或獲得補償。 Please follow the security and anti-epidemic arrangements made by on-site management staff when entering the Government Premises. All items entered into the disposal boxes will become waste, and they will not be returned nor be compensated. 辦公時間查詢熱 Enquiry hotline during office hours: 2526 6647 電郵Email: nocbd@sb.gov.hk

Examples of CBD Products

Government reminds public to properly handle cannabidiol (CBD) products before February 1

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     The Government today (January 17) reminded members of the public and the relevant trades to properly handle cannabidiol (CBD) products in their possession before February 1.

The new legislative control of CBD will come into effect on February 1. A spokesperson for the Government urged members of the public and the relevant trades to dispose of CBD products in their possession as soon as possible before the Lunar New Year. “It is a tradition that families will clean their home before the Lunar New Year, so it is a good time to throw away any CBD products to avoid violating the new law which will soon take effect after the Lunar New Year holiday,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson also reminded the public not to bring home any CBD products upon returning from their holiday trips.

To facilitate the voluntary disposal of CBD products, disposal boxes (photo at Annex A) have been placed at 10 government premises across the territory for collection of CBD products on or before January 30. A list of the 10 government premises and their respective opening hours during public holidays are at Annex B. As at January 16, around 1 600 items containing CBD were collected.

In addition, a hotline has been set up to provide information about disposal arrangements for CBD products during office hours (i.e. from 9am to 5.30pm from Mondays to Fridays, except for Saturdays and public holidays). More information about the control of CBD is available on the dedicated webpage about CBD (www.nd.gov.hk/cbd), Facebook and Instagram pages of the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau.

CBD has been added to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134), and the substance will be under the same strict control as other dangerous drugs under the DDO starting from February 1. Upon commencement of the new law, trafficking and illicit manufacturing of CBD are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of the substance in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.

Ends/Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:06

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