How Has Japan’s Cannabis Control Act Been Amended?

Abstract

Background:

In 2023, Japan’s Cannabis Control Act underwent its first major revision since its establishment in 1948. The legal framework surrounding cannabis had long remained rigid, with limited scope for medical or industrial applications.

Methods:

This review examines the content and implications of the 2023 legal amendments based on governmental documents, legislative records, and secondary analyses of regulatory shifts. The assessment focuses on three key domains: medical application, industrial use, and drug control.

Results:

Under the revised law, cannabis-derived products intended for medical use were brought under the same regulatory framework as opioid analgesics, theoretically enabling physicians to prescribe them. Simultaneously, the longstanding restriction limiting industrial use to mature stalks and seeds was lifted. However, this liberalization was counterbalanced by the introduction of a stringent THC threshold. On the criminal side, cannabis continues to be regulated as an illicit substance, and new penalties for use have been introduced. The revised law came into effect on December 12, 2024.

Conclusion:

The 2023 amendment represents a significant shift in Japan’s cannabis policy, aiming to balance expanded medical and industrial opportunities with continued drug control. Its practical implications remain to be seen and warrant close monitoring in the coming years.