For decades, Japan has had some of the strictest cannabis regulations across the world, handing out harsh sentences for its possession, cultivation and sale. Amendments to the country’s Cannabis Control Act and Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act will update Japan’s laws to enable a new medical cannabis market while cracking down harder on recreational use. Coming into effect today, the new laws criminalise the use of cannabis – previously not a crime under the nation’s near-total cannabis prohibition.
While the law was first implemented in 2023, it has taken a year to come into effect. A detailed breakdown of the new punishment for cannabis offences can be found here.
Globally, cannabis reform has gained traction, with countries like Canada and Thailand embracing legalisation. In contrast, Japan’s cautious steps reflect a unique intersection of tradition, stigma, and public safety concerns.
A post-WWII punitive legacy
Japan’s stringent cannabis regulations trace back to the Cannabis Control Act of 1948, enacted under American occupation to ensure compliance with global cannabis prohibition. Historically, cannabis played a significant role in Japanese culture, with an esteemed role in industrial practices, traditional medicine, and Shinto rituals. The 1948 law installed harsh sentences for those involved with cannabis: a maximum imprisonment sentence of five years exists for cannabis use, and seven years for cultivation.
While cannabis cultivation, possession and sale was criminalised, use was not; this was a purposeful omission to protect hemp farmers who may inadvertently ingest or inhale cannabis plant matter to the point of intoxication.
Today, Japan has one of the lowest cannabis prevalence rates among developed nations. Officially, only 1.4% of the population has tried cannabis, compared to 20-40% in Europe or the US. However, actual figures may be higher, as stigma often deters individuals from publicly admitting use. This zero-tolerance stance, deeply rooted in global anti-drug campaigns, has shaped Japan’s conservative policies for decades.
Despite this intense criminalisation, there has been a rise in its use in the past few years: a record 6,482 people were investigated for cannabis-related offences in 2023, up from 1,140 in the previous year. People in their 20s accounted for nearly 55% of all cases, while those under 20 represented an additional 19% of cases. Government officials claimed that increased smartphone use had lowered “psychological barriers to use” and misinformation about its effects.
What changes will the 2024 reforms bring?
The Amending Law introduces four significant updates that reflect Japan’s attempt to modernise while maintaining control.
Firstly, new residual limits for THC in products were established, bringing medical cannabis products under the Narcotics And Psychotropics Control Act. People possessing existing licensed cannabis products for medical conditions like epilepsy are advised to carry medical certificates from their doctors; those that do not are encouraged to dispose of their products to avoid imprisonment.
Secondly, the consumption ban comes into effect. This ban creates a new penalty of up to seven years of imprisonment for consumption. This has been put in place to avoid a common legal defense where people smoked cannabis in shared or community settings yet said it was not theirs – evading cannabis possession charges.
Thirdly, hemp cultivation, a historical yet now dwindling Japanese industry, will be expanded. The Amending Act will enable cultivation licenses for medical cannabis (with a threshold THC content limit). Hemp-derived products will also have a new higher threshold limit for THC contents to facilitate its use and revitalise the industry which faced severe international competition. While 20,000 hemp farmers existed before, there are now only 27 licensed farmers in Japan, producing around 2,000 kilos of hemp per year.
Finally, Japan’s CBD market is expected to be supported by the new Act, which has expanded its possible legal extractions to the whole plant (previously only allowed on hemp stalks and stems). Tight THC limits remain in place, however: there is a maximum of 10 THC parts per million (ppm) for raw materials, 1 ppm for products, and 0.1 ppm for beverages. Across Europe, China, and other nations, the THC standard is 0.3% THC, or 3,000 ppm.
Companies such as traditional pharmaceutical Taisho Pharmaceutical are poised to enter the market, leveraging these changes to expand CBD-based offerings.
Why have Japan’s cannabis policies remained so strict?
Despite the global shift toward cannabis decriminalisation and legalisation, Japan’s approach remains conservative for several reasons. There is still a lot of deep-seated stigma and limited knowledge on cannabis, as the public discourse surrounding the substance is still shaped by misinformation, shame and stigma. Many policymakers and experts lack firsthand experience with cannabis or those who use it. Discussions around legalisation frequently center on potential abuse rather than medical or economic benefits.
The increased use of cannabis by young people has meant that there are increased fears about future generations using the drug at greater rates. Currently, education omits much of the scientific evidence on cannabis; use and harms: the Japanese Government manual on how to educate youth in Japan about drugs even equates its use to heroin use.
Growing national concern with cannabis tourism
As legalization spreads globally, questions arise about how Japan handles citizens engaging in cannabis therapy and tourism abroad. In a recent parliamentary session, a member of parliament questioned whether returning Japanese citizens would face penalties if they consumed cannabis in legal countries like Canada, the US or Thailand.
The Health Minister clarified that individuals will not be prosecuted unless they are caught possessing or consuming cannabis in Japan. Even if metabolites are detected in their systems, there must be evidence linking their use to activities within Japan.
武見厚生労働大臣の大麻施用罪創設に関する答弁について日本語英語字幕を付けました
問)大麻、海外での使用が合法化されている国、ちょっとずつ今は増えている状況ですよね。そういったところで使用して国内に帰ってきた場合に、例えば空港などで使用罪に問われることがあるのかどうか、伺います。 pic.twitter.com/enD4NEUHdv
— はいちる/慢性疼痛/🇹🇭療養4回目 (@hypetochill) October 11, 2024
However, the rise in cannabis therapy and tourism highlights the challenges Japan faces in maintaining strict policies while its citizens are exposed to global trends.
Public sentiment and advocacy for change
Advocates for cannabis reform in Japan often face social stigma and legal risks. Nonetheless, several organizations are working to shift public opinion. Green Zone Japan has been working to educate the public on medical cannabis research, emphasising scientific evidence over stigma. Founded by Dr. Masataka, a Japanese CBD expert doctor and rapper, Green Zone aims to normalise medical cannabis discussions and its use.
The legal non-profit Clear Right also advocates for cannabis decriminalisation and prisoner rights, led by cannabis lawyer Mr. Marui. OFF Inc., a Tokyo and Los Angeles based organisation, promotes cannabis modernisation and hosts events like TOKYO420, the largest 420 gathering in Japan, to raise awareness and relax stigma. Managed by Japanese philosopher Yoda Inoue.
Other experts, like Mr. Nagayoshi, a prominent cannabis author, argue that Japan’s approach falls short of global standards. He advocates for revising the Narcotics Law to distinguish cannabis from more harmful substances and aligning cultivation standards with international thresholds like 0.3% THC.
The road ahead for cannabis in Japan
Japan’s updated cannabis laws mark a cautious step forward for business, but a step back for non-medical consumers. Medical cannabis legalisation introduces new opportunities for patients and an avenue for a new local industry; however, stricter recreational use laws reflect ongoing concerns about wider use and its perceived impact on public safety. However, significant challenges remain, from outdated public perceptions to limited research and advocacy.
As public opinion evolves and global trends influence Japan, further reforms may follow. For now, Japan’s approach highlights the tension between tradition, public health, and the need for modernization.
As the author of this blog, I am deeply committed to normalizing cannabis in Japan through my work as the community builder of tokyo mooon and Chilling High. I am focusing on bridging the global cannabis industry to drive meaningful change and innovation in Japan’s future cannabis landscape.
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