Cannabis News Around The World: Hong Kong Outlaws CBD, France And Australia Push For Legalization

Hong Kong Bans CBD

Hong Kong is seeking to ban cannabidiol, or CBD, starting on February 1, 2023, reported AP News. Even though CBD is not psychoactive, authorities say it is inseparable from tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

“Starting from February 1, cannabidiol, aka CBD, will be regarded as a dangerous drug and will be supervised and managed by the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance,” said customs intelligence officer Au-Yeung Ka-lun. “As of then, transporting CBD for sale, including import and export, as well as producing, possessing, and consuming CBD, will be illegal.” 

Penalties include from Hong Kong $5 million ($638,000) in fines for importing, exporting or producing CBD to life imprisonment. While those who possess CBD could receive a sentence of up to seven years and Hong Kong $1 million ($128,000) in fines.

Last year, the government announced the legislative amendment that would add cannabis to the list of over 200 criminalized drugs, or the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

A Proposal To Discuss Cannabis Legalization In France

The French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), a consultative constitutional assembly, recently proposed to the government to discuss cannabis legalization.

According to its website, the CESE Commission presented a draft opinion on public policies regarding the use of cannabis during a plenary session following last year’s Temporary Cannabis Commission meeting with several personalities including the Deputy Secretary General of the…