Japan has a long tradition of growing and using hemp.
For thousands of years, hemp was used primarily for its fibers in the manufacture of clothing; consequently, until World War II, cannabis held a significant market share in the textile industry.
However, after the war, the Cannabis Control Act was enacted in 1948, and regulations governing cannabis plants were tightened. With the development of synthetic fibers, the market share of cannabis used in textiles continued to decline.
In the 1950s, Japan had approximately 30,000 cannabis farmers and a total of 5,000 hectares of land used for hemp cultivation. By 2020, there were only 30 hemp farmers left and a total of 7 hectares of cultivated land.
Illegal
Cannabis is illegal in Japan.
Where in the world is cannabis legal?
Under the current Cannabis Control Act, the possession, transfer, receipt, importation, and exportation of cannabis plants and their products are prohibited, with the exception of possession by a person holding a license for the cultivation or research of such plants. No one is permitted to use cannabis plants and their products for medical or recreational purposes. In other words, the market for cannabis plants and their products is virtually nonexistent in Japan.
However, mature stems and seeds of cannabis plants and their products are exempt from all regulations under the Cannabis Control Act. There is therefore a market for cannabis seeds, such as animal feed, essential oils, and spices, as well as for mature cannabis stems, such as textiles and traditional products used in Shinto rituals. However, the market for these products is fairly limited.
In recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) products made from mature cannabis plant stalks—which are not regulated under the Cannabis Control Act—have begun to be imported from other countries and distributed on the Japanese market.
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