Japan bans CBN

Since June 1, 2026, the Japan has officially banned CBN (cannabinol), a cannabinoid derived from Cannabis which until now has been sold legally throughout the country.

CBN added to Japan's list of banned substances

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had announced its decision to classify the CBN as a «controlled substance» last March. The new rules prohibit the manufacture, import, sale, possession and consumption of CBN products, with offences punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.

This decision follows a series of investigations and animal studies carried out after reports of health problems associated with this cannabinoid. According to the Japanese authorities, CBN was highly likely to cause symptoms, including hallucinations, when consumed in sufficiently high doses.

Until now, the CBN has been in a legal grey area. Produced by the oxidation of THC, CBN, the main psychotropic cannabinoid in cannabis, is generally marketed as a sleep aid. Gummies, cookies, oils and vaping products containing this compound were freely available in stores and online throughout Japan.

Health concerns and high-dose products under scrutiny

The catalyst for this ban seems to have been the rapid emergence of products with high CBN concentrations on the Japanese market.

While many CBN products generally contain between 25 and 100 milligrams per serving internationally, some products sold in Japan are said to contain doses of up to 500 milligrams per cookie, or even 1,000 milligrams per packet. Authorities were increasingly concerned that these products went beyond wellness to produce psychotropic effects.

A widely publicized incident occurred in May 2025, when a student at Yamanashi Gakuin University was injured after jumping out of a dormitory window. Authorities linked the case to cookies suspected of containing high doses of CBN.

The Japanese Ministry of Health has also confirmed at least four cases since October 2024 in which people fell ill or had to be hospitalized after consuming products containing this cannabinoid.

These incidents eventually led a panel of experts to recommend tighter regulation. In October 2025, the Ministry concluded that CBN should be treated as a scheduled substance, a decision that was officially implemented this year.

What the ban means for the Japanese... and for tourists

The new rules apply not only to Japanese residents, but also to visitors entering the country. Travellers carrying CBN products legally purchased abroad could now face legal consequences if they bring them into Japan.

The ban covers all forms of CBN products, including edibles, oils, vaping cartridges and dietary supplements. Retailers have been ordered to withdraw these products from sale, while those currently in possession of CBN-based items are required to dispose of them appropriately.

This measure is a reminder that Japan applies some of the strictest policies in the world when it comes to cannabinoids. While THC remains strictly prohibited, The country's cannabinoid market had previously authorized the development of certain hemp-derived compounds within specific legal frameworks.

CBD remains legal, but surveillance continues

The ban does not apply to CBD (cannabidiol). THC-free CBD products remain legal in Japan, provided they meet the country's extremely strict THC content standards.

Industry observers expect some consumers who previously used CBN for sleep or relaxation to turn back to CBD or explore other cannabinoids such as CBG and the CBC, which are not currently regulated in Japan.

A limited medical exception will remain available for patients suffering from serious pathologies for which no alternative treatment exists. This procedure requires the agreement of the Japanese authorities, however, and is not expected to apply to most consumers using cannabinoid-based products for general wellness purposes.