Japan to Ban Cannabis Ingredient CBN from June

Japan's health ministry is set to ban the production, sale, possession, and use of cannabinol (CBN), an ingredient derived from cannabis, starting in June. An experiment on animals conducted following reports of apparent health hazards associated with CBN has found that the substance is highly likely to cause symptoms such as hallucinations.

The ministry will regulate CBN as a designated drug under the pharmaceutical and medical devices law through a revision of a relevant ordinance. The amended ordinance is set to take effect in June.