Hong Kong banned cannabidiol, or CBD, on Wednesday, listing it as a “dangerous drug” with harsh penalties for possession despite a flourishing trade for such products in the city.
Now, however, possession and consumption of the substance will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine equivalent to $127,000.Authorities said CBD can be converted into tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s effects and deemed harmful.
“The positive reactions from the thousands of visitors to Found, both offline and online, proved to us that the need for a natural health alternative is real and that CBD could help cope with the stresses of daily life,” the Found team wrote in an InstagramFiachra Mullen, chief marketing officer for Altum International, which owns Found, said the cafe experienced a 20-fold growth in business since its opening — though he did not provide precise financial data.
“It’s regrettable that the government banned an industry with such bright business prospects promoting wellness,” she said. “But it’s great that the public perception on the definition of drugs shifted.”Albert Chung, clinical assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong’s department of psychiatry, however, said there was insufficient clinical evidence to support whether CBD can relieve stress and prevent eczema, saying it might be more of a “placebo effect” for individual users.
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