Japan officially considered HHCH, a synthetic molecule similar to cannabis, as a drug on November 22 after several people recently fell seriously ill eating gummies containing HHCH. Its consumption and marketing will be fully banned from December 2.
Japan’s Ministry of Health has decided to ban a substance found in some sweets and gummies, following several cases of consumers becoming severely ill after eating them.
Marketed in many cities across Japan, these gummies contained HHCH, a synthetic molecule with properties similar to those of cannabis. The candies were sold in specific stores, where they were sold next to cannabis alternatives or derivatives such as CBD. Consumers of these gummies may experience hallucinations and memory disorders.
Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a cannabis derivative. Its effects are similar to those of THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana. Since 2020, several European countries such as France, Italy and the UK have strictly prohibited its consumption.
Several instances of individuals falling seriously ill or behaving abnormally were recently reported to the Ministry of Health. They were brought to the hospital, where tests revealed the presence of cannabis in their bodies.
On Wednesday, November 22, the Ministry of Health officially considered HHCH a drug. From December 2nd, the possession, consumption and marketing of this substance will be illegal in Japan, with penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 3 million yen (22,000 dollars).
Drug regulations in Japan are extremely strict. The Ministry of Health has already banned THC and all similar substances, adopting a zero-tolerance policy for Japanese citizens, seeing cannabis as a gateway to more potent drugs. HHCH has been added to the list of banned drugs, but similar products could soon enter the market, as these substances are easily modified.
Daisuke Matsumoto, owner of a store selling such gummies in Osaka, told local media he thinks “it’s a crazy plan. The more we regulate, the more we encourage the development of new, similar substances.”
Moreover, he asserts that the cases of illness after eating gummies occurred because of incorrect intake. He advised his customers to take only one at a time to avoid adverse effects.
