Cannabidiol (CBD) in Hong Kong : is a total ban the best option?

Abstract

The government of Hong Kong has categorised cannabidiol (CBD) as a dangerous drug from 1 February 2023, while there are a number of territories over the world that have legalised the recreational use of cannabis. This research aims at exploring if a total ban on CBD in Hong Kong is the best option to handle the problem arose from its popular use by examining whether CBD is a gateway drug, and by interviewing local consumers and other stakeholders. The local drug control policy is also another area of concern in this study. Nine interviews were conducted with CBD users and stakeholders and related writings were reviewed. This paper shows that CBD can be used as a supplement to help individuals to receive the greatest medical benefits from cannabis in the safest way possible; most of the respondents used it mainly for medical reason and agreed to its ban on recreational use. Secondly, results show that CBD is a gateway drug to off hard drugs since it has been proved as non-addictive and supported by other scientific research, but not a gateway drug to the use of hard drugs. As the Hong Kong government steps up its zero-tolerance policy towards dangerous drugs, the ban on CBD may suppress the medicinal value of CBD products. Alternative measures for controlling the use of CBD in Hong Kong are, therefore, suggested to strike a balance among the interests of various stakeholders.