Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Designates Delta-9 THC as a Prohibited Substance... Delayed Regulation Controversy

Detection of Cannabis-Like Drug Components
Regulatory Authorities Have Been Inactive Until Now

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recently announced plans to regulate the distribution and sale of the controversial 'Daemajelly' and to control the drugs contained in the jelly, drawing criticism for its delayed response. The ministry has faced significant backlash for taking no action despite the detection of drug substances similar to cannabis in the jelly.

Daemajelly, which caused controversy in Japan. (Photo by NHK)

According to TBS on the 21st, Health Minister Takemi Keizo held a press conference after the Cabinet meeting the previous day and announced that HHCH (Hexahydrocannabiphorol) found in Daemajelly would be designated as a controlled substance.

HHCH is a synthetic compound similar to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component of cannabis, and was detected in the analysis of the controversial cannabis jelly. Currently, it is not subject to any specific regulations in Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to designate HHCH as a controlled substance after a review meeting and will ban possession, use, and sale starting from the 2nd of next month.

The controversy over Daemajelly began on the 4th during the Musashinohara Fire Festival. A man in his 40s who participated in the festival distributed Daemajelly to people, and those who consumed it reported symptoms such as vomiting and body aches, leading to their transfer to nearby hospitals.

The Ministry’s Narcotics Control Department has requested the Osaka-based company selling the jelly to suspend sales for the time being.

However, the company held a press conference on the 17th stating that the jelly was sold with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s approval, and that production began in April this year for purposes such as mood enhancement and relaxation, with sales ongoing online and at some stores.

The company expressed regret over the incident, saying, "We warn minors to refrain from use, but we regret that this happened." However, they also stated, "Designating HHCH as a controlled substance is a mistake. The more it is regulated, the more new substances will be developed."

Experts have expressed serious concerns about the incident. Professor Sato Hitoshi of Showa University said, "There are countless compounds structurally similar to THC, like HHCH, related to cannabis. Every time a substance is regulated, another appears on the market, so regulations cannot keep up."

Japan is also struggling with drug issues like this, especially with a recent sharp increase in seizures of cannabis-containing jellies, cookies, and candies.

According to the National Police Agency of Japan, the amount of cannabis-infused food seized nationwide reached about 4 kg by the end of last month this year. This is 1.2 kg more than the same period last year and the highest figure since statistics began being compiled.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.