Could Japan Reform Cannabis Policy in 2021?

Japan is known as a country on the forefront of scientific progress, yet the country has hardly moved its stance in relation to cannabis since 1948 - when US-led prohibition took hold. Previous to this, cannabis and hemp were regarded as sacred by many of Japan’s religions. Japan’s indigenous religion, Shinto, sees it as a symbol of purity and used it in ritual ceremonies. Cannabis tinctures and cigarettes were openly sold for therapeutic use; being advertised on billboards and newspapers - hemp was also commonly grown by farmers and used for foods and textiles.

However this outlook changed drastically in 1948. Since then, the Japanese government has taken a strong stance against the plant with ongoing propaganda against it - the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regularly refers to it as a “demon” that can “rot the youth”. Consequently, Japanese doctors have adopted the same stance and Japanese culture generally takes medical advice as gospel. Only five grams of dried flowers can land you upto five years in prison, so taking risks with cannabis can be very costly for individuals, regardless of their motivations. 

Due to this outlook cannabis use is relatively low. Cannabis cultivation is also very low, with most illicit cannabis being imported from other countries. Cannabis offences in Japan have risen dramatically for 6 years in a row, with a record 4,231 separate offences recorded this year, showing that there is a newfound interest in cannabis within the Japanese population. The only legal form of the plant in Japan is CBD isolates derived from hemp stems, but even this limited market has been gaining traction in the last few years - however legislative changes remain stagnant. 

An organisation called Green Zone Japan (GZJ) was founded in 2017, and has been attempting to push a new cannabis narrative. They aim to highlight the latest international evidence-based information on the medical potential of the plant. They disseminate information that explicitly comes from leading doctors around the world directly to the public as well as healthcare professionals. They also regularly invite key players such as Dr Ethan Russo of Seattle, Dr Edward Maa of Denver, and Dr Donald Abrams of San Francisco to talk to Japanese doctors, as if they can convince the medical professionals, the public will also be convinced. 

Last year, the GZS’s efforts came to fruition; a team of 12 researchers led by Dr Ichiro Takumi of St. Marianna University secured funding from the government to design a clinical trial for cannabis in the treatment of epilepsy - by March 2021. This stemmed from a case study involving the successful treatment of an epilpetic child using CBD isolate. Although this is a very specific use for cannabis, if successful, it will lead to a necessary reform of the Cannabis Control Act. This could open doors for a more cannabis-friendly government and culture, and lead Japan into embracing the green age, and join the ever-expanding international industry.