On December 1, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced a notice regarding special permission for the use of CBD products containing THCV.
The story began with the regulation of new synthetic cannabinoids with psychoactive effects as “designated drugs” after HHC, which began to be distributed in Japan in 2021.
The MHLW added new controlled substances three times in March 2022, March 2023, and August 2023, but similar successor compounds quickly appeared on the market, and the effectiveness of the regulations was questioned. On September 10, 2023, the “blanket regulation” simultaneously regulated THCB, which was the main product at the time, and similar compounds THCV, THCP, and THCjd.
A major problem arose here. Of the ingredients designated as controlled substances, THCV is found in a relatively high frequency in natural cannabis plants and is often a component of broad-spectrum CBD products distributed domestically. THCV is known to act as a CB1 receptor antagonist in small doses and does not have psychoactive effects.
Broad Spectrum CBD products have become a non-substitutable remedy for those who are unable to obtain symptomatic improvement with CBD isolates alone.
The current indications are for intractable epilepsy.Those wishing to use CBD products containing trace amounts of THCV must complete and submit the required forms to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.