The cannabis plant contains dozens of cannabinoids, with the two most prominent ones in society in recent decades being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Many products these days are infused with THC and/or CBD.

However, in recent years, products containing lesser-known cannabinoids have increased in demand and availability in many markets, with cannabinol (CBN) being a noteworthy one. CBN gummies that are promoted as helping people sleep better seem to be particularly popular among consumers and patients.

One market that has witnessed an increase in products containing cannabinol being sold is in Japan. Unfortunately, such products are facing a recently announced upcoming ban by the nation’s Health Ministry.

“Japan’s health ministry announced Wednesday that it has classified cannabinol (CBN), a compound derived from cannabis, as a “designated drug,” banning its manufacture, import, sale and use starting June 1, except for limited medical purposes.” reported The Japan Times in its local coverage. “Under the revised ordinance, CBN products — sold domestically both at in-person stores and online as gummies, cookies, oils and vapes — will effectively disappear from the consumer market.”

“Only patients with specific conditions, such as intractable diseases with no alternative treatment, will be allowed to use them.” the outlet also reported. “Consumers who are currently in possession of any products containing CBN must dispose of them by June 1, the ministry said.”

In late December 2023, Japan’s parliament approved a reform measure that legalized cannabis-derived medical products under certain conditions. The approved public policy measure also imposed stiff penalties for the use of non-approved cannabis products, although the measure did not specifically address every known cannabinoid.

Once the measure went into effect, someone caught consuming illegal cannabis products in Japan faces a penalty of up to seven years in prison, but possession of most products derived from industrial hemp was outside of the scope of the new law. It left the window open for hemp-derived products containing lesser-known cannabinoids, such as cannabinol. That window is now set to close.