In response to the problem of people who ate gummies containing ingredients similar to cannabis complaining of poor physical condition one after another, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that it will make a "comprehensive designation" to regulate ingredients similar to "HHCH" in gummies as a designated drug as early as the beginning of the year.
The problem with dangerous drugs similar to cannabis is that when they are regulated by law, unregulated similar ingredients are made and commercialized, and they continue to be in a cat-and-mouse game.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has already added "HHCH", which was included in "cannabis gummies" that have caused many people to get sick, and the sale, possession, and use will be prohibited from December 12.
However, since there is a risk that products containing ingredients similar to HHCH will appear in the future, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced a policy to make a "comprehensive designation" that collectively regulates ingredients similar in structure to "HHCH" as designated drugs as early as the beginning of the year.
In addition, the Narcotics Control Department of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and others conducted on-site inspections of 2 dealers and manufacturing sites in 11 prefectures by November 29 to determine whether products containing "HHCH" were sold, and as a result, products containing "HHCH" were confirmed at 17 stores, etc., and all of them issued inspection orders and sales suspension orders.
Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Takemi said, "We would like to communicate the dangers through social media and other means, warn people not to purchase products containing HHCH ingredients, collect necessary knowledge about similar ingredients, and proceed with the procedures for comprehensive measures as soon as possible."