Cannabinoid "THCH" is designated substance! Never obtain and use products including THCH

On July 25, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued the ministerial ordinance for specifying two substances of cannabinoid (THCH: Tetrahydrocannabihexol) contained in dangerous drugs as designated substances in the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. The ministerial ordinance became effective on August 4, 2023. It is prohibited to produce, import, sell, carry and use designated substances for non-medical purposes.

According to the Medical Facilities Network¹ and PIO-NET², some people were raced to hospital after eating food containing THCH. It has been prohibited to purchase and carry THCH. Be sure not to purchase and use products containing THCH.

1. ¹ The Medical Facilities Network is a joint project by the Consumer Affairs Agency and NCAC which started operating from December 2010. The network collects accident reports on people receiving treatment at medical facilities after suffering life-threatening or bodily injuries in their daily lives.
2. ² PIO-NET is a database that collects information on inquiries concerning consumer affairs by linking NCAC with local consumer affairs centers and similar organizations across Japan via an online network.

Sample case registered with Medical Facilities Network

• After eating THCH gummy candy, a woman felt sick and told she saw hallucination. She was raced to hospital.

Sample cases registered with PIO-NET

• After having THCH capsules bought on a shopping site, a woman got numbness in her upper body including face and her eyes wandered. She experienced serious dizziness and passed out. She was raced to hospital. She lost consciousness for two days and received treatment in an intensive care unit.
• After eating THCH gummy candy bought on a shopping site, a man felt sick. He bought the gummy candy without knowing effects of ingredients written on the item description.

Advice for consumers

• It has been prohibited to produce, import, sell, carry and use THCH for non-medical purposes. Never obtain and use products containing THCH.