# Is cannabis legal in Japan?

> Medical use only. Japan permits only approved cannabis-derived medicines on prescription following the 2023 law reform; there is no dispensary or recreational retail. CBD products are sold but must be THC-free. Rule jurisdiction: Japan. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.

Source page: https://420.camp/weed/japan  
Verified: 2026-08-30 (rule reviewed against its source) Scope: Japan.  
Published by 420.camp — quote with attribution and a link (https://420.camp/license).

## Facts

- **Legal status:** Medical use only. Japan permits only approved cannabis-derived medicines on prescription following the 2023 law reform; there is no dispensary or recreational retail. CBD products are sold but must be THC-free. Rule jurisdiction: Japan. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Can tourists buy:** Prohibited. Visitors have no legal cannabis purchase route in Japan; only approved cannabinoid medicines prescribed in the Japanese medical system are lawful. Rule jurisdiction: Japan. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **How to buy:** Access is limited to approved cannabinoid medicines on prescription. CBD (THC-free) is sold in shops.
- **Where purchase is legal:** Pharmacies
- **Medical access:** Medical use only. Access is limited to approved cannabis-derived medicines prescribed within the Japanese medical system after the 2023 law reform. Rule jurisdiction: Japan. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Possession limit:** Prohibited. Recreational cannabis possession and use are illegal in Japan and carry severe penalties. Rule jurisdiction: Japan. Reviewed: 2026-08-30.
- **Important restrictions:** There is no adult-use or recreational retail channel. Only approved cannabinoid medicines are available, and only on prescription. CBD sold in shops must be THC-free; it is not a legal THC channel. Penalties for recreational cannabis are severe, including for small quantities. Only specific approved cannabinoid medicines are available; there is no flower dispensing. Visitors have no legal purchase channel. Recreational cannabis carries severe penalties. Never carry cannabis across a national border. THC: Approved cannabinoid medicines only; recreational THC is heavily penalized.

## Sources
- [mhlw.go.jp](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11121000/001206962.pdf)
- [gov-online.go.jp](https://www.gov-online.go.jp/article/202412/entry-6856.html)

Consumption places and rules: https://420.camp/consume/japan