China (PRC): Cannabis Laws & CBD Rules

Last updated: October 14, 2025

Legal notice: Informational only—not legal advice. China enforces strict national drug laws. Always verify on official PRC portals linked below. See Legal Disclaimer & No-Warranty and Terms of Use.

High-Level Status

• Illegal for recreational use nationwide; strict enforcement under the Anti-Drug Law and the Criminal Law.
• CBD & cannabis-derived ingredients in cosmetics: Banned since May 2021 under NMPA regulatory notice (cosmetics). Cross-border e-commerce is also affected.
• Hemp: Industrial uses (fiber/seed) are regulated; this does not permit consumer cannabis products.

Practical Safety Notes

• Do not possess, consume, buy, or transport cannabis in the PRC.
• CBD cosmetics and cannabis-derived cosmetic ingredients are not permitted.
• Mainland rules differ from some other jurisdictions in Greater China (e.g., Hong Kong banned CBD in 2023); always check local enforcement.

Keep Learning

• Global context: Cannabis Laws by Country & Region
• Safety basics: Responsible Use Guide
• Our methods: How We Fact-Check, Editorial Standards, Research Updates

Official Sources (Verify Here)

• Anti-Drug Law of the PRC and related criminal provisions
• NMPA 2021 cosmetics prohibition on CBD and cannabis-derived ingredients

Tip: Government and regulator pages may be in Chinese; use official English pages where available and prefer original Chinese texts for legal precision.