Korea
19 articles
Rep. Shin Seong-beom files amendment to exclude hemp with THC ≤0.3% from cannabis under Narcotics Control Act — lays groundwork for industry-wide use
On the 7th, Rep. Shin Seong-beom (People Power Party) introduced, as lead sponsor, a partial amendment to the Act on the Control of Narcotics to fully exclude hemp (Hemp) containing 0.3% or less THC by dry weight from the scope of cannabis. The bill’s core aim is to create an institutional foundation permitting lawful use of hemp across a range of industries — including medical applications, functional foods, cosmetics, textiles and animal feed. The legislation seeks to scale nationwide the industrialization potential demonstrated in the Gyeongbuk hemp regulatory free zone, and is the fourth cannabis-related bill introduced in the National Assembly following proposals by Seo Mi-hwa, Yoon Jun-byung and Kim Hyung-dong, accelerating momentum for related lawmaking.
2026-07-08
Lawmakers Seo Mi-hwa, Kim Hyeong-dong and MFDS Hold Policy Forum on Introducing Cannabis-Derived Medicines — Call for Domestic CBD Production Raised
Lawmakers Seo Mi-hwa and Kim Hyeong-dong and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) jointly held a policy forum on July 7 at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to discuss measures for introducing cannabis-derived medicines. Experts agreed that establishing a domestic production and supply system for medical CBD (Epidiolex) is necessary to expand treatment opportunities for patients with drug‑resistant epilepsy. They highlighted the limitations of the current model, which relies entirely on imports, and criticized the complex administrative procedures. The Korean traditional medicine sector urged preparation of a development base for cannabis-containing herbal formulations. The MFDS said it would engage in the legislative process provided strict safety controls are ensured.
2026-07-07
MFDS Planning Director: 'I Support Regulatory Reforms for Medical Use of CBD' — Talks on Domestic Production Gain Momentum
Chae Gyu-han, planning director at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), said at a National Assembly policy forum that he supports the intent to reform the regulatory framework for medical use of CBD and outlined directions for expanding domestic development. Calls to secure 'pharmaceutical sovereignty' by localizing CBD production have accelerated discussions on domestic manufacturing.
2026-07-07
Professor Yang Dong-hwa of Korea University Guro Hospital: 'CBD Reduces Seizures and Improves Quality of Life in Treatment‑Resistant Pediatric Epilepsy'
Professor Yang Dong-hwa of Korea University Guro Hospital presented on the clinical role and treatment accessibility of Epidiolex (a CBD medication) for treatment‑resistant pediatric epilepsy. He highlighted its effects in reducing seizures and improving quality of life, while pointing out limitations in domestic import procedures and reaffirming the need to improve access to CBD medicines in the country.
2026-07-07
HLB Life Science R&D Joins Gyeongbuk Industrial Hemp Regulatory Free Zone — Launches Trace Cannabinoid Drug Development
HLB Life Science R&D has been selected as a joint participant in the ‘Gyeongbuk Industrial Hemp (cannabis) Regulatory Free Zone,’ designated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and has begun developing next‑generation drugs based on trace cannabinoids. The project is a consortium with Neoken Bio, A‑Pack, Envider Pharm, TopoLab, INGR and others, and — together with KIST and the Gyeongbuk Bioindustry Research Institute — will invest a total of KRW 29.6 billion over four years. The core objective is to expand validation efforts beyond CBD to include trace cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN, serving as a flagship case of technological advancement in South Korea’s hemp industry.
2026-07-06
Rep. Kim Hyeong-dong Introduces Amendment to Narcotics Control Act as Primary Sponsor — Classifies CBD as Psychotropic Pharmaceutical, Establishes Basis for Domestic Manufacture
Rep. Kim Hyeong-dong (People Power Party) has introduced, as the primary sponsor, an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act to classify hemp-derived components with proven medical efficacy, such as CBD, as psychotropic pharmaceuticals and permit domestic manufacturing and product approvals. The bill also includes measures to support hemp industrialization in Andong and proposes establishing a state-led Medical Narcotics Raw Materials Management Center to create a tightly controlled system from cultivation through manufacture.
2026-07-06
Gyeongbuk Designated as New Regulatory Free Zone to Expand Demonstration of Minor Cannabinoids (CBG, CBC, CBN)
At its 18th meeting, the Regulatory Free Zone Committee designated North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongbuk) as a new regulatory free zone to expand demonstration projects for minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBC, CBN). The designation will enable the Andong hemp industry to develop finished pharmaceutical products from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), substantially expanding the scope of hemp industrialization in Gyeongbuk.
2026-06-29
Korean Dispensary Conducts Cannabinoid Research with Korea University and Wonkwang University Under Controlled‑Substances Academic Researcher Permit
Korean Dispensary is collaborating with Korea University and Wonkwang University to carry out cannabinoid research based on a permit for academic researchers working with controlled substances. As a rare private company in Korea conducting research on controlled substances, it is building infrastructure for importing, analyzing, and applying cannabinoid constituents and contributing to the development of a domestic cannabinoid research ecosystem.
2026-06-29
CBD Extracted from Hops, Not Hemp — Could This Open a New Pet Healthcare Market?
CBD extracted from hops (rather than hemp) is drawing attention as a new ingredient for pet healthcare. At the “Hops-derived Bioindustry Development Forum” held on the 17th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, the scientific properties of hops-derived CBD and its potential industrial applications were presented. The non-hemp CBD market is projected to grow to 80 trillion won by 2030.
2026-06-17
Hemp Extract Normalizes Body Weight and Blood Glucose in Obese Mice Without Diet or Exercise — UC Riverside Study
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside administered a hemp extract to obese mice for 30 days and observed simultaneous weight loss and normalization of visceral fat and blood glucose levels without dietary changes or exercise. The full-spectrum extract produced greater blood-glucose improvements than THC alone, highlighting a potential new metabolic pathway for obesity treatment.
2026-05-26
Northern Gyeongbuk Emerges as Hub for Advanced Biomaterials Hemp Industry
The northern region of North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongbuk) is positioning itself as a center for industrial hemp (HEMP). Once limited to traditional sambe (hemp cloth) production, the hemp sector has been transformed into an advanced biomaterials industry, building a full value chain from domestic cultivar development to finished pharmaceutical manufacturing. The region is now awaiting the final steps toward designation as a new regulatory-free special zone in June.
2026-05-13
Gyeongbuk Province to Advance Medical Hemp Industry Hub — GMP Facility for CBD API Targeted to Begin Operations in 2027
Gyeongbuk Province plans to develop the northern part of the province into an industrial hemp (HEMP) hub. A final decision on designation as a new regulation‑free special zone (regulatory sandbox) is expected in June. NeoKen Bio is building a GMP manufacturing facility for CBD active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) worth 15 billion won, targeting operation in 2027. The project was selected for a competitive grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs worth 5.7 billion won.
2026-05-13