Japanese Hemp & Marijuana LawsJapan has some of the most stringent hemp and marijuana laws across the globe. Even though it is a highly advanced democracy, if you are found in possession of hemp and marijuana among other drugs is punishable by law. You could get a 5 years jail if you are found in possession of drugs or if you are found growing marijuana. Almost every year, about 2000 people are charged with sentences for being in possession or for growing the drugs in Japan. This includes locals and foreigners.
Even though hemp and marijuana were highly valued traditional medicine, food and textile corp across Asia, the harsh laws in Japan were formulated to help curb addiction. This also followed heavily restrictions by UN drug treaties and of course after WWII and the newly formed Japanese constitution. Today, more voices are being raised in the country due to the growing interest in medicinal hemp and marijuana. There is an immense call to put an end to harsh drug policies bearing in mind that hemp and marijuana have been proven to be of great medicinal value.
Political leaders including Shinto Kaikaku have been on the front lines advocating for the legalization or at least the lift on the ban on hemp and marijuana in the country. This is an effort to fight for the interest of patients in the country who would benefit from medicinal marijuana and hemp.
With the growing number of people advocating for the adjustment of hemp laws in Japan, the future of this drug used for medicinal purposes could be promising. Japan is a wealthy nation with more than 127 million people including the elderly citizens who need specialized care. The population has become quite aware of the medicinal value of hemp and marijuana and are embracing its use.
Undoubtedly, medicinal marijuana plays a significant role in enhancing cancer treatment. It alleviates chemotherapy effects and to put it to good use, the harsh laws need to be adjusted. Many patients in the country have also voiced their support for the lift on marijuana and hemp ban in Japan.
The tough marijuana laws in Japan have been around for over 70 years as indicated in the Cannabis Control Law, Article 4. You will agree that this is quite a long period bearing in mind that marijuana has been used across different parts of the globe for medicinal purposes. The media has equally been receptive in the past few years on how hemp and Marijuana help to alleviate pain in cancer patients and the treatment of other diseases.
Today, it is quite clear that Japan is embracing the use of Hemp and Marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, you must get a license to grow the plant. Hemp and marijuana laws in Japan were amended in 2018 and this was seen as a major step to a bright’ future for the medicinal use of the drug in the country.
One of the major signs that the legalization of hemp and marijuana could be on the process is the fact that the stringent draconian laws were amended in 2018. In the past, if you were found with hemp or marijuana, you would serve up to 7 years jail term. However, today, the term has been reduced to 5 years. If you are a first time offender, the police often give you a chance or a suspended sentence.
In 2017, a second-time offender 22-year-old man was not jailed because of the idea that a prison or jail term would make him worse. The Japan court system has also been keen on having other ways of dealing with such cases.
Over the years, there have been different political and activist groups advocating for the adjustment of the laws. They focus on educating the citizens of the country on the benefits of Marijuana and Hemp to promote the good side of the drug. This includes increasing the awareness that legalizing marijuana could boost the economy of the country.
Similarly, there seems to be light on the tunnel on industrial hemp. It is an agenda on many drug debates in the country because it has been widely tolerable in the country’s cottage industry. Even so, a license is required as it comes with other legal restrictions.
In a nutshell, hemp and marijuana laws in Japan are still deep-rooted. However, with different leaders and advocates championing for the adjustment on the use of hemp and marijuana for medicinal use, the future of these drugs could be promising. Although Japan has opened their doors to CBD in many different forms now. BUT, it’s got to have 0% THC in it, which opens the market to low quality types of CBD that mostly comes from places like China where most of their soil is dangerous. Marijuana/Hemp plants can literally suck out radiation to heavy metal and other hazardous material from the soil. It’s good to repair the soil, but it’s not good when that plant then is used for CBD medicine.
Currently Nihon Scope is in the middle of creating a business in Japan called Nihon Scope Unlimited to help Japanese people get good clean (LEGAL) QUALITY CBD oil and to inform and educate. A lot of the information we are learning this from is directly from Acme Hemp Labs in Colorado, where they are actually rolling 100% Hemp Cigars with THC levels below 0.3% (which is the legal limit in America under the The Farm Bill of 2018 which was signed by President Trump). It’s pretty amazing how one place in the world has so much freedom but else where people are completely unaware of the benefits and how keeping it hidden and illegal is actually hurting the people of the country by giving the pharmaceutical, big tobacco and the alcohol industries more power to keep their monopolies unhindered.
Although I believe that if they could take a note from Colorado, it not only stimulates the economy and helps people but vice in general will never go anywhere and the impact will be subtle and if they are smart they’ll read the book “Who Moved My Cheese” and just get with the times and change to adopt this growing world wide trend.
When you think about the country of Japan, what do you picture? A futuristic city full of robots, anime culture and the hippest restaurants? Or perhaps you are picturing pristine historic Buddhist temples, cherry blossoms and the sun rising over Mt. Fuji. Honshu, Japan’s largest, and most populated, island is home to all of the above – and so much more.
Honshu is located between the Sea of Japan and the Northern Pacific Ocean. Honshu is not only home to Tokyo, the world’s largest city, it is also the 7th largest island in the world. The island of Honshu is considered the historical and cultural heart of Japan. Ancient former capitals of Kyoto and Nara stand alongside Tokyo, the modern day home of Japan’s Imperial family and the center of government.
The island is composed of 34 different prefectures and is famed for its diverse natural beauty. With temperate climates, lush plant life and miles of beach coastline, the island of Honshu truly has something for everyone.
Honshu is the home of Japan’s most revered mountain, Mt. Fuji, which is located within a few hours shinkansen (bullet train ride) from the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Climbing Mt. Fuji to see the sun rise is an unforgettable experience for any adventurer. The hike up takes around eight hours and, while difficult, does not require any specialized hiking or climbing experience. But Mt. Fuji is not the only attraction in this area, which is known as the Fuji Five Lakes, is full of breathtaking scenery, small traditional inns and outdoor activities. Adventurous travelers will be excited to hear about Fuji-Q Amusement Park. This park is famous for its not-for-the-faint-of-heart selection of extreme thrill rides and coasters.
Travel a bit further east from Mt. Fuji (also known as Fujisan) and you will run right into the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area. The largest city in the world, Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis where things seem to move at hyper speed. It’s a city of contrasts, made up of a collection of 23 “special wards” each of which is then subdivided even further into different neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods are the center of life in Tokyo and each has its own unique flavor. Yanaka, Asakusa and Kawagoe are among the oldest of the Tokyo neighborhoods where you can still see Edo style buildings, theaters, shops and antique stores. If you want a little taste of what feudal Tokyo was like, these are the places to check out. You may also enjoy partaking in one of the traditional public baths that can be found in neighborhoods both old and new throughout the city. Or take a tour of one of Tokyo’s world-famous museums. The Edo Museum is full of immersive English language exhibits on the culture, history and peoples of Japan.
The history of Tokyo can be seen on its streets, in traditional architecture and in the ubiquitous presence of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. You can scarcely walk more than a block in any populated area of Japan without running into one or the other and Tokyo is no different.
But Tokyo is definitely not a city that is stuck in its past. It has earned its reputation as a high-tech wonderland and center of innovation for fashion, technology and manufacturing. The Ginza shopping district is an upscale stretch of shopping and Michelin star rated restaurants. Here you will find the very best of everything – from sushi to sunglasses. If cute is more your style, then you can go anime and kawaii-crazy in Japan’s youth-crazy “kawaii neighborhood” of Harajuku. Here stuffed animals, cute cosplay dresses and manga books will view for your attention. With so many shopping and dining options, you will be lucky if you have a single yen left after exploring these two neighborhoods. And that is just the tip of the iceberg!
Of course, Tokyo is not the island of Honshu’s only city of note. Kyoto, which has long been considered Japan’s most tradition-heavy city, is located just a few hour’s train ride from the Tokyo metro area. Walking down the streets of Kyoto, one might feel that she’s been transported back in time. As a former capital of Japan, and one of the few Japanese cities that was not heavily bombed during World War II, Kyoto is home to numerous historic sites, castles, temples and buildings.
You can take a rickshaw ride around Kyoto’s riverfront area, you will see parades of women in traditional yukatas (simple summer kimono) being pulled around by rickshaw drivers. There are numerous free or very inexpensive entertainment options for young and old alike, from shopping for traditional Japanese goods to checking out a samurai movie studio, touring a bamboo forest and visiting free-ranging monkeys at Sara Monkey Park. Kyoto is also home to Gion, the famed “geisha district” where – if you are very lucky – you might just catch a glimpse of a geisha on her way to an early evening engagement.
But Kyoto is just one of many very different cities on the island of Honshu. Hiroshima, site of Peace Park, a memorial to those lost in war. Hiroshima Castle was rebuilt after World War 2 and remains one of the country’s most beautiful examples of traditional feudal castles and is open daily for public tours. To experience a modern, hipper version of the Japanese city, you will want to check out Osaka, which is known for its more laid back vibe and friendly nightlife.
You might be surprised at how easy, and relatively inexpensive, it is to travel throughout the island. In the metropolitan areas. subway and bus systems are fast and efficient and for longer trips, the bullet train can get you where you are going in much less time than it would take to drive. Taking the shinkansen from Tokyo down through Osaka, Kyoto and on to Hiroshima is an adventure in itself. On a clear day, you may even get a good (albeit quick) glimpse of Mt. Fuji through your train window. Domestic flights are another option for intra-island travel and several airlines operate regular flights to and from Honshu’s major destinations.
Whatever your interests – nightlife, Japanese culture, outdoor adventure, shopping and dining, art or history – the island of Honshu is truly a dream destination.
The regions and its prefectures are:
Tōhoku region consists of six prefectures:
Akita Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture
Iwate Prefecture
Miyagi Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture
Kantō region consists of seven prefectures:
Chiba Prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture
Tokyo
Chūbu region consists of nine prefectures:
Aichi Prefecture
Fukui Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
Ishikawa Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
Toyama Prefecture
Yamanashi Prefecture
Kansai region consists of seven prefectures:
Hyōgo Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
Nara Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture
Chūgoku region consists of five prefectures:
Hiroshima Prefecture
Okayama Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
Tottori Prefecture
Yamaguchi Prefecture
Watch Mushi-shi for Free on Nihon ScopePast: Mushishi is a manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Urushibara. It was serialized in Afternoon Seasons Zōkan from 1999 to 2002, and in Monthly Afternoon from December 2002 to August 2008. The individual chapters were collected and released into ten tankōbon volumes by Kodansha.
About: “Mushi”: the most basic forms of life in the world. They exist without any goals or purposes aside from simply “being.” They are beyond the shackles of the words “good” and “evil.” Mushi can exist in countless forms and are capable of mimicking things from the natural world such as plants, diseases, and even phenomena like rainbows.
This is, however, just a vague definition of these entities that inhabit the vibrant world of Mushishi, as to even call them a form of life would be an oversimplification. Detailed information on Mushi is scarce because the majority of humans are unaware of their existence.
So what are Mushi and why do they exist? This is the question that a “Mushishi,” Ginko, ponders constantly. Mushishi are those who research Mushi in hopes of understanding their place in the world’s hierarchy of life.
Ginko chases rumors of occurrences that could be tied to Mushi, all for the sake of finding an answer.
My thoughts: When I first saw Mushi-shi it was apart of a pack of anime I purchased from a dropshipper that was on super discount. I ended up with tons of random first few episodes of anime series. One was actually also Speed Grapher and xxxHolic and there was a Mushi-shi DVD as well. I quickly fell in love with the idea of mushi-shi and the short stories behind these tiny energetic type creatures. I highly recommend watching this series if you’re serious about Japanese culture as this ties in well with the youkai (ghosts/spirits) and there are tons of references to popular and not so popular folk stories of the past.
It will give you a great idea about the world of Japan through a beautifully created series.
You can see more Anime here.
-Nihon Scope
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