Easing of drug laws to legalise hemp products ruled out
Any relaxation of drug laws to legalise hemp products has been ruled out by the narcotics chief.
The Narcotics Division said yesterday the Action Committee Against Narcotics advised it against any change in laws forbidding tetrahydro-cannabinol, the psycho-active ingredient in marijuana.
Cosmetic retailer the Body Shop called for the relaxation after being told to withdraw its hemp-seed oil-based products in November as they contained small amounts of the substance, illegal under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
Narcotics Commissioner Clarie Lo Ku Ka-lee said: 'We think the existing legislation works and we do not see any reasons why we should amend the law.' The chain argued that concentrations were so small in the products users would have to eat more than 28,000 bars of hemp soap to get any mind-altering effect.
The relaxation call was supported by several legislators and the Department of Health ruled there was no evidence of any health risk.
Body Shop general manager for Hong Kong Marcus Tancock said the legislation had 'double-standards' and should be amended.
'The same laws were amended in Canada for these same reasons,' he said.
Alcohol was used in similar minimal amounts in certain foods, such as bread, but it did not mean they were intoxicating, Mr Tancock said.
Hemp products represented about 12 per cent of the chain's total sales.
