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Orders to amend Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and Control of Chemicals Ordinance to be gazetted on October 21 and cannabidiol to become dangerous drug
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     ​A spokesperson for the Security Bureau said today (October 20) that the Government will publish the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2022 (DDO Order) and the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 2022 (CCO Order) in the Gazette tomorrow (October 21).  

     The DDO Order and the CCO Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 26, 2022, for negative vetting, and are expected to become effective on December 16, 2022, except for the control on cannabidiol (CBD) which will be effective on February 1, 2023. Details including the justifications of the legislative proposal could be found from the brief for the Legislative Council issued today at Annex A.

     "The trade and the public should arrange early disposal of any CBD products in their possession to avoid contravention of the law after commencement of the legal control on CBD on February 1, 2023", the spokesman said.  

     In response to suggestions from the public, the Government will arrange disposal boxes for the voluntary disposal of CBD products during a limited period. From October 27, 2022, to January 30, 2023, disposal boxes (photo at Annex B) will be placed at 10 government premises across the territory to facilitate the disposal of CBD products. A list of the 10 government premises and their respective opening hours is at Annex C. Members of the public may contact the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau at 2526 6647 during office hours (i.e. 9am to 5.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, except for Saturdays and public holidays) or by email at nocbd@sb.gov.hk for further assistance relating to the disposal of CBD products. All disposed items cannot be returned. More information on the control of CBD could be found from the website of the Narcotics Division (www.nd.gov.hk/en/index.html) as well as Facebook and Instagram pages of the Narcotics Division.  

     The DDO Order would add brorphine, CBD, clonazolam, CUMYL-PEGACLONE, diclazepam, diphenidine, flubromazolam, isotonitazene, MDMB-4en-PINACA, and metonitazene to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) (Cap. 134). These substances will be under the same strict control as other dangerous drugs under the DDO. Trafficking and illicit manufacturing of these substances are liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Possession and consumption of these substances in contravention of the DDO will be subject to a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.

     The CCO Order would add 4-anilinopiperidine, tert-butyl 4-(phenylamino) piperidine-1-carboxylate, and norfentanyl to Schedule 2 to the Control of Chemicals Ordinance (CCO) (Cap. 145). It is an offence to possess, manufacture, transport or distribute any substance controlled under the CCO for the unlawful production of dangerous drugs, or to import or export the substance not under and in accordance with a licence issued by the Customs and Excise Department. The maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for 15 years.

     The Government has been vigilant in closely monitoring drug trends in and outside Hong Kong, and takes timely action to bring new drugs under legislative control. As a regular exercise, the Government from time to time updates the list of dangerous drugs and chemicals controlled by law in Hong Kong to prevent them from posing a threat to public health and safety. The spokesperson said, "The amendments aim to deter the trafficking and abuse of these dangerous drugs and substances. This will help fortify Hong Kong's defence in the fight against drugs."
 
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:12
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