Drug Safety Ministry bans imports of cannabis-substitute candies

Jelly containing HHC-O-acetate [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Monday banned imports of the cannabis-like compound HHC-O-acetate in the form of candies and jelly over public health concerns.

Ingestion of the substance can cause derangement as it has a similar structure to cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol. The addictive compound can also make the user highly dependent on the substance both physically and psychologically.

The food safety authorities classified the substance as a second-tier narcotic, a categorization for substances that were not formerly designated as illegal drugs but are likely to harm public health or be misused as a substitute for illicit drugs.

The ministry requested the Korea Customs Service to hold the processing of foreign-origin food products containing HHC-O-acetate.

It also sought coordination with the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block Korean internet users’ access to online marketplaces offering such cannabinoid sweets.

Brownie made of cannabinoid ingredients [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Besides the newly administered HHC-O-acetate, the ministry has been overseeing the circulation of two other cannabinoid substances — hexahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabiphorol — to prevent them from entering the country.

The ministry has been controlling the imports of hazardous food items since 2008. The authorities designated a total of 288 substances, including HHC-O-acetate.

“It is important to check whether foreign food products are not prohibited or restricted items on the ministry’s website before making a purchase,” an official from the ministry said.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]