As more South Koreans prepare for long-awaited holiday trips, the Seoul metropolitan government has issued a strong warning about the risks associated with drug consumption abroad. It emphasized that even products like marijuana, which may be legally sold in some countries, can result in severe penalties if brought into or used within South Korea.
The government pointed out that travelers might encounter marijuana-infused products, such as beverages, gummies, and chocolates, in various locations, including certain U.S. states and Thailand.
To avoid issues, Korean citizens are advised to become familiar with the terms and visual markers associated with marijuana. They should carefully check for these substances in food items before consuming them while traveling.
In countries like the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Uruguay, Malta, Luxembourg, and South Africa, where recreational marijuana is legal, products containing cannabis are available for purchase. Therefore, when buying food abroad, it’s crucial to look for terms such as “hemp,” “cannabis,” “THC,” “cannabidiol” (CBD), “cannabinol” (CBN), “marijuana,” and “weed,” both in English and the local language, as well as any relevant images.
The Korea Customs Service has reported that marijuana-infused products, including gummies, chocolates, oils, and cosmetics, are increasingly being manufactured and distributed in countries where marijuana is legalized, such as the U.S. and Canada. In response, the Seoul city government urges citizens to exercise heightened caution when shopping online or traveling to these countries.
In these regions, marijuana-infused items are available in various forms, from cookies and beverages to dishes like pork belly paired with cannabis. Notably, in Thailand, non-alcoholic soju containing marijuana is labeled in Korean, so it’s essential to look for “marijuana leaf images” before making a purchase.
Bringing marijuana-containing products into South Korea or consuming them abroad without proper approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety can result in severe penalties under the Narcotics Control Act. Current laws stipulate that anyone involved in the cultivation, possession, transfer, transport, storage, or use of marijuana, or those who consume marijuana or cannabis seeds, could face up to five years in prison or fines up to 50 million won (approximately $37,000).
Those who manufacture, sell, or facilitate the sale of marijuana or who cultivate cannabis for export or sale face a minimum of one year in prison. To help prevent accidental encounters with marijuana products while traveling, the city of Seoul has introduced a health card titled “Travel Advisory: Check Your Chocolate!” on the “Wrist Doctor 9988” app and is providing information about illegal narcotics on the websites of the city of Seoul, the Korea Customs Service, and the Korea Drug Abuse Prevention Center.
Kim Tae Hee, Director of the Seoul Citizen Health Bureau, emphasized, “Most marijuana-containing food products can be unknowingly brought back, but ignorance is no excuse for punishment. Therefore, individuals must exercise extra caution.”
“A single encounter with marijuana products can be the beginning of drug abuse,” he added. “Seoul will continue to provide information on marijuana and other narcotics to ensure that citizens are well-informed.”
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