North Korea

Is CBD Legal in North Korea?

Status

Illegal

Covers

CBD

Jurisdiction

Independent Country

Last updated

May 29, 2026

The short answer

CBD has no separate legal recognition in the DPRK. The narcotics provisions of the Criminal Code address cannabis as a controlled material without distinguishing cannabinoid composition. The Ministry of Public Health and the State Quality Control Commission do not publish a registered pharmaceutical containing CBD. Independent verification of pharmacopoeia inclusions is not possible from outside the country.

Travelers arriving on permitted tourist itineraries or diplomatic missions should not import CBD products. Customs and State Security may treat any cannabis-derived material as contraband, with detention and potential deportation of foreign nationals. Domestic consumers have no legal route to CBD goods. Defector and external researcher accounts occasionally mention informal use of cannabis derivatives in rural areas, but this does not reflect legal status. Outside reporting on DPRK pharmaceutical policy is incomplete, and readers should weight any claim about CBD availability with appropriate skepticism.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.

Key facts ·

North Korea

Key facts

Rules at a glance

All countries

THC limit

No CBD-specific threshold - all cannabinoids restricted

Regulator

Ministry of Public Health; State Quality Control Commission; Ministry of State Security

Key regulation

Criminal Code of the DPRK, Articles 206-216; Law on Health (general)

Effective

July 22, 2015

Adult-use cannabis

Illegal

Medical cannabis

Illegal

For brands and importers

Import and export rules

CBD products may not be imported. The General Bureau of Customs treats cannabis derivatives as controlled. There is no DPRK export of cannabinoid products. Information availability is limited.

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