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Cannabis and hemp laws
South Korea
Recreational cannabis illegal, medical limited; CBD and hemp restricted
Adult use
Illegal
Medical
Limited
Last reviewed
May 29, 2026
South Korea
Cannabinoid status board
No items found.
South Korea
Latest news and analysis
FAQ
Common questions
Is marijuana legal in South Korea?
Recreational cannabis is illegal in South Korea and has been since the Cannabis Control Act of 1976, which was later consolidated into the Act on the Control of Narcotics, Etc. (Narcotics Act).
Is CBD legal in South Korea?
CBD in South Korea is restricted and treated as a narcotic substance unless it meets a narrow medical exception.
Is hemp legal in South Korea?
Hemp cultivation in South Korea is restricted and licensed under the Narcotics Act and the Hemp Management Act, with the Rural Development Administration overseeing licensed growers.
Can you travel to South Korea with cannabis or CBD?
Import and export of cannabis for non-medical purposes is prohibited under the Narcotics Act. Personal CBD imports are prohibited.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Seed Legality
Korea's law excludes seeds from its cannabis definition, but supplying or importing viable seed for growing is prosecuted.
Hemp seeds
Restricted
Marijuana seeds
Restricted
Sale
Restricted
Transacting
Restricted
Gifting
Unclear / Unregulated
The Narcotics Control Act's definition of cannabis expressly excludes the seeds, roots and mature stalks of Cannabis sativa L., which is why hulled hemp seed circulates freely as food in South Korea. Cultivation without a hemp cultivation licence issued under the Act is nonetheless a serious offence, and supplying or importing viable seed for germination can be prosecuted as facilitating unlicensed cultivation, so viable seed is effectively confined to licensed channels. Licensed farmers grow fibre and seed hemp under local permits, including within the Gyeongbuk (Andong) industrial hemp regulation-free zone established in 2020. The status of privately gifting viable seeds is not clearly settled and is recorded as unclear.
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This section is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Seed laws change frequently — verify current law with qualified counsel before making decisions.