China, a nation with a 12,000-year history of cannabis use, now produces an estimated 50% of the world’s illegal cannabis supply despite its strict anti-drug laws. In 2025, the country remains a mystery, it’s a global leader in industrial marijuana production yet imposes life imprisonment or the death penalty for trafficking marijuana.
Is Cannabis Legal in China? Legal Status in 2025
No, cannabis is illegal in China for both recreational and medical use. It is classified alongside dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine under the PRC Criminal Law, and the country has a zero-tolerance policy towards it.
However, cannabis with very low levels of THC (less than 0.3%) is legal in three provinces Yunnan, Heilongjiang, and Jilin. This type of cannabis is used to make products like textiles, construction materials, and CBD cosmetics, supporting a $1.2 billion industry.
1. Recreational Use
The act of cultivating moderate amounts for personal use is prosecuted at the same level as trafficking; any use of drugs must be quelled. Even amongst suspected cases, such as if, for example, a signal of blood or urine drug test might be performed during a routine stop, first offenders can be charged with a 15-day detention and fined up to $325.
2. Medicinal Use
Medicinal use was prohibited, and non-psychoactive varieties of CBD such as treats and foods were not allowed to be added to medicines or supplements unless a scarce government-approved medication warranted the medication.
While the country produces 60% of the world’s CBD for export, no access to the average patient exists in China.
3. Industrial Use
China, however, is the leading global producer of industrial hemp, with 70% of the world’s hemp fiber used for textiles, ropes, and bioplastics.
While cosmetics like candles and creams were previously classified into different groups, the start of CBD from hemp flowers leads to a proper classification with cosmetics such as serums and sunscreens specified only if made by state-approved companies.
Cannabis Usage and Its Impact in China
1. Recreational Drug Use
Despite strong anti-cannabis penalties, cannabis use is quite common in China. A study conducted in 2023 showed that 12% of young adults aged 18-35 years in cities like Shanghai have at least tried the drug. The illegal market is still flourishing, with people using the internet to buy cannabis with additives that may be toxic or excessive in THC.
2. Mental Health Concerns
The government claims that cannabis leads to mental illnesses like psychosis and depression. In the years covering 2020 to 2024, it has reported a 30% increase in hospital visits for drug-related problems. Some people believe that illegality makes people resort to less safe products, thereby enriching the drug markets.
3. Industrial Cannabis Use
Straddling the line between quasi-legal and fully legal, the industrial hemp sector can be an enormous engine, supporting 500,000 jobs and generating $3.8 billion annually in exports.
It has become a new force with innovative uses such as hempcrete and CBD skincare products. This certainly puts China, as the producer of eco-friendly materials, in the front row.
Cannabis Cultivation in China
Cultivation of cannabis for recreational or medical purposes is punishable by death while industrial hemp farming is legal subject to strict permits. Yunnan Province alone harvests 160,000 acres of hemp yearly, supplying global markets with textiles and CBD extracts.
Law and Control of Cannabis in China
1. How Cannabis Laws Are Enforced
Authorities give top priority to drug-related crimes, with 1.2 million drug-related arrests reported. In courts, sentences are often correspondingly long, such as when a 64-year-old woman was sentenced to four months of imprisonment in 2019 because she was found guilty of possession of marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain.
2. The Illegal Cannabis Market
China’s illicit cannabis market generates $20 billion per year, and operations are linked with international cartel groups. In 2024, authorities dismantled a Guangdong-based syndicate funding illegal farms in California, further emphasizing the market’s wider relevance.
Cannabis Penalties in China
| Offense | Penalty |
| Penalties for Trafficking | Trafficking >5 kg of cannabis can lead to life imprisonment or execution. |
| Penalties for Growing Cannabis | Cultivating >5,000 plants results in 5+ years’ imprisonment, while smaller operations face fines and forced crop destruction. |
| Penalties for Personal Use | 10–15 days’ detention + $325 fine. |
Future of Cannabis Legalization in China
Given the significance of ensuring social stability, China shows no signs of legalizing recreational or medical cannabis.
Industrial hemp reforms may nevertheless be set to expand by 2030, the government intends to increase CBD cosmetic exports by 200%. Advocacy groups lobby for medical research-building while the opposition is the political fight.
