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Cannabis and cannabis-derived products are tightly regulated in China. At the national level, possession, sale, trafficking, cultivation, and manufacturing of psychoactive cannabis products containing tetrahydrocannabinol - THC - are criminal offenses with serious penalties. China does not recognize a legal recreational cannabis market, and medicinal cannabis with THC is not part of the approved medical system. Enforcement in Chengdu follows national laws, with local public security and customs authorities actively investigating and prosecuting drug-related offenses. Industrial hemp - plants with very low THC content - is subject to strict licensing and supervision, and permission to grow, process, or sell hemp-based products generally requires approval from relevant government departments.
Legal issues involving cannabis can be complex, risky, and fast-moving. You should consider hiring a lawyer if you face any of the following situations:
- You have been detained, questioned, or arrested by police in connection with suspected possession, use, trafficking, or distribution of cannabis or related products.
- Customs has seized imported or exported goods believed to contain controlled cannabis substances, or you face customs penalties.
- You are planning a business that involves hemp cultivation, processing, manufacturing, or sales and need help with licensing, compliance, or contracts.
- You received administrative sanctions such as compulsory rehabilitation, administrative detention, or fines.
- You face employment, child custody, immigration, or professional-license consequences because of drug-related allegations or convictions.
- You need to assess whether a CBD or hemp product complies with Chinese regulations and whether it is safe to import, market, or use in Chengdu.
- You are a foreign national and require consular assistance or legal representation following detention or investigation.
Key legal principles and enforcement features to know in Chengdu:
- National criminal law applies: Serious offenses involving manufacture, trafficking, sale, or large-scale possession of cannabis products can lead to lengthy prison terms and, in the most severe trafficking cases, life imprisonment or capital punishment. Lesser offenses remain criminal and can carry multi-year sentences.
- Administrative penalties for drug use: Individuals found using illegal drugs can be subject to administrative detention, fines, and compulsory drug rehabilitation measures imposed by public security organs.
- Strict control on production and distribution: Any cultivation, processing, or commercial use of cannabis plants that yield psychoactive substances must be authorized. Unauthorized cultivation or processing can trigger criminal liability.
- Industrial hemp regulation: Hemp strains with negligible THC levels may be permitted in certain contexts if producers obtain required licenses and meet testing, tracking, and reporting obligations. Provincial and municipal authorities determine specific licensing procedures and enforcement priorities.
- Customs and cross-border control: Imports and exports of cannabis-derived products are closely monitored. Seizures at ports and airports can lead to criminal and administrative proceedings.
- Law enforcement actors: Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau, Sichuan provincial public security authorities, local customs offices, and national drug-control agencies coordinate investigations and prosecutions.
Yes. Possession of cannabis that contains psychoactive cannabinoids such as THC is illegal and can result in criminal prosecution or administrative penalties depending on the amount and circumstances.
CBD occupies a legally sensitive area. Products with detectable THC are illegal. Even CBD products claimed to be THC-free may be subject to customs control or regulatory scrutiny. Commercial sale and medical use of CBD are not broadly authorized. Seek legal and regulatory advice before importing, selling, or using CBD products.
China does not generally permit medical cannabis treatments that include THC. Approved medicines follow strict registration and clinical requirements. Patients and medical providers must rely on authorized pharmaceuticals and official guidance from health authorities.
If detained, you may be subject to criminal investigation, administrative detention, or compulsory rehabilitation. You have the right to legal representation. It is important to request a lawyer promptly, avoid making self-incriminating statements without counsel, and document the detention details.
Yes. Foreigners are subject to the same criminal and administrative laws as Chinese nationals. Consular notification rights apply - you may request that authorities notify your consulate, but procedures can vary. Contact your embassy or consulate as soon as possible if detained.
Penalties depend on the quantity, role in the offense, and aggravating factors. Small-scale distribution may lead to multi-year imprisonment, while large-scale trafficking can result in very long sentences or capital punishment in extreme cases. Administrative penalties may also apply for lower-level offenses.
Hemp cultivation may be allowed only under strict licensing and regulatory controls. Anyone seeking to grow, process, or sell hemp-based products must obtain all required permits and comply with testing and reporting rules. Consult local agricultural and public security authorities and a qualified lawyer before starting hemp operations.
Preserve all shipping records and product documentation, request a written seizure notice, and contact a lawyer experienced in customs and narcotics matters. You may need to provide certificates, test results, and import approvals - a lawyer can help negotiate with customs and prepare appeals or administrative challenges if appropriate.
Options are limited. China has processes for parole, sentence reductions, and rehabilitation, but expungement as understood in some jurisdictions is rare. A lawyer can advise on mitigation, appeals, sentence-reduction opportunities, and administrative relief where available.
Look for criminal defense lawyers and regulatory counsel with experience in drug law, customs disputes, and administrative procedures. Contact the Chengdu Bar Association or local legal aid offices for referrals, and ask prospective lawyers about their experience with narcotics cases and regulatory compliance for hemp businesses.
Helpful institutions and bodies to contact or research when you need guidance:
- Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau - Narcotics Control Division - handles local drug enforcement and investigations.
- Sichuan Provincial Public Security Department - coordinates provincial enforcement and major cases.
- Local customs office in Chengdu - enforces import and export controls on controlled substances and hemp products.
- National Narcotics Control Commission - sets national drug control policy and coordinates interagency efforts.
- National Medical Products Administration and provincial health authorities - oversee drug approval and pharmaceutical regulation.
- Chengdu Bar Association and local legal aid centers - can provide referrals and, in some cases, subsidized legal assistance.
- Provincial agricultural or forestry departments - manage licensing and supervision for industrial hemp where applicable.
If you need legal assistance in Chengdu for a cannabis-related matter, follow these steps:
- If you are detained or under investigation - remain calm, clearly request a lawyer, avoid answering substantive questions without counsel, and ask authorities to notify your consulate if you are a foreign national.
- Gather and preserve documents - receipts, product information, test certificates, shipping records, medical records, and any written notices from authorities.
- Contact a qualified lawyer promptly - choose someone with experience in narcotics criminal defense, customs law, or hemp regulatory compliance depending on your issue.
- For business projects - obtain legal and regulatory advice before you start. Conduct due diligence, apply for necessary licenses, implement testing and traceability, and prepare compliance documentation.
- Use official channels for appeals and administrative challenges - a lawyer can file motions, appeals, or administrative reviews on your behalf and represent you in court or before administrative bodies.
Facing a cannabis-related legal issue in Chengdu can have significant consequences. Early legal advice and careful handling of evidence and communications with authorities greatly improve your ability to manage risk and protect your rights.
