Hong Kong’s ban on cannabidiol (CBD) has impacted the city’s craft beer industry.
CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants with anti-anxiety and other reported medical applications, had become popular as an infusion into beverages, food and skincare products in Hong Kong.
The government had signalled a move to reclassify CBD as a “dangerous drug” last year after a series of seizures of CBD-infused products with illegally high levels of THC.
THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, giving those who ingest it the ‘high’ commonly associated with the plant.
In Hong Kong’s craft beer scene, CBD beverages had been a popular alternative in bars when people were searching for low or non-alcoholic options, in addition to general curiosity about the compound’s health and wellness effects.
Brewers have had to completely halt the production of any beers containing CBD due to the ban, with producers of beverages and other products containing the substance now facing life imprisonment or a HKD 5,000,000 (USD 636,000) fine.
Hong Kong brewery Yardley Brothers, which had previously launched a series of CBD-infused beers, sold out of their range last year in anticipation of the ban.
The brewery had developed a dedicated CBD range called ‘Lo/Hi’, which featured the Mango Cheesecake CBD Sour (0.9% ABV, 66mg CBD/l) and the Blueberry Blackberry Raspberry Strawberry CBD Sour (0% ABV, 100mg CBD/l).
“A year ago, we were very excited about a future where bars could be a social pharmacy, for consumers to freely choose what was best for them,” shares Yardley Brothers Founder Luke Yardley.
“Today it feels like a bit of a step backwards for HK. We will keep innovating and find new ways to push the boundaries of what beer is in Asia”.
Fellow Hong Kong brewery Young Master Ales had also released a series of CBD-infused beers named HEA – meaning ‘kill time’ in Cantonese – as an “antidote to the stresses of modern life and a series of inventive drinks” working with other players in the the-then legal industry including CBD-specialist boutique Found.
Young Master’s range also included beers like the Hea Pale Ale with added CBG, another compound which “works within the endocannabinoid system and has a range of anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing benefits”.
