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Medical — LegalAsia

South Korea

South Korea became the first East Asian country to legalize medical cannabis in March 2019 through an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act. Access is highly restricted, requiring approval from the Korea Orphan Drug Center for individual patient import permits.

Ask the Expert about South Korea
Regulator
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Key Legislation
Narcotics Control Act Amendment
Year Legalized
2019
Program Size
Very limited; individual import permi...

Key Facts

  • First country in East Asia to legalize medical cannabis
  • Patients must apply through the Korea Orphan Drug Center for import authorization
  • Only CBD-based products (e.g., Epidiolex) and specific approved formulations are eligible
  • Domestic cultivation and production of cannabis remain strictly prohibited
  • Recreational use carries severe criminal penalties including imprisonment

Key Legislation

Narcotics Control Act Amendment (March 2019)

Regulatory Body

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)

No documents yet

No regulatory documents available for this jurisdiction yet. We are expanding coverage — check back later.

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China
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India
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Adult-Use & Medical — Legal
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Arizona
Adult-Use & Medical — Legal
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Australia
Medical/Recreational — Legal
Country Info
ISO Code
KR
Region
Asia
Tier
Tier 1 — Active Program
Status
Medical — Legal
Sources
MFDS Official SiteKorea Orphan Drug Center
Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Cannabis regulations change frequently. Always verify with official sources and local legal counsel before making compliance decisions.