Travelers should exercise caution, as they may face penalties for using or importing drugs that are legal abroad.
Seoul City has recently highlighted the importance of recognizing terms and images associated with cannabis. Travelers might easily come across cannabis-infused drinks, jellies, chocolates, and other products in certain U.S. states and Thailand.
When buying food items overseas, travelers should look for terms like Hemp, Cannabis, Cannabidiol, Marijuana, and Weed, whether in English or the local language.
In countries where cannabis is legal, such as the U.S. and Canada, various products, including jellies, chocolates, oils, and cosmetics, are produced and sold.
Some restaurants and convenience stores even feature menus with cannabis-infused cookies, drinks, and pork belly. In Thailand, you can find non-alcoholic soju containing cannabis, with product names in Korean.
Travelers bringing items with cannabis ingredients without approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), or using them abroad, can incur penalties, even for products like jelly.
Currently, the law imposes penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million KRW (about $37,000) for those who cultivate, possess, distribute, transport, store, or use cannabis, including smoking or consuming cannabis seeds.
Seoul City plans to integrate a health card into the “Wrist Doctor 9988” app with a warning to “Even check for chocolates when traveling abroad!” The City of Seoul, the Korea Customs Service, and the Korean Association Against Drug Abuse will also provide information about illegal drugs on their websites.
Kim Tae Hee, director of the Seoul City Health Bureau, stated, “Many food products containing cannabis can be accidentally brought back. However, ignorance is not exempt from penalties, making it crucial to be vigilant.”