BEIJING, China – May 2021: On 11 May 2021, the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCA) announced to place synthetic cannabinoids under national control using a generic definition as well as additional 18 substances using an individual listing approach. The control measure will be effective as of 1st of July 2021. Details on the definition and substances listed have been included in the legal database of the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS (EWA) under China (accessible here: China Generic Legislation).

Photo: Announcement of the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission


Source: Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission

Synthetic cannabinoids constitute the second largest group of substances reported to the EWA worldwide and their use has been associated with severe negative health consequence. Currently, no synthetic cannabinoid has been licensed for medical use.  

The Government of China has already introduced various scheduling measures in the past including a class-wide scheduling of fentanyl-related substances on 1st of May 2019 and the individual scheduling of well over 100 NPS belonging to different classes (see more detailed information below).

For more information please see:

• Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission, announcement (May 2021).
• UNODC, Information on synthetic cannabinoids
• UNODC, newsclip: April 2019 – China: Announcement to place all fentanyl-related substances under national control
• UNODC, newsclip: August 2018 – China: China places additional 32 new psychoactive substances under national control
• UNODC, newsclip: March 2017 – China: Carfentanil, furanylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl and valerylfentanyl placed under national control
• UNODC, newsclip: October 2015 – China: China announces controls over 116 New Psychoactive Substances
• UNODC, newsclip: January 2014 - China: The Food and Drug Administration announces the addition of more NPS to the list of controlled drugs