South Korea will ease up on marijuana and all marijuana-derived materials for the first time in nearly half a century by allowing imports of certain types of medical marijuana starting next month.

The Korean government decided to revise the marijuana and drug laws to permit imports of cannabis cleared by government health authorities overseas for medical purposes last year in response to growing demand from patients with rare diseases.

The move is in line with the international trend toward a medical use of marijuana following a number of studies that have proved the safety of a medical use of marijuana. The new regulations will take effect on Mar. 12.

Under the deregulatory move, imports of four types of cannabis products will be facilitated through the Korea Orphan Drug Center – a government body established to support patient access to orphan drugs – to treat rare conditions including epilepsy if there is no substitute medicine available in Korea.

The products are cannabidiol (CBD)-based medications already approved by health agencies in certain countries, including multiple countries in Western Europe, a majority of states in the United States, and Canada. Imports of marijuana-derived food, oil or extracts are not approved as medicine overseas are still prohibited.

Patients are required to submit an application and supporting evidence for cannabis therapy to receive treatment.

Cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant without the psychoactive effects of another major ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that causes a high.

The Korea Medical Cannabis Organization, a patient advocacy group, petitions for prescription of medical cannabis in wider therapeutic areas and other follow-up measures to increase patient access and treatment outcomes.

By Kim Tae-joon and Minu Kim

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