Despite the strict cannabis regulations, Hong Kong's inaugural CBD cafe is now open for business.

Nestled in a pedestrian-only corner of Sheung Wan, amidst a labyrinth of modern coffee shops and antique stores, you'll find a low-key yet trendy spot with a few tables on the terrace.

Is it a high-end boutique? A bar? Or perhaps something else entirely?

At first glance, it's difficult to say, but with its minimalist vibe—unfinished wood floors, plain white walls, and a few simple plants—it’s not the kind of place you'd expect to casually ask for 'weed.'

Yet, according to the owner, such requests do happen from time to time at Found, the first CBD cafe in Hong Kong.

The shop offers a wide variety of CBD products – short for cannabidiol – all available for purchase.

CBD oil vials are intended for personal use, with a drop under the tongue said to help with sleeplessness.

Small boxes of CBD powders allow customers to mix the product into foods, enhancing oils and butters with cannabinoids.

There are also CBD-infused products available for pets, designed to ease joint pain and other ailments.

A comfortable seating area near Found's drink counter provides a spot for customers to unwind with a beer or coffee, both subtly enhanced with CBD to mellow out the beverages.

Currently in its soft-opening phase, the owner plans to unveil a refreshed space and a complete cafe menu next month.

How is this even allowed?

In a city where cannabinoids are still largely linked to illegal recreational use, there's a gap in public understanding of the therapeutic benefits these natural compounds offer, which are gaining acceptance in other parts of the world.

Nevertheless, there is a quiet surge in the demand for non-medical CBD products across Asia, including Hong Kong, driven by forward-thinking individuals in the food, beverage, and wellness sectors.

"We're aiming to shift the narrative here, moving away from the stereotypical stoner image," says Fiachra Mullen, co-owner of Altum International, a cannabinoid supplier for both businesses and consumers in the Asia Pacific region, which owns and operates Found.

CBD is a compound extracted from cannabis plants that has a psychoactive but non-intoxicating effect.

In other words, it provides the calming and soothing benefits of marijuana without the addictive high. In the United States and Europe, it's commonly found in face creams and smoothies, popular among health-conscious individuals for its pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition to CBD, cannabis plants contain various other compounds, some of which are legal and others illegal, depending on the location.

In Hong Kong, CBD extract is technically allowed, but its counterpart, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which causes the 'high,' is prohibited. In contrast, the United States and Europe allow CBD products with up to 0.3% THC, though even this amount is not permitted in Hong Kong.

Any CBD product sold in Hong Kong must contain no detectable THC whatsoever.

It might seem simple enough to avoid this – just use pure CBD.

Most producers, however, create the extract with a small amount of THC and other compounds sourced from industrial hemp. This blend of compounds, known as broad-spectrum, is believed to be more effective than isolated compounds alone.

"The 'entourage effect' describes how CBD works more powerfully when combined with other cannabinoids," explains Mullen. "Nature has evolved a rich compound profile over millions of years, yet some think taking only CBD will give the same benefits. You can’t expect the isolated compound to match the full-spectrum results."

While CBD alone may provide significant benefits for those dealing with anxiety and insomnia, users claim that without a hint of THC, it falls short as a painkiller, merely dulling the pain rather than fully alleviating it. However, these are the regulations in Hong Kong.

For the past two years, Mullen has collaborated with manufacturers in the US and Europe to ensure that his CBD extracts meet the purity standards required by local laws.

Altum has launched a range of pure CBD oils and powders under the retail brand Felix & Co., carefully managing the quality of the extracts to ensure compliance with regulations. The products have been in high demand, often selling out quickly.

"Most people come to us seeking help with sleep issues, but we also have parents of children with epilepsy or cerebral palsy who are using our products," shares Mullen. CBD is FDA-approved for treating two severe forms of childhood epilepsy.

"A lot of it stems from the challenges Hong Kong faced with the protests and the pandemic. Many customers use it first thing in the morning with their coffee before heading out, as it helps with mindfulness and increases their resilience for whatever the day may bring."

Raising awareness

Still unsure about what exactly CBD is? The staff at Found are approachable and open to answering any questions visitors may have. Mullen himself is often on hand to personally share the benefits of CBD.

CBD’s popularity is growing in Hong Kong, attracting both health enthusiasts (with a CBD yoga lounge at the well-known Yoga Bam Bam studio) and those with more indulgent tastes (such as craft brewer Young Master Ales, who offers a selection of CBD-infused beers). Yet, Mullen remains unsatisfied.

"There’s a large portion of the population I’m not reaching yet," Mullen admits.

While Hong Kong has a long history of using herbal remedies for wellness and health issues, there remains a strong stigma attached to anything related to cannabinoids.

Cannabis has been part of traditional healing practices throughout Asia, from Thailand to India to China, but over the years, the criminalization of these plants has led to widespread public rejection of their use in any form.

"My ideal customer is a 65-year-old woman from Hong Kong," Mullen admits. "If I can get her and her husband to walk in, hear the word 'cannabis,' and not turn away in fear, then I’ve succeeded in my mission."

Found, Unit A, G/F, 8 Tai On Terrace, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +44 5288 2281