Korean travelers are being cautioned to exercise vigilance when consuming food and beverages abroad, amid concerns that they could unwittingly ingest cannabis-infused products in countries where such substances are legal.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) issued a stark warning on Friday, highlighting the prevalence of cannabis-laced culinary items such as pork belly dishes seasoned with cannabis salt or butter, particularly in popular destinations like Thailand.
According to the NIS, many of these products lack clear ingredient labeling in Korean or English, leading unsuspecting tourists to unintentionally violate laws that are stringent back home.
Even unwitting consumption abroad can lead to severe legal repercussions upon their return to Korea. Bringing such items into the country could trigger criminal investigations, potentially resulting in significant penalties.
The NIS pointed to examples like Canada, where substances like “magic mushrooms,” considered illegal in Korea, are openly sold. Additionally, some Southeast Asian countries reportedly trade illicit substances such as drug-laced lollipops and other hallucinogens.
Magic mushrooms, known for their psilocybin and psilocin content, are capable of inducing hallucinations.
Beyond legal concerns, the intelligence agency also underscored heightened risks for tourists under the influence of such substances, citing increased vulnerability to criminal activities such as extortion or abduction.
While recreational marijuana use has been legalized in multiple jurisdictions including 24 U.S. states, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Malta, Luxembourg, and South Africa, the NIS’s warning serves as a reminder for Korean travelers to remain cautious and informed about local regulations when abroad.
This advisory aims to mitigate the inadvertent legal entanglements and personal risks associated with the consumption of cannabis-infused products overseas.
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