Thailand is set to enact a ban on the recreational use of marijuana by the conclusion of this year, while maintaining its legality for medicinal purposes, as stated by the health minister in a recent interview.
Following Thailand’s groundbreaking move to legalize medicinal cannabis in 2018, followed by recreational use in 2022, a burgeoning industry of tens of thousands of cannabis shops has emerged, with projections indicating a value of up to $1.2 billion by the next year.
Critics have raised concerns about hastily implemented regulations, introduced within a week of decriminalization. To address these concerns, the government is drafting a comprehensive law to oversee cannabis usage, expected to come into effect by the end of the year.
The proposed legislation will undergo cabinet review next month before being presented to parliament for approval. Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew emphasized the need for regulation to prevent the misuse of cannabis, particularly in relation to recreational use, citing potential negative impacts on Thai youth and the risk of gateway to other substances.
The absence of overarching legislation prior to the general election in May last year left Thailand without a regulatory framework for cannabis use. Illegally operating cannabis shops will be shut down, and home cultivation of cannabis will be discouraged under the new law.
Under the proposed legislation, cannabis will be classified as a controlled plant, requiring permission for cultivation. The focus will be on supporting cannabis cultivation for medicinal and health-related purposes. Penalties for recreational use, unauthorized cultivation, and illegal sales of cannabis products will be strengthened, including fines and potential jail terms.
The import, export, cultivation, and commercial use of cannabis will also necessitate permits under the new regulations. However, recognizing the economic potential of the cannabis industry, the government plans to provide businesses with a transition period to comply with the new rules.
Existing cannabis shops will be allowed to operate until their licenses expire, with the option to transition into legal cannabis clinics if they adhere to the revised regulations. The health minister assured that these changes would not adversely affect tourism in Thailand.