Will Thailand Finally Legalize Cannabis?
Thailand has submitted a bill to regulate its cannabis industry and legalize medical cannabis.
The updated bill is the latest in a series of attempts by the Thai government to restrict marijuana to only health and medical uses. Under the new draft, recreational cannabis is restricted and only allowed when used in medical treatments and state agency research.
The public health ministry published the bill, just a few days after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office. Under it anyone found consuming cannabis or its extracts for anything other than what is specified in the bill can be fined up to 60,000 baht (US$1,850). Those caught selling cannabis or cannabis products not specified under the law could face up to 1 year of jail time or a 100,000 bath (US$3,070), or both.
Still the new bill is seen as more progressive towards cannabis legalization compared to the previous administration. It takes on a softer stance towards recreational cannabis and is also no longer going along with ex-prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s plan to reclassify cannabis as a ‘narcotic’.
Thailand Is The First Asian Country To Decriminalize Medical Cannabis
In 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalize medical cannabis. Almost overnight, their cannabis industry boomed.
Dispensaries mushroomed at every corner, especially around Bangkok’s lucrative tourist hotspots. Even street vendors were advertising cannabis-infused menus. The unregulated market was getting to be a bit too much and public backlash erupted over concerns of abuse and crime.
Then after the general election in May 2023, the coalition government headed by the Pheu Thai Party took over leadership and announced a crackdown.
Calling cannabis a drug that ‘destroys the future of the nation’, the campaign vowed to ban recreational cannabis and curb substance abuse among the youth.
Outrage Over Flip-flop Cannabis Policy
In July 2024, cannabis activists and entrepreneurs marched to the Government House in Bangkok to protest the ban. Prasitchai Nunuan, a representative of a pro-cannabis network said that instead of criminalizing the plant again, the Health Ministry should be regulating it.
Over 1.1 million Thais have registered to grow cannabis ever since its legalization. If the new restrictions were to be enforced it would devastate their livelihood as well as the over 6,000 dispensaries that have popped out over the country.
Under the proposed ban, farmers growing without a license would face a possible jail sentence of up to 3 years or fines up to 300,000 baht (US$9,220). Businesses who advertise or market cannabis products for recreational use could be fined up to 100,000 baht (US$3,070)
The Health Minister cited a spike in drug-related violence, many who were not of legal age. In 2023, the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis-related psychological issues rose to 63,000, compared to 37,000 patients in 2022.
Ironically, part of the decision in 2022 to legalize cannabis was to boost rural economies by easing the overcrowding situation in prisons. Anutin Charnvirakul, the acting Health Minister at the time oversaw the legalization process. He is the current Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the the Bhumjaithai Party, part of the new government coalition.
