Thailand to Ban Recreational Cannabis Use by End of Year, Allowing Only Medical

Thailand to Ban Recreational Cannabis by End of Year

Thailand's health minister, Cholnan Srikaew, announced in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that the country is set to ban the use of recreational cannabis by the end of this year. However, the use of cannabis for medical purposes will still be permitted.

Current Cannabis Landscape in Thailand

Thailand made history as the first Southeast Asian country to legalize the medicinal use of cannabis in 2018, followed by the legalization of recreational use in 2022. This move led to the rapid emergence of tens of thousands of cannabis shops across the country, with industry projections estimating its value to reach $1.2 billion by next year. However, criticisms have surfaced regarding the rushed implementation of the rules, which were adopted within a week of decriminalization.

Proposed Regulations and Concerns

Minister Srikaew emphasized the need for a new law to regulate the currently uncontrolled access to cannabis. He highlighted that without the law, individuals could exploit a loophole by purchasing cannabis from shops and falsely claiming it is for medical purposes. This unregulated access, according to Srikaew, poses the risk of potential misuse and could lead to the abuse of other drugs.

New Law and Penalties

The proposed law outlines strict penalties, including a fine of up to $1,700 for recreational use, with the possibility of a maximum jail term of one year. Additionally, individuals involved in selling cannabis or promoting related products could face a fine of up to $2,800, imprisonment, or both.

Transition Period and Business Regulations

Under the new law, businesses in the cannabis trade will be required to obtain permits, and a transition period will be provided for them to adapt to the new regulations. Existing shops will be allowed to continue operations until their licenses expire, with the option to transition to legal clinics if they adhere to the new rules.