While some claim for a complete rollback, cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs call for adequate enforcement of existing laws and a more subtle approach to manage the challenges associated with widespread recreational use.
Legalization Leads to Regulation
Two years after legalizing cannabis, Thailand is poised to tighten regulations, particularly on “recreational” use, amidst concerns about its impact on youth and rising crime.
The proposed bill, recommended by Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, aims to ban recreational cannabis while permitting its medical use.
Despite previous promises to restrict cannabis to medical use, the market has operated with minimal oversight, leading to reports of drug-related issues.
Debate on Approach
While some argue for a complete rollback, cannabis advocates and entrepreneurs call for better enforcement of existing regulations and a more nuanced approach to address the challenges associated with widespread recreational use.
The proposed bill outlines a 60,000 baht fine for using cannabis “for entertainment or pleasure,” but lacks specific details on the regulation of medical marijuana.
Political Context
Thailand made history as the first Asian country to legalize cannabis, led by the Bhumjaithai Party during the 2019 general election campaign.
The party promised farmers in the impoverished Northeast region that cannabis cultivation would become a lucrative cash crop.
Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, now the Health Minister, played a pivotal role in amending the Narcotics Law in 2022, removing cannabis from the list of controlled substances.
Implementation Challenges
Despite initial commitments to restrict cannabis to medical use, the market has operated with minimal regulation.
The Health Ministry issued regulations categorizing cannabis as a ‘controlled herb,’ requiring licenses for cultivation or sale, while also prohibiting online sales, transactions with pregnant women and individuals under 20, and public smoking.
However, unlicensed establishments and online platforms continue to facilitate easy access to cannabis, resulting in reports of drug-related issues, especially among youth.