11-1-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand is considering a ban on the recreational use of cannabis and imposing substantial penalties on offenders, aiming to address the legal uncertainties that emerged after the country became the first in Asia to decriminalize the plant.
According to the draft bill published by the Health Ministry, smoking marijuana and using it for recreational purposes in any form will be prohibited. The use of cannabis and its products will be limited exclusively to medical and healthcare purposes.
The proposed legislation represents the latest effort by authorities to regulate the cannabis industry after a previous bill failed to secure parliamentary support. It is also in line with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s election promise to restrict marijuana use to medical purposes, driven by concerns regarding addiction.
Under the proposed bill, individuals found smoking cannabis for recreational purposes could face fines of up to 60,000 baht (US$1,720). Those involved in selling cannabis or its extracts for recreational use may be sentenced to up to one year in jail or fined up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Thailand’s cannabis industry has been operating in a legal gray area since the plant was decriminalized in 2022, with lawmakers yet to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the sector.
The new government is determined to eliminate the regulatory vacuum that has resulted in the proliferation of thousands of dispensaries across the country. These establishments offer a wide range of cannabis products, from buds to oil extracts containing less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” sensation.
Under the proposed regulations, advertising or marketing campaigns for cannabis buds, extracts, or smoking devices will be strictly prohibited. Additionally, driving under the influence of cannabis will be punishable by a fine of up to 20,000 baht or one year in jail. The government also plans to tighten licensing requirements for cannabis cultivation, sales, exports, and imports. Once the new rules come into effect, growers will be required to apply for a license within 60 days, while existing dispensaries can continue operating until they renew their permits.
It is important to note that the government has not taken steps to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic again, which would have resulted in longer prison sentences and higher fines.
The public and industry stakeholders have until January 23 to provide feedback on the bill. The Health Ministry may make further revisions before submitting it to the cabinet, which will then send it to parliament for approval.
