29-2-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand is set to ban the recreational use of marijuana by the end of 2024, according to the country’s Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew. After being the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medicinal use in 2018 and recreational use in 2022, Thailand has witnessed a surge in cannabis shops, projecting the industry to be worth up to US$1.2 billion by 2025.
Critics argue that the hasty adoption of piecemeal rules within a week of decriminalization led to an unregulated market, prompting the government to draft a new law to address the concerns. The proposed law is expected to regulate cannabis use and is scheduled for cabinet approval in March 2024 before heading to parliament for passing by the end of the year.
Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew highlighted the necessity of regulating cannabis to prevent misuse, particularly for recreational purposes. He expressed concerns about the negative impact on Thai children and the potential escalation to other drugs if left unregulated.
The previous government failed to pass legislation regulating cannabis before the general election in May 2023, leaving Thailand without comprehensive laws governing its use. The new law aims to discourage illegal cannabis shops and home-grown cannabis, categorizing cannabis as a controlled plant requiring permission for cultivation, with a focus on supporting the medical and health industry.
The proposed law outlines penalties for recreational use, with fines of up to 60,000 baht, while those selling cannabis for such use, engaging in advertising, or marketing related products face jail terms or fines. Stricter punishments are introduced for unlicensed cannabis farming, import, export, cultivation, and commercial use.
Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew emphasized that the government recognizes the economic benefits of the cannabis industry and will provide businesses with time to adjust to the new regulations. Legal cannabis clinics could replace existing shops following the new rules, and the minister assured that the regulatory changes would not impact tourism.
