Thailand's Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, has announced in an interview with Reuters that the country is set to prohibit the recreational use of marijuana by the conclusion of this year while maintaining its authorization for medicinal purposes.
Since Thailand's historic move to legalize medicinal cannabis in 2018, followed by the decriminalization of recreational use in 2022, a burgeoning cannabis industry has emerged, with an estimated value of up to $1.2 billion anticipated by next year.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the hurried implementation of regulatory measures, which were swiftly introduced within a week of the decriminalization. In response, the government has drafted comprehensive legislation to govern the usage of cannabis, expected to come into effect by the year's end.
Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew disclosed that the proposed bill will undergo cabinet review next month before progressing to parliament for approval before the year's end.
Cholnan emphasized the necessity of a regulatory framework to prevent the misuse of cannabis, particularly in recreational contexts, citing potential adverse effects on Thai youth and the risk of gateway substance use.
The absence of overarching legislation has been attributed to the previous administration's failure to enact laws governing cannabis use before last May's general election, leaving a regulatory void.
The forthcoming law will also discourage illicit cannabis operations and home cultivation, with regulations stipulating permission for cultivation, particularly for medical and healthcare purposes.
Penalties outlined in the draft law include fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,700) for recreational use, along with potential jail terms and fines for individuals involved in the sale, advertisement, or promotion of cannabis products.
Additionally, stricter penalties will be imposed for unlicensed cannabis cultivation, import, export, and commercial use, necessitating permits for such activities.
Acknowledging the economic potential of the cannabis industry, the government intends to provide businesses with a transitional period to adapt to the new regulations. Existing illegal cannabis establishments will have the opportunity to operate until their licenses expire, provided they adhere to the new guidelines, with the option to transition into legal cannabis clinics.
Moreover, Health Minister Cholnan assured that the regulatory changes would not impact tourism in Thailand.
