An Update on Thailand’s Legalization
Written by: Aly K. Benson
AKB is a biracial indigenous media personality & digital strategy consultant in the Canadian cannabis industry based out of Abbotsford, BC.
The last year has seen a major shift in the way governments around the world are starting to view cannabis. Countries like Canada, Uruguay, South Africa, and various European countries have all taken steps to legalize the drug. Most recently, as of June 9th, 2022, Thailand was the first nation in Asia to legalize recreational cannabis. The change in legislation also included the removal of cannabis from the Category 5 narcotics list by the Thai Food and Drug Administration. Because of Asia’s tendency to have harsh laws over substances, this could mean the start of a new era of cannabis legalization.
Thailand has long been known for its strict drug laws, but the government has recently shown a willingness to reconsider its stance on cannabis. In 2018, the country’s National Legislative Assembly voted to legalize the drug for medical use and make advances in the decriminalization realm as well. Since then, the government has continued to move forward with plans to legalize cannabis for medical and research purposes. In 2019, the government approved the first licenses for cannabis research and cultivation, paving the way for the development of a domestic medical cannabis industry - and eventually, recreational use.
Caption: The Beach hotel on Koh Samui island opened the region's first on-site "herbal dispensary.”
Thailands Prime Minister is Guiding Change
Recently, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced plans to legalize cannabis for recreational use in 2022. He has made it quite evident, cannabis legalization is one of the government's top priorities. This move is seen as a major step forward for the country, as it would make Thailand the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize cannabis. The Prime Minister believes that the move could help to reduce crime, create jobs, and increase government revenue (regardless of the 0.2% THC limit).
Legalization Development
Earlier this year, Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul projected to generate a revenue of over 10 billion baht per year (approx. 284.9 million USD) from cannabis and hemp sales.
Despite this progress, the full legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes remains a contentious issue in Thailand. For example, consuming edibles is acceptable, though consuming cannabis publically is very much still illegal, and can result in serious consequences for tourists and locals. Now, this doesn’t mean tourists cannot consume recreational products, just be cautious of doing so outside of private areas. The government is strongly pushing forward medical over recreational use and even has a potential 25,000 baht (approx. $700 USD) fine and a 3-month jail sentence for consuming in public.
Another development for cannabis Thailand is the limitations on product types and potency. Don’t expect to find high percentages of THC in Thailand, at least for now.
Similarly to Canada’s pre-recreational regulations, only licensed medical patients in Thailand can grow at home and consume in whatever way is needed. However, with the success of the medical cannabis program and the ongoing efforts to reform drug laws, it is clear that the country is moving in a direction that is more accepting of cannabis.
The progress of cannabis legalization in Thailand has been significant in recent years. The government has legalized medical cannabis and is taking steps to reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of the drug. While full legalization for recreational purposes remains a contentious issue, the progress that has been made so far is encouraging and suggests that further progress is possible in the future. Nevertheless, Thailand’s initiation is a milestone and opened the door for further progress in the realm of cannabis legalization.
Did you know White Ash Group is a proud partner with Thai cannabis companies? Browse our job board for opportunities in Thailand HERE.