Today, the Thai government delisted marijuana from its list of prohibited substances, making it the first nation in Asia to do so.
On Thursday, Thailand delisted marijuana from its list of prohibited substances, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. However, government representatives issued a warning that the decision did not legalize cannabis for recreational use.
The cultivation and trade of marijuana and hemp are no longer prohibited under Thailand’s new laws. Restaurants and cafes will be able to offer cannabis-infused dishes and drinks as long as the THC content is under 0.2 percent. Higher THC product concentrations are acceptable for medical use.
Growing the Economy
Before the policy change was put into effect, Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s deputy prime minister and minister of health, told CNN that legalizing marijuana will help the country’s economy thrive and prosper. But he emphasized that decriminalization still forbids the non-medical use of cannabis with a high THC content.
In reference to the legalization of cannabis for recreational use, Anutin reacted, “It’s a no.” “We still have legal restrictions that limit using cannabis products inharmful ways, including as smoking or consuming them.”
Thailand continues to impose severe penalties on cannabis use for recreational purposes. According to the nation’s Public Health Act, cannabis smoking in public can result in a fine of up to $800 and up to three months in jail.
Anutin stated, “We [have always] prioritized using cannabis extractions and raw ingredients for health and medical objectives.”
Leading the Way in Asian Cannabis Reform
Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis for medical purposes in 2018. Two years later, the Thai cabinet authorized changes to the nation’s drug laws that permit the cultivation and distribution of cannabis flower for medical purposes. The Thai government declared last month that cannabis would no longer be included on its list of prohibited narcotics and that it would be legal to grow an unlimited number of plants at home for medical purposes. Anutin also said that one million free cannabis plants would be sent to citizens for personal home cultivation of the plant for medical purposes by the health and agricultural ministries.
Anutin remarked after making the news, “This will allow citizens and the government to gain more than 10 billion baht (almost $300 million yearly) in money from marijuana and hemp.” Meanwhile, people can promote their knowledge of cannabis and hemp as well as their goods and sell them across the country.
The legalizing of cannabis and programs like the distribution of free plants, he continued, will support Thailand’s agricultural and commercial growth.
He told CNN, citing recent incentives like working with the Agriculture Ministry to give away 1 million free cannabis plants to homes across the nation, “We expect the value of [the cannabis] market will easily approach $2 billion dollars.” According to what I’ve heard, Thailand is one of the greatest countries for growing cannabis plants.
