Since June 2022, Thailand has been expanding into the cannabis industry, with many cannabis shops opening their doors. This has been a long-awaited victory for many people, especially those who have had their product and equipment confiscated. Within mere hours of being legalized, those who had their equipment taken have since received it back and have gotten back to work.
There is still some pushback with the now legalized cannabis. Having been one of the strictest countries concerning drugs, Thailand officials are still establishing laws and regulations regarding the use of cannabis. Selling to anyone who is under the age of 20, pregnant or breastfeeding is still banned at this time.
For those who are planning a trip, tourists must do their research before coming to Thailand, so they don’t inadvertently end up breaking the law. If someone were to smoke in public, they may end up in jail for three months with a $700 or more fine for being a “public nuisance.” While on vacation, tourists are able to participate in cannabis activities such as rolling workshops, brewing “weed tea,” or even “yoga on high” classes. When selling products, consumers are able to purchase a pre-rolled joint for 100 baht ($2.80) and edibles that contain 0.2% THC. There are also restaurants that make soup, curries and pizza with ganja leaves. This has caused some confusion when it comes to recreational use. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied that recreational use is legal, even though the FDA contemplates setting up designated areas where tourists are freely able to light up.
With mixed signals, many cannabis business owners are worried that the newly legalized cannabis may become illegal again with the next elections in May 2023. This gives political candidates a platform to speak on, whether they are in favor or not. They are able to create regulations about who can sell, buy or even consume cannabis. Awaiting clarification, many business owners are postponing further expansion, including the largest cannabis festival that was supposed to take place in November 2022.
As further clarification is outlined, we will continue to update on whether or not Thailand will become the “Amsterdam of Asia.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/world/asia/thailand-weed-cannabis-law.html
https://time.com/6208192/thailand-war-on-drugs-weed-legal/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/4ax5dd/thailand-cannabis-legalization
