Thailand to crack down on recreational cannabis use, new law proposes

Thailand is set to end its brief experiment with recreational cannabis use, as a new draft law aims to restrict the sector to medical applications only. The law, if passed, would introduce significant legal and regulatory changes that would affect thousands of cannabis businesses and consumers.

The new draft law, which is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval next month, would ban all non-medical cannabis use in Thailand, and impose strict rules and penalties for the cultivation, distribution, and consumption of the plant. The law would also limit the sale of smokable cannabis to medical purposes only, and require all cannabis products to undergo testing and labeling for quality and safety.

The law would effectively reverse the legalization of recreational cannabis use that took place in mid-2022, when Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to allow the growing and use of cannabis in food and drinks. The legalization was championed by former public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who envisioned a lucrative cannabis industry that would boost the economy and health of the nation.

However, the legalization also created a legal gray area and a regulatory vacuum, as the government failed to establish clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms for the cannabis sector. As a result, a booming recreational market emerged, with an estimated 20,000 cannabis shops, dispensaries, and other businesses opening across the country, offering a wide range of cannabis products, some of which exceeded the legal limit of 0.2% THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

Reasons behind the crackdown on recreational cannabis use

The current public health minister, Cholnan Srikaew, who belongs to the Pheu Thai Party, said that the new law was necessary to regulate the cannabis sector and prevent the misuse and abuse of the plant. He said that recreational cannabis use had a negative impact on the health and well-being of Thai people, especially children and young adults.

“Without the law to regulate cannabis it will be misused,” Cholnan told Reuters in an interview. “The misuse of cannabis has a negative impact on Thai children. In the long run it could lead to other drugs.”

Cholnan also cited the social and environmental concerns of cannabis production and consumption, such as energy use, water consumption, waste management, and social equity. He said that the government wanted to promote the medical use of cannabis, which was legalized in 2018, and support the research and development of cannabis-based medicines and products.

The new law also reflects the political sentiment and public opinion in Thailand, which have shifted against recreational cannabis use since the legalization in 2022. Many political parties, including the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, have pledged to tighten the cannabis laws and crack down on the recreational market. Many Thai people have also expressed their worries and disapproval of the widespread and unregulated use of cannabis, especially among the youth.

Impacts and challenges of the new law

The new law, if passed, would have significant impacts and challenges for the cannabis industry and consumers in Thailand, such as:

• The closure or transformation of thousands of cannabis shops and businesses, which would have to comply with the new regulations or face legal consequences. The law would also affect the livelihoods and incomes of many people involved in the cannabis sector, from farmers to retailers.
• The loss or reduction of access and choice for recreational cannabis consumers, who would have to obtain a medical prescription or turn to the illicit market to obtain cannabis products. The law would also affect the tourism industry, which has benefited from the influx of cannabis-seeking visitors.
• The potential increase in the demand and supply of medical cannabis, which would require more investment and infrastructure to meet the quality and safety standards. The law would also create opportunities for international collaboration and innovation in the medical cannabis field.
• The difficulty and complexity of enforcing the new law, which would require more resources and coordination from the authorities and the stakeholders. The law would also have to deal with the existing legal and logistical challenges of cannabis regulation, such as the federal prohibition, the international drug trafficking routes, and the competition and coexistence with the illicit market.