Thailand’s cannabis policy is under scrutiny as the newly appointed health minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, announced plans to review the country’s approach to the plant. This move signals a potential u-turn in the country’s cannabis liberalization efforts, which made Thailand the first in Asia to decriminalize the plant in 2022.
Somsak, who previously served as justice minister under the administration of Prayuth Chan-Ocha, stated that the ministry is gathering public opinion to determine the extent of cannabis liberalization in Thailand. He emphasized that the issue should be carefully considered, balancing the potential benefits with concerns about public health and nuisance.
Somsak’s comments follow those of his predecessor, Cholnan Srikaew, who sought to ban recreational use of cannabis. However, a bill to this effect has been delayed amid bureaucratic processes and opposition from industry groups. The use of cannabis has become a highly politicized issue in Thailand, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also vowing to restrict its usage to medicinal purposes only.
The review of Thailand’s cannabis policy comes at a time when the country has seen a surge in the number of dispensaries and consumer-agro firms selling cannabis products. Under current decriminalization laws, cannabis products must not contain more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound that provides a “high” sensation, to be considered legal.
It remains to be seen whether Somsak will proceed with the bill to ban recreational cannabis use or scrap it in favor of re-criminalizing the plant. The outcome of the review will have significant implications for Thailand’s cannabis industry and its efforts to balance economic and social considerations.
