Thailand has taken a significant step towards regulating its burgeoning cannabis industry by introducing a new bill aimed at steering marijuana use toward medical and health-related purposes. This move comes after the country’s 2022 decision to decriminalize cannabis, making it the first nation in Asia to take such a bold step. The new draft bill, released earlier this week by the Ministry of Public Health, is seen as a more measured approach than previous proposals. It arrives just days after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration took office. This legislation allows for the use of cannabis and its extracts for medical treatment and research by state agencies, while also permitting its use in herbal remedies, food products, and cosmetics.
One of the key aspects of the bill is the absence of a clause explicitly outlawing recreational cannabis use, a provision that was included in an earlier draft under former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The new version also abandons previous efforts to reclassify cannabis as a “narcotic.” This shift marks a significant departure from the stance taken by the ruling Pheu Thai Party during last year’s national elections. While Pheu Thai initially pledged to restrict cannabis use to medical purposes over addiction concerns, opposition from the Bhumjaithai Party, a key coalition partner, has resulted in the plant remaining legal. Despite this more lenient approach, penalties for those who use cannabis outside the bill’s defined uses remain substantial. Individuals caught using cannabis for purposes not specified in the legislation will face fines of up to 60,000 baht (approximately $1,803). Sellers of cannabis products not adhering to the law face even harsher penalties, including a possible one-year jail term, fines of up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Thailand’s decriminalization of cannabis in 2022 sparked a rapid rise in the number of cannabis dispensaries across the country, exceeding 9,400, particularly in popular tourist destinations and business hubs such as Bangkok. With this new bill, the government seeks to implement tighter control over this burgeoning industry, requiring all cannabis growers, sellers, and related businesses to apply for licenses or permits. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines or jail terms. The draft legislation also calls for stricter regulations on the planting, sale, export, and import of cannabis. Businesses producing cannabis-infused goods, such as candies and baked goods, will be required to adhere to the current law, which mandates that these products contain no more than 0.2% THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for cannabis’ “high” effect.
The public and industry stakeholders have until September 30 to submit their feedback on the draft legislation. The Ministry of Public Health will review the input and may make changes before presenting the bill to the cabinet. From there, it will head to parliament for approval, where it could still face further debate and revisions.
