Cannabis from Thailand | Fifth Ave Green House

From boom to uncertainty: The evolving cannabis landscape in Thailand

In recent years, Thailand's cannabis business has experienced spectacular ups and downs. The country decriminalized cannabis in 2022, leading to a rise in recreational use and the growth of the cannabis business. But with this rapid transformation came a lack of regulations, raising questions and suggesting a shift to a purely medical paradigm.

A shift from strict prohibition to decriminalization

There is detailed information about the use of cannabis in medicinal and spiritual practice in Thailand.

But in the 1930s, in response to foreign pressure, the country imposed a strict prohibition policy. This law, which imposed harsh penalties for both possession and cultivation of cannabis, remained in force for decades. At least until the early 2000s, when the policy was changed.

Research into medical marijuana became increasingly popular and attitudes towards cannabis in general began to change. Thailand was the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical marijuana in 2018, opening the door to the development and production of cannabis-based medicines. This measure made it possible to fully decriminalize cannabis in 2022. However, the lack of regulation resulted from the inability of parliament to agree to a bill that would have imposed restrictions on its use. Due to a disagreement in parliament, cannabis was decriminalized without the necessary legal framework.

However, after decriminalization, there were few regulations, resulting in a thriving but largely unregulated industry with thousands of cannabis products sold in about 6,000 outlets. Concerns about this situation prompted the newly formed government to rethink policy after the August election. Seetha Taliesin, the prime minister of an 11-party coalition government, declared her intention to roll back the 2022 cannabis laws and focus exclusively on medical uses and addressing the pervasive drug problems.

The proposed changes include restricting cannabis and related products to medicinal and health purposes, banning recreational use, and punishing violators with heavy fines or prison sentences. The government has said it will revise the law within six months of taking office, and this change of course is in line with its opposition to recreational cannabis use. The draft bill is currently being considered by the Cabinet and must be approved by Parliament to become law.

*The decision to decriminalize was motivated by several objectives:

To boost the economy: The government envisioned a thriving cannabis business that would create new jobs and generate tax revenue.

Medical use: Patients with chronic diseases could live longer if they had easier access to medical marijuana.

Reducing incarceration: The goal of decriminalization was to reduce the burden on the legal system and the number of people incarcerated for marijuana-related crimes.

Due to decriminalization, there is now a de facto legal cannabis market. Dispensaries have opened across the country, especially in popular tourist destinations. Businesses have seen the opportunity and cannabis-infused foods, spas and cannabis cafes have sprung up.

The Wild West of Weed: A Market Without Regulations

The lack of regulation after decriminalization brought with it a number of challenges. Here is a closer look at some of the main problems:

Uncontrolled quality and effectiveness:

The THC content and general quality of cannabis products were not well known to consumers. Health risks existed due to possible contaminants or surprisingly high THC levels in some products.

Public concerns about consumption:

Thai culture is traditionally conservative, so the increasing visibility of cannabis use in public was concerning. It is possible that tourists may have inadvertently broken the rule, unaware of their limits. The potential impact on tourism as well as public decency has been raised.

Consistency on the black market:

The uncontrolled cannabis market has allowed unlicensed businesses to flourish and offer cannabis at lower costs, hindering the expansion of the legal cannabis industry. In addition, organized crime has been able to take advantage of lax regulations. The Ups and Downs: The Impact of Decriminalization on Thailand*** The decriminalization of cannabis has had both positive and negative consequences for Thailand. Here is a breakdown of the impacts:

**Positive impact:**

Economic boom: The cannabis business grew rapidly, creating new jobs in processing, retail, tourism and cultivation. This economic boom was particularly felt in rural areas, where farmers were able to generate additional income through cannabis cultivation.

Medical benefits: Medical marijuana has become more readily available to patients with epilepsy, chronic pain, and other conditions, and has the potential to improve their quality of life. Research into the medical use of cannabis has also increased significantly.

Social change: In Thailand, decriminalization sparked a discussion about changing drug laws. It challenged conventional wisdom about cannabis and paved the way for a more sophisticated drug policy strategy.

**Negative effects:**

Public concerns: The uncontrolled public consumption of cannabis in Thailand led to conflicts with traditional social norms. There were fears about the normalization of drug use and possible harm to children.

Tourism uncertainty: The legality of cannabis use confuses visitors, which could impact revenue from tourism, a key pillar of the Thai economy.

Health risks: Due to a lack of quality controls, there is an increased risk of consuming contaminated or potent cannabis products, which can have negative health effects.

**A course correction: Thailand's turn to medical cannabis**

Thailand is currently considering a comprehensive change to its cannabis laws to address the problems posed by the unrestricted recreational use of cannabis. At the end of 2023, the government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presented legislative proposals with the following goals:

Re-criminalize recreational consumption: The bill would reinstate the ban on recreational cannabis use. Possession and use of cannabis for purposes other than medicinal purposes would result in fines or possible prison sentences.

Stricter regulations: The government will enact stricter laws governing the cultivation, export and sale of medical marijuana, including THC content restrictions, licensing requirements and quality control procedures.

Focus on the medical benefits: The focus now is on developing cannabis-based medicines for a range of ailments through research and development, which could include collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and increased government funding of clinical trials.

What does the future hold? The uncertainties of the Thai cannabis market

The future of the Thai cannabis market remains uncertain. The proposed transition to a medical model is facing resistance from various stakeholders:

Owners of cannabis cafes and dispensaries fear that their businesses would be seriously damaged by new regulations, arguing that a thriving medical cannabis industry could coexist alongside a well-regulated recreational cannabis market.

Proponents of medical cannabis: Some medical marijuana advocates fear that restrictions on access and THC concentrations could make it harder for patients to get the cannabis they need to treat their illnesses.

Public opinion: Opinions are divided on the proposed improvements. While some Thais favor a return to more traditional methods, others favor a controlled recreational market in addition to medical marijuana use.

The government's ability to balance these competing interests and create a fair regulatory framework will likely determine the outcome. Here are some possible outcomes:

Strict medical model: The proposed legislation will be effectively enforced by the government and will result in a tightly regulated medical cannabis market with limited access for recreational use.

Hybrid model: An agreement is reached that allows for both a thriving medical cannabis industry and a regulated recreational market. Comprehensive regulation would be needed to address public concerns and ensure responsible consumption.

Delayed implementation: There will be strong opposition to the new law, which could lead to delays or changes before it comes into force.

Diploma:

The cannabis industry in Thailand has experienced rapid change and unpredictability. Although the initial surge was caused by decriminalization, concerns about the lack of restrictions have led to a potential evolution toward a purely medical paradigm. The next few months and years will be very important in determining how Thailand's cannabis business fares in the long term. Other countries considering similar reforms can learn a lot from Thailand's experience with cannabis legalization. It is crucial to strike a balance between social concerns, public health and economic opportunity.

Sources

Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime:
https://globalinitiative.net/a…

Channel News Asia: https://www.channelnewsasia.co…