Legalaew: Thailand’s Woodstock | high times

Thailand’s politicians mistakenly believed they could enact cannabis regulations before removing the plant from their list of narcotics. The deadline came and went, and on June 11-12, a two-day event was held entitled “Legalaev,” which translates to “already legal.”

When I arrived at the Highland event I didn’t know what to expect. I had visited Chopaka earlier in the day to purchase my first gram of legal flower. Thought I’d treat myself and settled on a Gram End Game for almost $30. Prices are likely to drop once the hype dies down a bit. But I have to say it’s some of the highest quality bud I’ve acquired in the Land of Smiles.

Chopaka / Courtesy of Louis Levey

Thailand has come a long way from compressed – yet impressively potent – ​​brick weed tied with bright red yarn. And I suspect that with more influence from abroad, even more high-quality herbs will hit the shelves nationwide.

Ominous clouds and heavy rain marked the first hours of Legalaew. Shoulder to shoulder under a large white tent with other passionate consumers, I wondered if the event would actually take place.

An hour later the rain subsided and the skunky scent of perfectly cured ganja filled the air. With no laws surrounding the facility and laws on public nuisance remaining the only tool to monitor consumption, it was almost an absolutely free-for-all experience, full of good vibes and smiling faces.

Courtesy of Louis Levey

The only thing stickier than the smoked herb was the mud and sand beneath our feet. It was caked with rain and everyone watched her steps.

The event took place in the middle of Nakhon Pathom, about an hour and a half from central Bangkok. Joints and bongs were passed around freely and with no regard for consequences, which any consumer would appreciate.

This was by far the most freedom I’ve seen at a legal cannabis event, with the excitement becoming clearer with every step deeper inside. But not only consumers enjoyed the carefree atmosphere: Thai musicians performed live on the stage. Some wore traditional Rastafarian clothing. Others played traditional Thai instruments to accompany their ganja music.

Bloom was in attendance, his simple branding and bright tent easy to spot. They had various THC and CBD infused products available. Treekings OG had two booths, both selling snacks and lit up with neon lights after dark. OG Papers served up floral and Siamese style hemp papers.

OG Papers / Courtesy of Louis Levey

Interestingly, there was a massive installation of the traditional brick weed that is common throughout Thailand. Most of this sativa comes in through the borders.

Most who have experienced cannabis in Thailand have done so with brick bud. I would say that this reflects Thailand’s past and is important to remember as we move forward in this area.

Thai Weed Brick Installation / Courtesy of Louis Levey

I had the chance to speak to Weerachai, owner and operator of Bong Thai, who has been making bamboo bongs for the Bong Thai brand for the past three years. He and his wife Nilnapa sell their range of handmade bamboo bongs and tie-dye fabric products at cannabis events around the kingdom.

Since Thailand began changing its laws about two years ago, demand for its traditional Thai products has increased significantly.

“It’s different than it was two or three years ago,” he explained. “Now we’re selling a lot more than before,” he explained. “The first year we only sold 100, 200 or 300 baht [worth of bongs] per month. Then, in the second year, we started selling 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 baht [of goods] per month. Now we sell over 10,000 baht worth of bongs a month.”

Weerachai and Nilnapa by Bong Thai, courtesy of Louis Levey

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Kenny, Boom, and Broccoli from Kacha, a company that began producing cannabis concentrates at the start of the pandemic, right after vitamin E and heavy metals in low-quality vape cartridges struck fear in the hearts of terpene lovers worldwide had triggered .

“We started by saying that we should create a Thai brand that had no harmful fillers, no fillers and no heavy metals. All of them have to be checked by us here,” Kenny explained. “We check that the product is 100% clean and then move on.”

The Kacha team understands what it takes to establish a market that lacks education. They work tirelessly to support consumers in Thailand and outside the UK.

“We’re trying to build a market at the moment and we have several sales around the world, mostly in California. But first we need to build an idea here, a beautiful image of a Thai brand,” said Kenny. “We’re hosting events now. We hosted a sailing experience last month and used this product called Zenco which is a cannabis concentrate in a drinkable form. The yachting event was fun, successful and one of the premier cannabis yachting experiences in Pattaya and Thailand. Maybe we’ll host another one soon.”

Broccoli, Me and Kenny Talk Kacha and the Future of Cannabis Concentrates in Thailand / Courtesy Louis Levey

Equally important to mention is the rescue and first aid stand on site. You had some situations during Legalaew. Luckily none were too serious.

“It is our responsibility to make sure everyone is safe at the event,” said Head of Rescue & First Aid, Bank. “On day one we had a woman who cried and stood too high in the water after eating an infused brownie. We went in and got her out of the water, checked to make sure she was stable, but she was fine after that so we didn’t have to send her to the hospital.”

Keep smoking, Thailand!