Thailand decriminalizes marijuana, but recreational use is still illegal

Through Jelena Martinovic

Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalize marijuana on Thursday, CNN Travel reported.

Now that cannabis has been removed from the Category 5 banned narcotics list, Thais can legally grow cannabis plants at home and sell the harvest, a move the government hopes will boost agriculture and tourism.

Photo by Dan Freeman via Unsplash

RELATED: Thailand is giving away a million cannabis plants

In 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes. However, as recreational use of cannabis is still banned in the country, penalties remain for those who use the plant to get high, Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

Anyone caught smoking in public faces up to three months in prison and a $800 fine. However, as of Friday, possession of cannabis will not result in an arrest, according to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Recreational use is still “a no”

Charnvirakul, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, recently warned that recreational use is still “a no”.

“We still have laws that control consumption, smoking, or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways,” he said. “There has never been a moment when we have thought about getting people to use cannabis recreationally – or to use it in a way that might irritate others.”

Interestingly, Charnvirakul recently announced that his ministry plans to give away one million marijuana plants.

Now that cannabis decriminalization has come into effect, 1,000 cannabis plants will be distributed free of charge to the people of Buri Ram starting Friday, the Bangkok Post reported. The giveaway lasts until Sunday, Charnvirakul added.

While the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, recently said that even smoke and smell can be a reason for officials to tell people to stop smoking cannabis, decriminalization allows parts of the plant to be used to treat a disease. Additionally, cafes and restaurants are free to serve cannabis-infused food and beverages that contain less than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

“The Ministry has submitted a letter to the Consumer Protection Agency [OCPB] Enact laws preventing people from using cannabis and hemp for recreational activities,” said Keeratihattayakorn, reported Nation Thailand.

RELATED: Japan is considering legalizing medical marijuana and criminalizing recreational use

Photo by Darren Lawrence of Pexels

How to apply for a cannabis cultivation permit

So far, over 100,000 aspiring cannabis growers have registered through the Plook Ganja website and mobile application, Thaiger reported.

RELATED: Will Thailand Become the Next Cannabis Tourism Hotspot?

In order to be permitted to grow cannabis or hemp at home, growers must notify the country’s FDA of their intentions. You can apply in two ways, either through the “Plook Ganja” (“Grow Cannabis”) mobile application – for IOS and Android users – or through the “Plook Ganja” website.

Earlier this week, Thailand’s FDA released guidelines for the cultivation, importation, and possession of marijuana.

In addition, more than 3,000 people convicted of cannabis-related drug offenses will be released from prison across the country. The Department of Justice recently said that ongoing cannabis-related trials and incarcerations will be canceled after the plant was decriminalized.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.