Thailand removes weed from the list of banned substances

Thailand on Thursday removed cannabis from the national list of banned drugs, becoming the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis. However, government officials warned that the move does not legalize recreational cannabis.

Under Thailand’s new regulations, growing and trading marijuana and hemp are no longer illegal. Restaurants and cafes are allowed to sell cannabis-infused food and beverages, but only if they contain no more than 0.2% THC. Products with higher THC concentrations are approved for medical use.

boosting economic growth

Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand’s health minister and deputy prime minister, told CNN before the policy reform was passed that legalizing cannabis will help boost economic growth and development in Thailand. However, he added that the non-medical use of high-THC cannabis is still not allowed under decriminalization.

“That’s a no,” Anutin said, referring to the legalization of recreational cannabis. “We still have laws that control the consumption, smoking, or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways.”

Thailand maintains strict penalties for recreational cannabis use. Under the country’s Public Health Act, smoking cannabis in public can be punished with a fine of around $800 and up to three months in prison.

“We [have always] emphasized the use of cannabis extracts and raw materials for medicinal purposes and for health,” said Anutin. “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.”

The health minister also warned tourists who might believe Thailand’s new stance on cannabis is an opportunity to simply enjoy weed. While cannabis tourism will be allowed for medicinal purposes, recreational use is still not allowed, especially in public places.

“Thailand will promote cannabis policy for medical purposes,” Anutin said. “If [tourists] If you are coming for medical treatment or health related products then that is not a problem but if you think you want to come to Thailand just because you have heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal… [or] Coming to Thailand to smoke free joints is wrong. Do not come. We will not welcome you if you come to this country just for that purpose.”

Pioneering cannabis reform in Asia

In 2018, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes. Two years later, Thailand’s cabinet approved changes to the country’s drug laws to allow the production and sale of medical marijuana, including cannabis flower. Last month, the Thai government announced that the country would remove cannabis from its list of banned substances and allow home-growing of an unlimited number of plants for medicinal purposes. At the same time, Anutin said the health and agriculture ministries would work together to distribute one million free cannabis plants to residents to grow at home for medicinal purposes.

“This will allow the people and the government to generate more than 10 billion baht (nearly $300 million annually) in revenue from marijuana and hemp,” Anutin said after the announcement. “Meanwhile, people can showcase their cannabis and hemp products and knowledge and sell their products nationwide.”

He added that the decriminalization of cannabis and initiatives such as the distribution of free plants will help fuel the growth and development of agriculture and commerce in Thailand.

“We expect the value of [the cannabis] industry will easily surpass $2 billion,” he told CNN, highlighting recent incentives such as working with the Department of Agriculture to distribute 1 million free cannabis plants to homes across the country. “Thailand, I’ve been told, is one of the best places to grow cannabis plants.”

With Thailand’s new policy taking effect, the country on Thursday planned to release about 3,000 prisoners jailed on marijuana or hemp-related crimes. However, law enforcement appear keen to continue the past strict ban. Just last week, police in eastern Chonburi province arrested a 56-year-old woman for growing a potted cannabis plant that plainclothes police officers saw growing through her bedroom window in her home. Her husband later said the woman had high blood pressure and diabetes, so the couple grew the plant to add to their food. The health secretary said the four officers involved in the case had been reprimanded and disciplined.

“You have been warned and suspended. They didn’t follow the law we just introduced,” Anutin said. “Indeed we have to [educate] ordinary people and law enforcement, and let them know how far they can go in terms of using cannabis content… within the law. That’s what we tried to give as much information as possible to enlighten people.”