Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws – Cannabis News, Lifestyle

Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws will boost the country’s agriculture and tourism sectors, according to the deputy prime minister. While not fully legalized, Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws differs from other nation states. For example, the government has distributed 1 million cannabis plants to its population.

Thailand is the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis.

How Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws came about

Cannabis connoisseurs will be disappointed to hear that any plant with more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remains illegal. However, the rest of the plan is already looking better than, for example, Canada’s top-down corporate regime.

It’s odd that a conservative, Buddhist-majority country known for its tough laws on drug trafficking should suddenly take a small, liberal approach to cannabis.

Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws began with medicinal cannabis in 2018. Then politician-turned business mogul Anutin Charnvirakul took the next step. Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, campaigned for the legalization of cannabis cultivation so farmers could supplement their incomes.

Details on Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws

So is Thailand decriminalizing or legalizing? That depends on how you define these terms. Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws is certainly more like an American state like Colorado than the top-down bureaucracy implemented in Canada or planned for Germany.

In Thailand, you can use all parts of the cannabis plant without fear of criminal reprisals. Both individuals and companies are allowed to grow cannabis plants in private gardens and commercial farms.

Medical clinics can offer medicinal cannabis, and restaurants can offer cannabis-infused dishes and beverages. As long as they contain less than 0.2% THC.

Any cannabis that exceeds this 0.2% THC cap is still against the law. Recreational use is also prohibited. If the authorities catch you smoking cannabis, you will likely need medical proof or face a hefty jail sentence or substantial fines.

Benefits of Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws

Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws is consistent with the country’s history. Thais have used cannabis as a traditional medicine for centuries.

Due to the country’s year-round tropical climate, Thailand was once the “BC bud” of Asia. In the 1970s and 80s, Thailand supplied the region with cannabis until the US drug war went international.

Since then, like many Asian countries, Thailand has enforced a zero-tolerance policy. So it’s quite surprising that Thailand is relaxing its cannabis laws and sending a million plants to households for free (or at taxpayers’ expense).

According to Anutin Charnvirakul’s Facebook page, Thais don’t need permits to grow at home and there is no limit to the number of plants they can grow. As long as it serves medicinal purposes and the THC levels stay low. No Thai authorities have been able to explain how they will enforce the medical-recreational dichotomy. When millions of plants are grown, will the Thai authorities have the testing capabilities to verify THC levels?

After all, CBD smoke smells just as pungent as THC smoke.

Commercial companies still have to go through the country’s regulatory bureaucracy to offer cannabis products for sale. The Bangkok Post reported that the Thai government has received over 4,700 applications for a license to sell cannabis commercially.

Boost for tourism?

In addition to supporting farmers, Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws is an attempt to lure tourists to the kingdom. Tourism accounts for 6% of the country’s economy. Some estimates put tourism at 20% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The country is also Asia’s number one country for medical tourism. In 2018, it attracted over 2.5 million visitors, 90% of whom were there for gender reassignment surgery.

Sex tourism is a large part of the tourism industry, accounting for an estimated 3% of Thailand’s economy.

Thailand’s tourism economy suffered from the government’s response to Covid-19. Facts were made worse by the deputy prime minister blaming western tourists for bringing the bug into the country and not wearing masks.

As such, restaurants are excited at the prospect of infusing food and beverages with cannabis. Thai farmers are also excited about the opportunity of Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws.

While the 0.2% THC cap is daunting, the fact is that many jurisdictions start out with medical cannabis before moving on to legalizing recreational products. Many of the activities associated with Thailand’s sex tourism are illegal (although prostitution itself is not), yet many authorities tend to look the other way.

Will the same happen to cannabis tourism? Thailand’s relaxation of cannabis laws could successfully boost tourism and give the country an economic boost. In that case, how reluctant will the Thai authorities be to enforce THC limits?